In one brief moment, a severe accident can change the rest of your life, as well as the lives of your loved ones. Many people today, who were born with, or suffered severe injuries and blindness from accidents, can now have the assistance of guide dogs or service dogs. This is a unique way that German Shepherds can use their unique skills of intelligence and workability to become "on the job" dogs. Guide and service dogs take pride in their work and give 100% of their skills to their master. Dogs in these jobs must possess good temperament, intelligence, good health, sound structure and workability, but must also be versatile and become part of the family. German Shepherds are very capable of being both family dogs and working dogs. It is also important to remember that the size of the dog will play an important role in his job as a guide dog or service dog. Extra large and oversized dogs are less desirable in this type of work, which is another reason that breeders should observe and strive to maintain the breed standard of the German Shepherd Dog in our breeding programs. We must always remember the importance of the German Shepherd's workability. Click on photos for enhanced image.

In my opinion, the German Shepherd Dog is a valuable gift … a gift that can give a blind or disabled person independence, or give an elderly person in a nursing home a reason to smile and reach out to pat a loving dog. With my strong feelings of devotion to the German Shepherd Dog, and my desire to promote their positive image, I am proud to be a member of several organizations promoting the German Shepherd. But I am especially proud to be a member in the Texas A&M University organization, Aggie Guide Dogs and Service Dogs. One young man, Jesse Czelusta, having prior experience in raising guide dogs for the Southwest Guide Dog Foundation, started this organization at the university in 1997. I have watched this organization develop and become stronger and more organized each year. The students work hard to train and socialize the young dogs and prepare them for their formal training as guide and service dogs. The students also work to educate the public about the program and promote public awareness about the dogs "on the job". Taking on the responsibility of puppy raising is an admirable task, as the young pups are required to accompany the "puppy walkers" wherever they go. At first, most of the pups being trained by AGS were from the local animal shelter, and they still rescue some qualified pups, but now several local breeders, including myself, donate puppies for this great cause as well. My husband and I plan to donate one German Shepherd puppy a year for training in the AGS program. In 1999, we donated our first pup, Anya von Orumhaus. Anya is currently 8 months old, and will be in training until around 18 months old. Anya received her "Service Dog in Training" jacket at 6 months old. Picture of Anya coming soon.

I would like to express my most sincere "thanks and appreciation" to Mr. David Boyd and Dr. Lorraine Eden for writing the article, A Guide Dog in the Family, and sharing their childhood memories, photos and the extraordinary accomplishments of their late father and the three German Shepherds that guided him. Mr. Boyd, with the love and encouragement of his family and the devotion of each of his guide dogs, Peyton, Ava and Watson, crafted and sponsored the first legislation in Canada for the use of guide dogs for the blind. This legislation was filed as Regulation 76-77 under the Health Act (O.C. 76-314) on April 28, 1976.

Mr. Boyd also wrote a column in the St. Stephen, New Brunswick newspaper, Saint Croix Courier, entitled Boyd's Eye View. One specific topic that he felt strongly about was his guide dog, and promoting public awareness and education regarding the blind and their dogs. This led to Mr. Boyd writing a six-part series in his column based on his viewpoint as a blind man with a guide dog. Also see Boyd Sheds Light on Blindness.

Photos shown on GDS home page are of Mr. Garnet A. Boyd with guide dogs Ava and Watson.

For More Information on Guide Dogs and Service Dogs, see the links below:

• A Guide Dog in the Family
• Aggie Guide Dogs and Service Dogs
• International Assistance Dogs
• Dog Guides Lions Foundation of Canada
• Orumhaus Kennels
• Paws With A Cause
• Seeing Eye - 50th Anniversary
• Seeing Eye - Morristown, NJ