RVers volunteer at Guide Dogs for the Blind

Wayne and Sarah Gabel are from Damascus, Oregon. They've been volunteers with Guide Dogs for the Blind for six years. Sarah says they've been foster parents to over 45 dogs ove the years so they very much enjoy working with this program.They prepare food for over 150 dogs in various stages of training. New arrivals have been in training in peoples homes since they were puppies so when they are introduced to the school they are a little disoriented. That's where Wayne comes in with "canine cuddling" where he goes into the pen of new arrivals and just holds them and pets them for 15 minutes each day. This helps the dogs adjust to their new environment and gives them needed human contact.

Once these dogs (all Labrador breeds) are finished with their training they are assigned to their new owners who themselves undergo training with their new partners.

If you would like to raise a puppy, donate to the program or take a tour at the California or Oregon campus you'll find more information here: Guide Dogs for the Blind
Thank you Wayne and Sarah for giving of yourselves to help man's best friend help us. Jim Twamley, Professor of RVing