Life-changing.
That is exactly how psychologist Susan Pomerantz describes her Seeing Eye dog, Logan.
Dr. Susan Pomerantz is a former government intelligence analyst who became a practicing psychologist working in Manhattan. Susan has been through many big transitions. She was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, which caused her to lose her sight and her independence. She got her independence back when she met Logan, a Seeing Eye dog. Logan now helps her navigate trains, subways, and the streets of New York. He is with her at work, at lunch, and even at the yoga studio. Logan has given Susan the confidence to explore new places on her own again. Together, they are an extraordinary team.
"Logan is amazing. ...I'm basically free to do anything I want now because I don't have to worry. I don't have fear, and now I'm free to live my life."
As the oldest guide dog school in the world, The Seeing Eye has a long tradition of enhancing the independence of people like Susan through specially bred and trained Seeing Eye dogs.
That's why we need to know that you stand behind our mission. We are committed to empowering people who are blind by providing Seeing Eye dogs.
You can make a difference by pledging to follow these tips to help keep guide dog teams safe. Take action today by signing this pledge.
- Always keep your pet away from a guide dog, even if your dog is leashed. Staying a safe distance away helps the guide dog remain focused on its work.
- Never grab a guide dog's harness or leash. Instead, ask the person if they need assistance.
- Never try to pet, feed, talk or call out to a guide dog.
- Know and obey your state and local leash laws. In many states, it's a crime to allow your dog to interfere with or harm a guide dog.
- Report any loose dogs roaming about in your neighborhood to the local police and animal control offices. Pets left tied and unsupervised in public places should also be reported.
- Do not honk, call out to or otherwise try to signal to a team that is waiting to cross a street. This is distracting and disruptive to the team who have been trained to determine when it is safe to cross.
