For Immediate Release
Contact: Michelle Barlak, (973) 775-8350
mbarlak@seeingeye.org

January 26, 2018

The Seeing Eye Celebrates 89 Years & 17,000 Seeing Eye® Teams

Carlos sits with a black and tan German shepherd under a white gazebo with fall foliage in the background.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. – On January 29, the oldest guide dog school in the world will celebrate 89 years of working to enhance the independence and dignity of people who are blind and visually impaired throughout the United States and Canada. The non-profit organization recently passed another milestone, pairing Carlos Taylor with a German shepherd named Ewok, making them the 17,000th team to graduate from the program since 1929.

“When I pause to reflect on what our founders must have envisioned for the future of our organization, coupled with how much the world has changed nearly nine decades later, I find it incredible and inspiring to be part of an institution that has maintained such a strong commitment to improving the lives of others,” said Seeing Eye President & CEO Jim Kutsch. “It has taken the support of countless individuals, including volunteers, puppy raisers, donors and staff, to create those 17,000 partnerships and I know that we will all work just as hard to make the next 17,000 partnerships just as magical as the ones that came before.”

Taylor, a 38-year-old from Muncie, Indiana, works as an adaptive computer technology specialist at Ball State University where he oversees a computer lab dedicated to students with disabilities. He also works with faculty and administrators to make the university’s courses and campus as accessible as possible.

“It’s amazing to think of 17,000 dogs over the history of The Seeing Eye, since 1929. Also the perspective of being the 17,000th and representing the guide dog school that I have so much admiration and appreciation for is such an honor,” said Taylor. “The best part about having a Seeing Eye dog is the added confidence in mobility. Ewok loves his work and does it with such a great deal of enthusiasm.  He loves to be on the go.”

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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