Marilyn Scott and Casper.

EASTON — Interested in being part of something truly extraordinary? Love puppies and puppy breath? Guiding Eyes for the Blind’s Delmarva Region is now accepting new volunteers to raise one of their extraordinary future guide dogs.

Free orientation training will be held in Easton from 6-9 p.m. on July 23 and 30.  Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the program and meet some special pups and their raisers.

“Without the extraordinary dedication of our puppy raisers we would simply be unable to provide guide dogs for the blind and visually impaired” said Mary Bradford, regional manager for Guiding Eyes. Puppy Raisers are invited to attend the graduation ceremony of the pup they helped raise, where they have the opportunity to meet the dog’s new partner and truly understand the impact they have had in the life of a person with vision loss.  “Knowing you are raising a puppy for someone you have not even met – and that the puppy will give the person independence and open up doors they may never have thought to go through — is priceless and heartwarming” explained first-time puppy raiser Marilyn Evey of Preston.

RSVPs are required and potential raisers must attend both classes. To RSVP or to learn more, contact Delmarva Region Coordinator Ellen Higgins at ellenqhiggins@gmail.com or call 410-991-5662. Or visit www.guidingeyes.org to submit an application.

Guiding Eyes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing superbly bred and trained guide dogs. Since its inception, the organization has grown to be one of the foremost guide dog schools in the world, known for its accredited training programs and lifetime commitment to its graduating teams. Dogs not suited for guide work may become service dogs for children on the autism spectrum.

Guiding Eyes is dependent upon contributions to fulfill its mission and provides all services free of charge to individuals who are blind or visually impaired as well as to families with children with autism. The organization’s Headquarters and Training Center is located in Yorktown Heights, N.Y. and its canine breeding center is in Patterson, N.Y. For more information, visit www.guidingeyes.org, like Guiding Eyes on Facebook (www.facebook.com/guidingeyes) or follow @guidingeyes on Twitter.