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Show i I f """"TE I Sv f . 'Nv OS" I uj f I IB Guide Dog Program t by Olga Milius Green Sheet Staff Writer WEST VALLEY. Dogs are often to as "man's best friends" but Gauntlet and Coral are more than that, they serve as their owners' eyes, making it possible for them to lead active, happy lives. The two dogs are trained guide dogs for the blind and thier owners truly do consider them invaluable. "I love him, he's a real life saver," said James Palmer, formerly a resident of West Valley City. Palmer attended a month-lon- g training school at Guide Dogs For The Blind, Inc. in California, where he was introduced to Gauntlet, a golden retriever. Together they learned to work as a unit, participating every day in practice ses- - referred r- - T t Suzanne t fefe 'i Coral u , Hi O i ; James - "W ' Gauntlet 'J W I J fl X-- ; & 4 , 4. S Ooooooooooooooooooooooocococooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo fxjz 1 SATURDAY JUIV19A mm -i-rO- g sy PPU IS f 2 "5 vurs. 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When he would try to stop me, I'd think he was goofing off because I couldn't feel or sense a hazard. It only took a few times of having a branch hit me in the face or walking into a pole for me to realize he knew when to stop me." Palmer, who used to be a truck driver, became visaully handicapped because of a hereditary condition, losing his sight gradually. He has been blind the past five years. Employed at Utah Industries for the Blind, he is repairing hand-set- s used by ground crews at Hill Air Force Base and recently moved from West Valley to an area nearer his work. "I used to ride the bus when I lived in West Valley, now I can walk to work," he said. Either way, Gauntlet is beside him, protecting him from hazards above or on the ground. "He's very affectionate. He was raised by a family with eight kids and he likes lots of hugs. He's very smart and well trained," his owner noted. The dog, raised by brothers Scott and Luke Fausett of Salt Lake, was the first Utah-raise- d pup to return to the state, he noted. The guide dogs are usually born on the San Rafael campus, where they live until the age of three months. They then go to live with youngsters, to be raised in a family atmosphere and taught simple obe8 dience. At age months they return to the school to begin their training. Breeds usually used are German shepherds. Labrador retrievers and golden retrievers, both male and female. The youngsters take the dogs everywhere with them, helping them to become familiar with people, stores, buses, schools, churches and other places where their future owners may need to go. Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. was established in 1942 and is supported by voluntary contributions. The school is a organization and no charge is ever made to the blind for the school's services. "Although it costs $10,000 to prod duce just one ,G.uide . Dog-blinperson unit, the person receives at no cost the highly trained, purebred dog, the training, all dog handling equip-- , ment, educational materials and follow-uservice for years of e the working life of the dog," a school spokesman explained. Any blind man or woman who is physically and temperamentally suited to use a guide dog may apply to the center by writing to Guide Dogs for the Blind Inc., Box 1200, San Rafael, Calif. 94915. Students and dogs live in dormitories on the campus, which has accommodations for 24 students at one time. For the first 2V2 days, students work with instructors who play the part of the dogs, teaching the student the commands he will need to work with the animals. Instruction is also given on care and feeding and use of the harness. Instructors select the dog for the student, matching according to temperament and size. "My dog never forgets a thing, once he has been shown it," said 4-- 16-1- 4-- non-prof- it fully-traine- d on-sit- p Palmer. The dog sits under his bench while he is at work, he said, accompanies him everywhere he goes and is a very important member of the family-He and his wife Nell give him lots as do their children when they visit. of love and affection, "He loves kids, he's always ready for a hug," he declared. Another resident of West Valley, Suzanne Swenson, is presently attending the school and will return home with her dog next week. "Coral, a labrador retriever, is training with her and is already established as a close friend," her husband Wade commented. "I've talked with Suzanne on the phone and she already loves the dog and says he is just great," said Mr. Swenson. Swenson, who is also visually disabled, uses a white cane to get around, but said his wife had problems with that kind of aid and is adjusting much better to using the dog. "I have bene blind since birth and my ears are very keen, and my sense of orientation is good," he explained. Suzanne lost her sight through diabetes four years ago and, although she tried to use the cane, had real problems with orientation and balance, he said. "She is real happy with Coral and feels much more secure. This is a great program," said Mr. Swenson. Mrs. Swenson is a student at the University of Utah, majoring in medical social work. Mr. Swenson is also attending school, at Utah Technical College, majoring in data processing. The family also includes a guinea pig named Suzette and a turtle named Murtle. Suzanne and Coral will graduate on Saturday, along with 23 other blind students and their guide dogs. |