Celebrating 18,000 Partnerships!
The Seeing Eye has reached an important milestone! This month, Kyle, a resident of Colorado, was paired with a 2-year-old black Labrador retriever named Hugh, making them the 18,000th team to graduate from the program since 1929.
“How amazing it is to pair Kyle with Hugh, to help guide him on all of the journeys that life takes them on. Just like every team that came before, their partnership was created with careful consideration, and support from countless individuals throughout the community,” said Seeing Eye President & CEO Peggi Howard. “We are so grateful for the graduates who choose our dogs, the puppy raisers and staff who lovingly care for our dogs, and all of the volunteers and donors who came together to play a part in creating 18,000 Seeing Eye partnerships over the last 94 years.”
Coon, a 31-year-old triathlete, motivational speaker and author, is a member of the U.S. Paratriathlon Resident Team in Colorado Springs. In his free time, he enjoys rock climbing, downhill skiing and playing the guitar. Hugh is Coon’s third Seeing Eye dog.
“From the time I was a little kid, I dreamed of being able to cruise around independently with a dog. Now I’ve been matched with Hugh, my third Seeing Eye Dog, and I can’t begin to express how much confidence I have when we’re out and about,” said Kyle Coon. “As Team USA athletes we dedicate a certain portion of our lives to being the best in our chosen sport. Hugh is dedicated to making sure we travel smoothly and safely. I’m extremely honored and humbled to be part of the 18,000th match in The Seeing Eye’s history, and I can’t wait to see what adventures Hugh and I experience together from here on out.”
