Kindergarten Youngsters Learn About Guide Dogs

Editor's Note: Sierra Canyon School reports on a recent Kindergarten assembly with Guide Dogs of America.

It was a cold, windy day in Chatsworth, but all hearts were warm when the three Kindergarten classes of attended an assembly with Guide Dogs of America. 

The children heard from three volunteer “puppy raisers” who discussed the process of training the dogs to be “good canine citizens out in public” and to look out for the safety of the person to whom they have been assigned.  After the initial 18 months of training (and receiving monthly report cards), the dogs go on to more advanced training until graduation and placement with a visually impaired person. 

The importance of that relationship and how the dogs help people was clearly explained.  The Kindergarten children were told that by sitting quietly during the assembly, they role-modeled for the puppies (Canan, Pondo, and Raleigh—three six month old Labrador retrievers) how to sit and listen.

The young learners were then asked to cover their eyes in various ways to experience different degrees of darkness (not all individuals who have guide dogs are completely blind). 

Sierra Canyon Kindergarteners asked several very intelligent questions such as, “Can guide dogs work with visually impaired people in wheelchairs?”  (The answer is “yes” as long as they have specific training.)  The students were then presented with Guide Dogs of America pencils and bookmarks, but the children did some giving as well.  Each class presented a blanket that had been handmade by the children for the young guide puppies. More blankets and stuffed dog toys will be donated in the next few months.

The assembly ended with the highlight of the morning.  After being instructed on the importance of asking permission to pet a puppy in training wearing a training jacket (not the working harness) and how to hold out the hand palm up for the dog to smell, every child was able to meet and pet one of the puppies.  The children’s smiles were contagious, and the puppies enjoyed all of the attention and petting.  It truly was a day of giving for everyone.

-- Christina Jacobellis