On September 15, a hundred dogs and their owners marched through the streets of Winnetka in an event for all ages held by The Hadley School for the Blind.
Residents from Winnetka, Kenilworth, Wilmette and beyond made the 1.5 mile trek around downtown Winnetka before returning to Hadley for refreshments provided by Starbucks. Pledges and donations brought in more than $15,000 to support Hadley’s Guide Dog course, which details the history of guide dogs, responsibilities of guide dog owners and contact information for the major guide dog schools in the US.
“It is incredible to observe this community come alive with the greatest enthusiasm for this event,” said Chuck Young, president of The Hadley School for the Blind.
Students can take the guide dog course in the format of their choice. Like other Hadley courses, it is offered in braille, large print, audio cassette, or online, allowing students to study at a time and in a place most convenient to them.
“Getting a guide dog is a very personal choice for someone who is blind or visually impaired,” said Susan Dennison, director of development and communications. “While owning a dog can offer great freedom, you have to consider the care and responsibility of owning such a dog. Hadley wanted to design a course that objectively presented information to our students on what owning a guide dog is all about so they could make the decision that was right for them.”
A big thank you to our sponsors: Chase Bank, Green Bay Animal Hospital, Noah’s Ark Pet Store, Pioneer Press, Starbucks and Wilmette Bicycle and Sport Shop.
Copyright © 2009 The Hadley School for the Blind. All rights reserved.
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