NEW YORK – September is National Service Dog Month, a time to recognize the incredible animals trained to provide independence, safety, and companionship to individuals with disabilities. From guiding the visually impaired, and alerting to medical emergencies, to supporting veterans with PTSD. These dedicated dogs do life-changing work every day. The Guide Dog Foundation is a nonprofit on Long Island that provides training and placement of guide dogs.
Jamie Vullo is the Assistant Director of PR.
“The Guide Dog Foundation- we’re actually celebrating our 80th anniversary this year. We provide guide dogs to folks who are blind or have low vision and absolutely no cost to them.”
If it weren’t for volunteers, their program, as well as others, would barely exist.
“They bring them into their home. They help teach basic obedience. Sit. Stay down, go in the crate, and house manners,” she said. “So no counter surfing, staying off the couch, all those good things.”
Sullivan County Legislator Terry Bernardo is a sitter for Puppies Behind Bars, where dogs are trained by inmates.
“You start taking the dogs out for a day, then you return it, and you know if they trust you enough, you take it (the dog) up for two days, three days.”
She and her husband do this because the dogs provide “independence, confidence, and the ability to move through the world with greater freedom,” Bernardo said.
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