Turn-in day at Southeastern Guide Dogs an ‘emotional roller coaster’
By LOIS KINDLE
One chapter ended and another began Nov. 19 in the life of Scout, a Southeastern Guide Dogs Labrador retriever destined for greatness.
Much like parents seeing their child off to college, his puppy raisers, Chris O’Leary and Chip Barker, returned Scout to the school for admission to Guide Dog U. After loving, caring and showing him the ropes of obedience training, the two men turned in their charge in a somber, yet celebratory ceremony that included 24 other potential guide dogs.
“We know from the beginning they aren’t our dogs,” said O’Leary, who has raised around 30 puppies for Southeastern Guide Dogs. “We’re raising them for someone else, someone whose life they will change for the better forever.”
Although each one of those dogs has been special, Scout may well be his favorite.
“He’s such a lover,” O’Leary said. “And he’s in a happy mood 24/7. I’m really going to miss waking up in the morning and seeing him smile.”
Barker said he’ll also miss the “goofy guy.”
“Of all the dogs we’ve had in our home, Scout was incredibly affectionate and engaged with us,” he continued. “He loved to be right beside us and tracked our every movement so he could be a part of whatever we were doing.”
Turn-in day at Southeastern is always bittersweet.
“(It) marks an ending for the puppy raisers but it’s a new beginning for the puppies,” said Leslie Shepard, director of puppy-raising services for Southeastern Guide Dogs. “We organize the event like freshman orientation to provide support for our puppy raisers on their toughest day, when they leave a piece of their hearts with us. It’s designed to give them a figurative and literal hug and ‘thank you’ for the gift they gave us.”
The ceremony included many thoughtful touches aimed at softening the blow.
The walkway leading to the Keith G. Hirst Canine Assessment Center, where the returning dogs will stay for the next six weeks, was lined with their puppy photos. Welcome Home signs were prominent. After signing in, the puppy raisers turned in their charge’s Guide Dog in Training jacket, selected a large Kong stuffed with peanut butter and treats, and then took it to their respective puppy’s dorm room (without the dog) to leave as a welcoming gift.
As the dogs’ names were called during the ceremony, their caretakers brought them forward one by one. Shepard read touching anecdotes the puppy raisers had supplied, while pictures of the pups flashed on two large TV screens. After an exchange of collars and final goodbyes, Southeastern trainers led the puppies to their respective dorms.
The dogs themselves seemed to know they were on to bigger things. Most never looked back as their former keepers handed them over.
“Labs are so adaptable,” O’Leary said. “They just want someone to love.”
There were lots of tears, especially among those who had raised puppies for the first time.
Taylor Styke, of St. Petersburg, was one of them.
After turning in Scout’s sister Chloe, the 24-year-old St. Petersburg resident said the day was an emotional roller coaster.
“For the longest time, it was just Chloe and me,” Styke said, describing the dog as a “crazy ball of joy.”
So the thought of turning her in was difficult.
“Obviously, I’m very sad,” she said, nevertheless acknowledging she will raise another puppy for the school. “I just had to find balance in the peace of knowing her purpose and the loss I felt in letting her go.”
Following the ceremony, the puppy raisers were broken into groups and invited to attend rotating 20-minute presentations aimed at uplifting their spirits and acknowledging the value of their contributions.
While some went first to the puppy kennel where their tears were turned immediately into smiles, others experienced a blindfold walk or watched a training demonstration.
“They really do a nice job with the formal ceremony and follow-up activities,” O’Leary said. “It really helps bring us closure in a positive way.”
Life at Guide Dog U
Even though Scout is still very much a puppy, he is about to grow up fast.
During his time at the assessment center, his physical health and temperament will be thoroughly evaluated.
“We’ll see how he reacts to various stimuli, like different surfaces and sounds, other dogs, strange people and objects like a scarecrow or flying pig,” said Rebekah Regan, assessment kennel canine care manager. “This gives us a picture of his temperament and personality and what kind of job he might be suited for. We’ll also start his formal harness and clicker training.”
Then it’s on to the training kennel, where Scout’s education will continue for six to eight months before being matched with a person who needs him. He’ll work with a professional trainer two to three times a week at different venues in the community, get plenty of enrichment exercises and receive relaxing massages.
“The kennel classes are much like college, with freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors,” said Suzy Wilburn, director of admissions and graduate services. “The training is progressive and becomes more and more demanding. Many of our dogs eventually will learn 40 different commands.”
Wilburn said Scout will determine his own career path.
“We always listen to what our dogs tell us,” she said. “No matter what job they end up doing, they will have a positive impact on whomever they’re placed with. Our dogs truly transform people’s lives, and in some cases even save them.”
To donate to Southeastern Guide Dogs, become a volunteer, or get additional information, visit guidedogs.org, or call 941-729-5665.