SCSU student helps local nonprofit in guide dog training for visually impaired
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — A non-profit organization that trains puppies to help those who are blind or visually impaired says it is seeing a significant shortage in volunteers. It's one reason a Southern Connecticut State University has started her own club to encourage others to help.
Justice is a guide-dog-in-training at SCSU.
'He's got a really lovable personality. He's always got a smile on his face. It's adorable,' said sophomore student Ella Bernegger, who is currently raising the 1-year-old pup.
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Justice is a potential candidate for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a non-profit that provides 165 guide dogs to the blind and visually impaired annually. Bernegger says she started a club at the university, hoping to get more students involved, adding the cause hits close to home.
'I started the club in memory of our old dog, Trent. He was my mom's K-9 partner in K-9 narcotics detection and I started the club because I wanted to create a community where people who were familiar or interested in the Guiding Eyes mission to come together,' she said.
Guiding Eyes' puppy trainer, Maureen Hollis, says Bernegger's initiative is helping to address the non-profit's significant shortage of volunteers.
'When COVID hit, a lot of people emptied shelters and what that did is it really lowered our volunteer numbers. So, having schools to participate to help us with our volunteer numbers is a crucial step for us,' Hollis said.
Currently, the sophomore's club has over 100 student members. Two more puppies will be available in May for students to help raise.
'I'd be lucky to see Justice helping someone else one day,' Bernegger said.
Guiding Eyes says Justice will go through about six more months of training and testing before it's determined whether or not he's fit to be a guide dog for someone in need.
If you're interested in volunteering or learning more information, you can visit guidingeyes.org or contact mhollis@guidingeyes.org.
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