Lorraine Trapani and Guiding Eyes Ed.

Straight from the heart of one of our puppy raisers, Lorraine Trapani shared this, “My husband partially lost his vision in a surgery which diagnosed pancreatic cancer. When told he had three months to live, he said ‘Just give me something to fight with.’ During the following 18-month battle, I became his ‘guiding eyes.’ After my husband died, I buried myself in work. I was unable to sleep. My life lost balance and structure. Over the years that followed, I gained more than 100 pounds.

“My husband worked for a great man at IBM who was famous for saying, ‘if nothing changes, nothing changes.’ Nothing changed in my life for many years. One day, a friend who had attended a graduation at Guiding Eyes for the Blind in New York suggested that I consider raising a puppy for them. I promised to think about it but did nothing. A few months later we attended a fundraising event and there was Janet, a volunteer with Guiding Eyes for the Blind, with a puppy.

“With the pup in my arms, Janet spoke about the independence, dignity, companionship, and mobility these wonderful dogs provide their partners ... and the courage with which these individuals move forward with their lives. Her words resonated with me and I saw that raising a puppy was a way to honor my husband’s courage, his strength, and his fight to live. Although I could no longer help my husband, these ‘pups with a purpose’ are ‘something to fight with’ as others find a way forward from their own tragic loss to live their lives to the fullest. At that point, I had no idea that just by raising them I would find my own way forward. And then I met my first puppy, Merrick. I lost the weight I had gained after my husband’s death — all of it — and was able to discontinue medications to control high blood pressure and cholesterol.

“I suddenly realized that before Merrick even left me to go into training to become a guide dog for the blind, he had, in a sense, achieved the mission of Guiding Eyes. With his unconditional love and companionship this special ‘pup with a purpose’ had provided ME with greater independence, dignity, mobility and new horizons of opportunity.

“Merrick has since gone on to fulfill his true destiny with a blind and partially deaf partner in Boston. He is never alone and is living a productive, happy life. As for me, I’m now raising my fourth puppy for Guiding Eyes for the Blind in honor of my husband, and still walking forward — six miles a day.”

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/health-benefits¬), living with pets can decrease your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels and feelings of loneliness, and can increase opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities, as well as socialization with other people.

Research supports the fact that stress decreases with a dog. Cortisol levels decrease by simply petting a dog. The body is better able to combat depression when interacting with dogs. And no surprise, we know that purpose or meaningful experiences coupled with enjoyment helps us reach a state of happiness.

Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a nonprofit guide dog school located in Yorktown Heights, N.Y., offers more than 400 hundred volunteers the health benefits of canine companionship through its Puppy Raising program.

In the Puppy Raising Program, individuals, couples and families from all walks of life along the Eastern seaboard raise specially-bred puppies in a loving home environment for 14-16 months, where they teach the young dogs house manners, and socialize them. The puppies are then returned to Guiding Eyes to be trained as guide dogs.

“It is no surprise how many people repeat puppy raise,” says Linda Damato, director of Canine Development, “It is habit forming in the very best sense of the word. People not only give a tremendous gift but they also receive so much back in so many unexpected ways by raising a puppy that will one day change a life in a very powerful way!” The puppy raising program offers an opportunity to enjoy the health benefits of canine companionship, including human socializing and regular exercise.

Raising a pup can’t help but improve your state of mind ... and it doesn’t get any better than giving someone the gift of independence. How often in life do you get an opportunity like that?

Puppy raiser, Jeff Langston and family, from Sherwood, MD, is raising Max, a beautiful and happy yellow lab. They say “Change your life and the life of another! What better reward than to receive the unconditional love of a puppy and then, ultimately, to give the gift of loving freedom and companionship to a person who has lost their sight. The experience of raising Max is changing our lives . . . from the confidence and responsibility we see building in our children, to the simple moments of joy during our daily routines. Let a Max change your life!”

What’s your resolution going to be?

For more information about this incredible opportunity with Guiding Eyes for the Blind in your local DELMARVA Puppy Raising Region, call Ellen Higgins of Trappe at 410-991-5662 or visit the website today at http://www.guidingeyes.org/.

About Guiding Eyes for the Blind

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.