Trip Report

Thirty-four members and eight guests visited the inspiring national training facility of Guide Dogs for the Blind in Boring, OR. Our visit started with a tour of the impressive campus. Guides gave a comprehensive view of the operations and facilities, augmented with insights from their long-term volunteer experiences. The tour was followed by Graduation Ceremonies. Nine individuals received dogs. Each dog recipient and each puppy raiser spoke. These heart-warming presentations left few on the stage or in the audience with dry eyes. The volunteer puppy raisers receive the dogs when they are about eight weeks old and keep them until they are approximately 14 to 18 months of age. During this period some training takes place. The finish training at Boring is usually about five months. Then there is a four-week training program of the team, the new owner and their dog. There was a slide show outlining the training and a history of the program. A handler and dog guide work demonstration followed. Excellent weather allowed lunch at Barton County S.P. with Views of the Clackamas River.

Participating were guests Jean Blankenship, Barbara Hottle, Pat Peterson, Carole Sherbina, Pauline Sievers, Emil Smith, Dottie & Ed Sullivan and Obsidians Ethel Allen, Ewart Baldwin, Louise Behnke, Marian Borchardt, Mary Bridgeman, Ingrid Carmichael, Mary Lee Cheadle, Kent Christoferson, Judy Dobel, Rosemary Etter, Margaret Fea, Rachele Fiszman, Dora Harris, Evelyn Hile, Kess Hottle, Margaret Huston, Pat Jeffries, Rosella Jones, Marcia Jordan, Ben Kirk, Gloria Layden, Dodie Leppmann, John & Lenore McManigal, Joyce Mixer, Liz Rainier, Jean Ridone, Nan Smith, Janet Speelman, Millard Thomas, Birgitte Williams, Vera Woolley and leaders Ben Jeffries & Ray Jensen.