Veterinary Science Technology majors Jenda Kwiatkowski and Jillian Robinson are raising a seeing-eye service puppy on campus at SUNY Delhi as part of the college’s partnership with Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Their charge, “Chandler” is an 11 month old male Labrador retriever who accompanies the students to classes, dining halls and other campus facilities.
Kwiatkowski, a Syracuse native says she chose to raise a puppy for Guiding Eyes for the Blind because she had previous experience training therapy dogs. “I welcomed the challenges raising a service dog would bring,” says Jenda. “I also wanted to give back to the community. But since I committed to be a puppy raiser, it turned into so much more. I have met people both in and out of the Guiding Eyes program, and Chandler has already reached hundreds of people, both adults and children. He touches people in ways I never could, and I feel incredibly fortunate to be the person standing at the end of his leash.”
Dr. Meckel, lead instructor for the program, says that the guiding eye dog training is an excellent learning opportunity for the students. “It’s also a great way to teach the campus community about the important role of service dogs. Dr. Meckel says the college has been participating in the program since 2016. Chandler is the third dog to be raised on the SUNY Delhi campus.
Faculty and staff from across campus volunteer as “puppy sitters,” specially-trained individuals who watch the puppy for short periods when the students cannot be with them.
“Chandler has been a calm, cool collected pup since the day we met,” says Jenda and hopes that his behavioral assessment will determine if he goes on to “doggie college,” aka the Canine Development Center to be a guide dog. “He’s always been a quiet guy who likes to sit and observe his surroundings and just think things through. He’s the type of pup who will check in with his handler if he questions something, rather than have a complete melt down. I knew from the day we met that he was going to grow into an incredible dog!”
30 Days of Giving 2017:
- Day 1: Shopping with a Smile
- Day 2: Erie Community College Cook-Off for Kidneys
- Day 3: Stony Brook Medicine Helps in Puerto Rico
- Day 4: A Day of Service at Onondaga CC
- Day 5: New Paltz Students Make a Difference
- Day 6: Buffalo State College Dares to Care
- Day 7: Niagara County CC Students Lend A Hand for Thanksgiving
- Day 8: Old Westbury Helps Haiti
- Day 9: A Day of Service at SUNY Potsdam
- Day 10: Helping Animals at Hudson Valley Community College
- Day 11: FIT Students Help the Homeless
- Day 12: Morrisville Athletes Go Local For Service
- Day 13: SUNY Poly Gives Back Throughout the Region
- Day 14: SUNY Oswego Honors Those Battling Ovarian Cancer
- Day 15: Brockport Students Volunteer at Thanksgiving
- Day 16: SUNY ESF Sends Acorns to Action
- Day 17: Doors Open at the Columbia-Greene Community College Giving Closet
- Day 18: Monroe Community College Helps Walk for Water
- Day 19: SUNY Cortland Supports Crop Hunger Walk
- Day 20: Making Music at Farmingdale State to Help the Hungry
- Day 21: Increasing Food Security at Dutchess Community College
- Day 22: Addressing Food Insecurity On and Around SUNY Geneseo
- Day 23: Westchester Community College Plays the UnHunger Games
- Day 24: Binghamton University Builds University Assisted Community Schools
- Day 25: Mohawk Valley Community College Gives Back To Their Community
- Day 26: SUNY Oneonta Students Help Area Children Learn
- Day 27: Rockland Community College Comes Together to Aid Puerto Rico
- Day 28: Empire State College Donates to Caribbean Relief
- Day 29: Schenectady County Community College Students Provide Support to Foster Families
- Day 30: Raising Guiding Eyes at SUNY Delhi
