Through the eyes of a dog

CSUS acts as training ground for guide dogs

Ron Bereininger walks with Geyser through campus, occasionally stopping to chat with friends.

You’ve seen him. He’s the quiet one in the Russian classes who sleeps through the lectures. He wears the same green shirt every day. He has dark brown eyes and gold and black fur that is short and neatly groomed.

Geyser, a 10-month-old German Shepherd “guide dog in training,” is Professor Ron Breininger’s third experience socializing a puppy. Breininger prepares puppies for their ultimate job: becoming the “eyes” for someone whose own eyes don’t work.

Geyser is one of approximately 900 puppies socialized per year under the auspices of Guide Dogs for the Blind Inc. Breininger has been socializing puppies for about 3 years. “It is a way of paying back all the good things in the past and future that have been done for me and my wife.”

Puppy socializers are a special breed of people. Field Operations Manager for the Puppy Raising Department, Emily Brown-Liest, seeks families who are willing to make a serious commitment. “There are some guidelines that are very definite,” she says. Homes must be safe for the puppies, with a secured area outside for them. Household pets must be healthy and have all their shots. They must also be willing to accept another pet.

Raising a guide dog isn’t at all like having a dog as a pet. There are various obligations including two mandatory meetings a month. At these gatherings the handler learns how to groom the puppy and the specific training methods unique to guide dogs.

According to Breininger, Geyser is very easy to train.

“He’d rather cuddle than eat.” When he first came home, Breininger decided to start his training immediately, and lay down next to him, expecting the puppy to mouth him (take an arm or finger in his mouth and gently chew). “Geyser just snuggled up under my arm and went to sleep.”

Guide Dogs for the Blind Inc. uses three breeds of dogs: German Shepherds, Golden Labs and Retrievers. Joanne Ritter, Public Affairs Officer for the organization, says in addition to the correct breed, the organization looks for dogs that are willing to work and have an easy-going temperament.

After being socialized for a year, the dog goes into 4-5 months of intensive training. They learn to guide someone from Point A to Point B in a straight line and to stop for curbs and obstacles. They also learn to disobey a command if it will lead their handler into danger.

Breininger admits no one can tell if a puppy will be a good guide dog. “Career change” dogs, as they are called, can fail training for many reasons: from medical problems to temperament difficulties, and an unwillingness to work. After all, Ritter explains, “we’re asking a dog to lie quietly all day and then be prepared to lead a person through an airport, for example.”

Caesar, Breininger’s first puppy, made it all the way through training before his allergies became a problem. In such a case, the socializing family is given a chance to take the dog in. Now Caesar, Breininger’s first experience in socializing a guide dog, is Breininger’s buddy.

“CSUS is the perfect place for socializing puppies,” according to Breininger. “There are people, squirrels, noise, cars and trucks, even the marching band. The dog has to learn to be confident and cannot be distracted from his job.”

For the most part, administration and students have been supportive. Breininger’s only complaint is when people bark and whistle at Geyser, trying to get him to break stride or become distracted. Too many try to pet or grab him.

If the dog is wearing his green cape he is working, both Breininger and Ritter stress. “Always ask the handler before petting a working dog.” Breininger says, “If a student asks to pet the dog, then I can get him ready for them.”

Many CSUS students remember Breininger’s second puppy; a yellow lab named Roosevelt. He spent his year with Breininger, and like Geyser, learned to sleep in Russian class while Professor Breininger did his job.

“Roosevelt is very gentle but exuberant,” Breininger remembers. Patricia Yarman, a retired government worker who was matched with Roosevelt, agrees. “He’s still young, so there is some chewing, and he’s very playful.”

But when it comes to work, he is all business. Yarman remembers how frightened and self-conscious she used to be crossing streets. “With him, I’m comfortable. I’ll cross busier streets.”

Yarman recalls her first meeting with Roosevelt. “I sat in a chair in the staff room, and the dog came in. He was jovial and licked all over me,” she laughs. “Now my life revolves around him.”

By the time Yarman and Roosevelt posed for their graduation picture, Guide Dogs for the Blind Inc. had spent about $55,000. Yarman was not charged for the guide dog, Ritter said. All money comes to the organization through private donations.

Breininger has learned a great deal about unconditional love and acceptance through this program. He admits that it is sometimes hard to let go. “I cry,” he says. But to know the dog is going to someone who will love and care for it as much as he does, and to know it will make a tremendous difference in the life of someone, makes it a little easier to let go. “It’s a win-win situation,” he says as he smiles and pets Geyser’s back.

For more information on volunteering in the guide dog program call 1-800-295-4050, or visit the Guide Dogs for the Blind Inc. Web site at: www.guidedogs.com.