The Seeing Eye in Morristown is the oldest guide dog school in the world. The organization enhances the independence and dignity of visually-impaired individuals through the use of Seeing Eye® dogs.
The mobility, safety, and self-sufficiency that guide dogs provide their owners are life-changing, and several local families find that volunteering to raise the puppies until they are ready to begin their specialized training is a great way to “give back.” However, it’s a tough day when the families literally have to “give them back.”
George and Carol Krajewski of Mahwah have been raising Seeing Eye puppies since 1999. “We were just inducted into the ‘21 Club’ for raising 21 puppies,” says Carol. They belong to Caring Eyes, a Bergen County club made up of puppy raisers who foster the dogs from the age of 7 weeks to 16 months.
They were introduced to the idea by one of George’s colleagues. “At the time, our kids were very young and they were afraid of dogs,” says Carol. “We taught them that the dog would eventually help someone and, of course, the kids learned to love them.”
Their adult daughter, Brooke, adopted one of the dogs they had raised several years ago. “Lucille” is half Yellow Lab and half Golden Retriever and served in the Seeing Eye’s breeding program. “The Seeing Eye needs to continue good lineage regarding the dog’s traits, size, and ability,” says Brooke. Lucille had three litters and is now enjoying her retirement.
Kevin and Karen Tully of Franklin Lakes are also members of Caring Eyes. Karen has been raising Seeing Eye dogs since she was a student at the University of Delaware and became interested in their puppy-raising club. “I always wanted a dog but wasn’t allowed to have one growing up. When I found out about the club at school, my parents allowed me to do it, as long as I kept my grades up,” says Karen.
The Seeing Eye uses Labrador retrievers, German shepherds, and Labrador/golden retriever crossbreeds. The Tullys alternate which breeds they raise. “They have very different characteristics,” says Karen. “Labs are happy-go-lucky and the German shepherds are calm and faithful; always by your side.”
Kiley Tully, 13, is a vice-president of Caring Eyes and plays an active role in raising the family’s puppies. They sleep in her room and she is responsible for walks and baths. When asked how she gets a 70-pound dog in their bathtub, Kiley laughs and answers “I bribe them with a treat!” The Tully family currently raises a German shepherd named Dobbs, and Capp, a Lab/golden crossbreed.
Twenty-two puppies (and their people) come together for lively club meetings where they focus on socialization and basic obedience training.
Socialization trips have been a major component of the group’s activities. “We’ve taken 24 dogs to visit the Statue of Liberty,” says Carol. “We've also traveled into New York City on busses to Rockefeller Center and the American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog. We’ve taken them through security at Newark Airport and visited Grand Central Station, too.” The dogs need to become accustomed to commuting and travel environments so they can accompany their future owners anywhere. The group has also gone bowling, played mini-golf, and attended hayrides, collegiate sporting events, and dance performances—all with their canine companions.
These lucky pups also accompany their families on special outings. “For my daughter’s birthday, Dobbs went with us to see “Frozen” on Broadway followed by dinner at Sardi’s, where he was a very welcome guest,” says Karen.
The group makes a point of creating awareness for The Seeing Eye organization. “We find that every time we take the dogs out, we become ambassadors for The Seeing Eye,” says Carol. “People want to pet the dogs and ask questions. We always explain that you can pet the puppies (ask first) but when the dog is working in-harness, you should not distract or touch it.
COVID-19 has brought about many changes to the group’s meetings as well as the Morristown training program. Typically, the dogs are returned to The Seeing Eye at about 16 months of age for their intensive training as guide dogs. However, due to the pandemic, training took a hiatus and the dogs were transferred back into foster care until reopening. Upon completing their training, “graduating” dogs will participate in a Town Walk to demonstrate their skills while their proud raisers observe--usually with tears in their eyes.
The club helps to share the life-changing benefits that a guide dog can provide its owner, and puppy-raisers understand that the dogs move on to be well cared for and enjoy a meaningful life. This makes it a little easier to return the dog when it’s time to part ways.
“It’s tough to give the dog back,” says Karen. “We like to overlap a new puppy with an older dog so that we still have one when the other leaves us. Raising puppies is a great way to pay it forward.”
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