As guide, Cuddles' day never done

Cuddles, a black Labrador retriever with a waggy tail, has become quite the celebrity in the Joliet area. She has been making the rounds educating the public about the life and work of a dog guide. Her owner, Gary Jones, a Joliet resident, has owned Cuddles for almost a decade.

Jones, who is totally blind, acquired Cuddles from Leader Dogs for the Blind in Michigan.

"I got great advice from the instructors at Leader Dogs. They said to remember that although Cuddles is highly trained, she is still a dog." Jones and Cuddles were invited to Jones Elementary School located on Ridge and Black roads on Oct. 7 by Emily Meskimen, a third grade teacher.

Four third grade classes crowded into the library to learn about service animals and blindness.

Jones was literally bombarded by questions from the kids and was impressed that the children were so knowledgeable.

"We have been learning about service animals all week," one proud student announced. Cuddles basked in the attention she was receiving. Jones explained that it is not appropriate to pet a service animal while it is working. He removed the harness so the students could pet Cuddles.

Jones also explained that dog guides get used to a well-traveled route and often don't have to be told spoken commands such as left, right or forward.

Jones told the students that blind people must be able to travel proficiently with a white cane before they can be matched with a dog.

The public often assumes that dog guides are all German shepherds or retrievers. Many other breeds are also used as dog guides, including poodles, Doberman pinschers and even rottweilers. About 15 schools throughout the United States train dog guides and there is no cost to the person. Dogs have been assisting blind people to navigate since the Middle Ages. Formal training began in earnest in 1788 in a hospital for the blind in Paris. Cuddles doesn't care about her historical value. She is content marching down Chicago Street in the Spanish Day celebration or the Disability Pride Parade in the Loop. Cuddles, otherwise known affectionately as Bow-Wow, was comfortable sitting beside her owner in Joliet Police Chief Fred Hayes' conference room discussing drivers' responsibilities as it pertains to blind people using white canes or dog guides.

She wagged her tail proudly when the Joliet mayor and city council presented a proclamation making it safer for people with disabilities to cross streets.

Oh my, the life of a dog guide is a great adventure.

E-mail Valerie Brew-Parrish at val4info@comcast.net.