The Seeing Eye Dedicates Dr. Robert H. Harris Canine Pavilion
On the morning of Thursday, June 13th, The Seeing Eye held a dedication ceremony for its new state-of-the-art kennel, the Dr. Robert H. Harris Canine Pavilion. The facility was named by the project’s principal donor, The Golden Dome Foundation, in memory of its late founder, Dr. Robert H. Harris. Dr. Harris is the late husband of the organization’s President, Mary Ellen Harris. The facility will serve as updated living quarters for the dogs that live at the Morristown campus during the 4 months of training it takes them to become Seeing Eye® dogs.
The ceremony began with a series of speakers, including Seeing Eye President & CEO Jim Kutsch, Vice-Chair of The Seeing Eye Board of Trustees Margaret E.L. Howard, Ph.D., Seeing Eye Director of Facilities Management Glenn Cianci, Seeing Eye Director of Canine Development Peggy Gibbon, and Seeing Eye Director of Donor and Public Relations Deborah Morrone-Colella. Golden Dome Foundation President Mary Ellen Harris then gave final words.
Following the speeches, the entire procession was led by a group of Seeing Eye dogs and their instructors over to the dogs’ new quarters at the Dr. Robert H. Harris Canine Pavilion, where the dedication then took place. After the initial celebratory bell was rung by Mary Ellen Harris, the building was rung in by the rest of the donors and guests, who were each given their own tiny bronze bells. A white and green Seeing Eye banner was then dropped from the outside of the red brick building in one swift motion, revealing the name of the new kennel in shiny, silver letters.
The morning concluded with a luncheon that took place inside of the new facility, and donors and guests were also given tours of the space guided by Seeing Eye staff.
Donors and guests enjoy lunch inside the outdoor play area of the new Dr. Robert H. Harris Canine Pavilion. The circular tables are cloaked with green tablecloths, while delicate flower blossoms float gently inside of shiny silver dog bowls at the center of each table. A view through the fencing of the play area shows off views of the green foliage across the campus.
Vice-Chair of The Seeing Eye Board of Trustees Margaret E.L. Howard, Ph.D., is holding a microphone while she stands and addresses the audience. Seeing Eye Director of Facilities Management Glenn Cianci stands to her left, and to her right stands Seeing Eye President & CEO Jim Kutsch with his German shepherd, Vegas. The green turf on which they are standing is lined by a red brick wall, and a green Seeing Eye poster, with the organization logo, stands on the far right of the photo.
The banner is released from the building in one swift motion, revealing the name of the Dr. Robert H. Harris Canine Pavilion in shiny silver letters.
Golden Dome Foundation President Mary Ellen Harris stands next to Seeing Eye President & CEO Jim Kutsch and his German shepherd, Vegas, in front of the newly dedicated building.
Two rows of Seeing Eye dogs in training, and their instructors, line either side of the sidewalk, greeting donors and guests as they arrive at the start of the building tour.
