One of Purposeful Financial and Legacy Planning's key values is to support the local community. In support of that value, we will highlight a Northern Colorado charity each month. Additionally, we support that charity with a donation.
This month we are highlighting the Guide Dog Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 1946 "to provide guide dogs and training – free of charge – to people who are blind or have low vision. For 75 years, the Guide Dog Foundation has trained and placed guide dogs and service dogs to provide increased independence and enhanced mobility to individuals who are blind, have low vision, or other disabilities. In 2009, they became the first assistance dog school in the United States to be certified by the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International."
The Guide Dog Foundation pairs each student with the appropriate assistance dog for them and then provides individualized instruction, small classes, certified training, and community support. Once bonding occurs, a guide dog brings a new level of independence and dignity to someone with disabilities, allowing them to live beyond their previous boundaries.
In addition to working with the blind, the Foundation has also successfully worked with the deaf or hearing-impaired as well as many others with various types of physical challenges.
While there are other organizations across the country that provide guide dogs for the blind, two of our clients personally support this one. They explained,
"Our decision to donate and support the Foundation stems from the love, support, and assistance our dogs have provided to our family and friends facing a number of challenges over the years. The idea that we could assist in providing love, support, and in some cases a more ‘normal’ life for those with impaired vision and physical disabilities was and is compelling and fulfilling. It is always a joy to see friends and family enjoy activities and life in general that they might not have enjoyed without additional assistance. It gives us joy and pleasure that in a small way we have tried to make their lives more fulfilling and joyful."
According to their website, it costs the Foundation over $50,000 to breed, raise, train and place an assistance dog, yet their services are generously provided at no cost to the individual. As such, the Foundation depends on much-needed help and generosity from individuals, corporations, other foundations, and community organizations. To learn more about how you can get involved - either through donating, fundraising, volunteering, raising a puppy, or becoming a corporate or veterinary partner - visit their website here.