For Immediate Release
Contact: Craig Garretson, 973-539-4425

July 5, 2023

Walt Sutton Receives Ethel Bender Award

MORRISTOWN, N.J. -- Walt Sutton, Senior Manager of Instruction & Training at The Seeing Eye, was recognized today with the Ethel Bender Award by Guide Dog Users, Inc., an organization of guide dog handlers affiliated with the American Council of the Blind.

Walt, a senior manager in Instruction & Training, began his career as an instructor at The Seeing Eye in 1985, having joined the guide dog school six years earlier as a part-time employee.

The Ethel Bender Award honors a sighted person who has provided significant service to the cause of enhancing the well-being of the guide dog and handler community.

“I am humbled and blessed to have my name mentioned alongside so many other wonderful people who have won this award,” Walt said.

The Seeing Eye, founded in 1929, 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, 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. In 2020, the Seeing Eye dog was designated the official State Dog of New Jersey. For more information on The Seeing Eye, visit www.SeeingEye.org, call (973) 539-4425, or email info@seeingeye.org.