Jeff Hawkins and Leader Dog Gracie represented Leader Dogs for the Blind at Leader Dog Rallies throughout Lions District 22W the week of April 24. The all-school presentation at North Frederick Elementary School was made at the request of the Francis Scott Key Lions Club, which has “adopted” the school. Jeff Hawkins was born and raised in Michigan. A true water sports enthusiast, he enjoys water skiing, jet skiing, boating and kayaking and most recently hiking. Jeff worked as paramedic for 25 years before his vision forced him into an early retirement. Growing up in the Metro Detroit area, Jeff was familiar with Leader Dogs for the Blind and the programs and services they offer for people who are blind or visually impaired. Jeff came to Leader Dogs for the Blind in July 2011 and completed Accelerated Orientation and Mobility Training–the white cane training program–before returning in July 2012 for the Guide Dog program where he was teamed up with his Leader Dog, Gracie, a female yellow lab.
As part of their visit to Maryland, Jeff and Gracie made a presentation at an all-school assembly at North Frederick Elementary School on April 27, 2017. Approximately 650 enthusiastic students, pre-K through grade 5, heard of Jeff’s experiences and enjoyed a demonstration of Gracie’s Leader Dog abilities. Jeff took personal attention after the presentation with a student who has limited vision, allowing him to take Gracie for a short “test drive.”
A supply of Leader Dog pencils, brochures, and place mats were left with the school.
Leader Dogs for the Blind (LDB) is a Lions legacy, founded by three Detroit-area Lions in the 1930s after their friend’s application to obtain a service dog from Seeing Eye was denied. Knowing that a dog would help this friend, a doctor, they asked another friend, who trained Dobermans, if he could help them out. In 1938 he trained a dog to help this doctor. Formally founded on April 4, 1939, as Lions Leader Dog Foundation, its first class graduated on October 8, 1939; at that time the cost to train one client/dog team was $600. Seeing Eye was the first guide dog organization; LDB was second or third. Co-founder Lion Don Schurs said in 1939 that “It all started with $400 and a hat full of ideas.”
All funding is private with support from individual Lions and Lions clubs worldwide accounting for $2 million of the $12.5 million annual budget. Many students arrive on campus because of local Lions clubs.
NFES students attending the Leader Dog presentation.
Lion Paul Gray, 22W Leader Dog Chairman Lenny Gares, Jeff Hawkins with Gracie, NFES Principal DeVeda Coley, Lion Lynn Stimmel (attending but not pictured, Lion Darlene Aulls).
Jeff Hawkins and Leader Dog Gracie