Islanders Partner with Guide Dog Foundation
Islanders Players to Select Puppy to start Guide Dog Training
East Meadow, NY (Aug. 28, 2018) – The New York Islanders announced today that the club has partnered with the Smithtown based Guide Dog Foundation to place a dog into the training process to become a future guide dog.
A chosen puppy will begin guide dog training on Sept. 14. Fans can vote on a name for the dog
HERE.
It costs over $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog; however, all of the Foundations' services are provided at no charge to the individual. Funding comes from the generosity of individuals, corporations, and service and fraternal clubs.
“We are grateful to partner with the New York Islanders on this special program,” said Guide Dog Foundation President & CEO John Miller. “With the help of the team, the puppy will experience a variety of unique socialization opportunities that will help the them grow up to be a confident and well-rounded guide dog for someone who is blind or visually impaired.
In addition, the Islanders will partner with the Guide Dog Foundation to produce the 2019 Pucks & Paws calendar, marking the third consecutive year the team has partnered to produce a charity calendar.
About the Guide Dog Foundation
For more than 70 years, the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc. (www.GuideDog.org), has trained and placed guide and service dogs to provide independence, enhanced mobility, and companionship to people who are blind, have low vision, or have other special needs. The Guide Dog Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization serving clients from across the United States and Canada. The Foundation relies on contributions from generous individuals, corporations, service clubs, and foundations to fund its mission to serve people with disabilities. It costs over $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog, but the Guide Dog Foundation provides its services completely free of charge to the individual. Its sister organization, America’s VetDogs, trains and provides guide, service, and hearing dogs for disabled veterans and first responders.
Be sure to watch Sunny on NBC’s TODAY, and follow our other “Puppies with a Purpose” on NBC stations in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Baltimore, and Boston, and on social media.
The Guide Dog Foundation was the first assistance dog school in the United States to be accredited by both the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International.
About the New York Islanders
Founded in 1972, the New York Islanders Hockey Club is the proud winner of four Stanley Cup Championships. Keep up with breaking Islanders news on Twitter @NYIslandersPR. For more team information, log on to
newyorkislanders.com.
Contacts:
Kimber Auerbach – kimber.auerbach@newyorkislanders.com
Jesse Eisenberg – jesse.eisenberg@newyorkislanders.com
Kelly Keogh – kelly.keogh@newyorkislanders.com