Seeing Eye Doggy Dash and Pageant

MORRISTOWN, N.J. – Did you know October is Blindness Awareness Month? The Seeing Eye is inviting the residents of Morristown and surrounding communities to join The Seeing Eye on October 4, for the Doggy Dash and dog pageant. This fun, family-friendly event is open to all members of the public. The main attractions are a 1-mile fundraising walk and a dog pageant that will award prizes for various costume categories, best trick, most obedient and more. The center of the festivities is the parking lot on the corner of Maple Avenue and Dehart Street in downtown Morristown. There will also be free face painting for children and a free caricature artist for dogs. Seeing Eye staff and volunteers will provide Seeing Eye dog training demonstrations, and there will be raffles and a 50/50 cash drawing.

“There are a lot of dog lovers in the Morristown area and every day our staff and volunteers encounter them as they train dogs or raise puppies that will one day help someone who is blind lead a more independent life,” Seeing Eye President & CEO Jim Kutsch said. “Everyone is invited to come learn about how Seeing Eye dogs put miracles in motion for people who are blind. This event is for the community, whether or not you have a dog, there is something for everyone.”

The walk is open to adults and children. Adult registration is $30 online (pre-registration ends October 1), and $35 at the event. Free goodie bags will be given out to the first 300 adult registrants. Children ages 5 years to 12 years may register for a discounted fee of $20 online and $25 at the event, and children under 5 years may walk for free. Dogs may walk for free but must be over 6 months of age to participate in the walk. Dogs over 4 months of age may participate in the pageant and other activities. The pageant entry fee is $5 per dog, per category. Owners should bring proof of rabies vaccination to the event. All proceeds will benefit The Seeing Eye’s mission to breed, raise and train dogs to guide people who are blind and visually impaired.

All walkers are encouraged to fundraise on behalf of the organization. Fundraising rewards for the walk start at just $100 with a free walk t-shirt and dog bandana. Those who fundraise at higher levels can get their registration refunded, a gift bag filled with prizes, a behind the scenes tour of the main Seeing Eye campus, and more!

Registration for the 1-mile walk starts at 11 a.m., the walk begins at noon and the pageant judging will take place at 1 p.m. All activities will be at the parking lot on the corner of Maple Avenue and Dehart Street in downtown Morristown. To get more information about how to sign up for The Seeing Eye Doggy Dash, the pageant or how to set up an individual or team fundraiser, visit www.SeeingEye.org/dash. Fundraisers may continue to bring in donations to qualify for prizes through October 31, 2015.

Established in 1929, The Seeing Eye provides specially bred and trained dogs to guide people who are blind. Seeing Eye dog users experience greatly enhanced mobility and independence, allowing them to retain their active lifestyles despite blindness. The Seeing Eye is a 501(c)3 non-profit supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, bequests, and other planned gifts.

The Seeing Eye is a trademarked name and can only be used to describe the dogs bred and trained at the school’s facilities in Morristown, N.J. If you would like more information on The Seeing Eye, please visit the website at www.SeeingEye.org, call (973) 539-4425, or email info@seeingeye.org.

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