Putnam County-based Guiding Eyes for the Blind is growing to better serve consumers in the U.S. and internationally.
The nonprofit has been breeding, raising and training puppies for the blind and visually impaired for 56 years. Its Putnam county location is about to get bigger, thanks to an ongoing capital campaign to raise $7.8 million to double the size of its Canine Development Center in Patterson
The three-stage plan for doubling the size of the center from 16,000 square feet to 30,000 square feet has already begun on its 30 acre property. The expansion is funded solely by contributions from individual donations, corporations, foundations and organizations.
Phase 1 of the three-year plan broke ground on June 11 for its whelping kennel and outdoor enrichment site. Phase 2, scheduled for 2012, will be a new breeding and puppy socialization kennel, a two-story building that will devote its first floor to adult dogs ready to be placed and its second floor to puppies getting ready to go home with puppy-raisers.
The final phase will be started in 2013, when Guiding Eyes plans to double the size of its existing veterinary hospital to help improve efficiency of medical care for puppies, broods and studs.
Guiding Eyes for The Blind has graduated more than 7,000 guide dog teams and provides follow-up support services to students at no cost. The cost of breeding, raising, training and supporting a Guiding Eyes team is $45,000, and the organization depends solely on private contributions to fulfill its mission.
