 Sunday, April 5, 2009
Guide Dogs of the Desert Facility
Whitewater, California
Story and photos by Yvonne Scott
For more photos by Yvonne Scott, click here.
For more photos by Pat Krause, click here.
Sunday, April 5, at the Guide Dogs of the Desert facility in Whitewater, Calif., was a special graduation of guide dogs. This was to help kick off National Guide Dog month. Guide Dogs of the Desert along with Natural Balance Pet Foods and PETCO welcomed more than 700 people from all across country to have a guided tour of the facility and cheer on a graduation of six guide dogs along with their new military veteran partners.
 The day started with a tour of the facility at 1 p.m. with a flag dedication, presentation of Colors, invocation, team blessing and donations a plenty. The women of Coachella Valley-based Dusty Wings raised $25,000 for this cause and were among a few of the highlighted donations of the day.
The host for the ceremony was none other than "American Idol’s" Paula Abdul along with her dog Bessie Moo. Paula stated, “It was unbelievable what these guide dogs go through to get to graduation with a cost of over $40,000 to train these dogs.”
The most amazing part is the services are provided free of charge to blind clients with five facets to the guide dog program: breeding, puppy raising, formal training, on-campus training and post graduate support. All the money to support this comes from private donations.
Beginning in May, Paula will be spokeswoman for National Guide Dog Month. Sunday's was the first event to kick-off the team raising of funds for this worthwhile cause. Paula wholeheartedly mentioned that she is determined to get the word out and that she will do whatever it takes to raise money for this cause, even if she had to put a sign on Simon Cowell during the show of "American Idol" for millions to see.
 Celebrity Dick Van Patten and Jimmy Van Patten, supporters of Natural Balance Pet Foods along with sponsors PETCO were in attendance to help raise funds and awareness.
Dick Van Patten was quoted as saying, “Having Paula Abdul, a huge animal lover, as our spokesperson will help us get the message out to raise money for those who are visually impaired and in desperate need of these amazing guide dogs.”
 The graduates were placed in training 28 days before this graduation and walked more than 100 miles throughout the Coachella Valley with their canine partners in preparation for this special day.
This drive in along interstate 10 is quite a sight with majestic views of desert mountains and windmills working in unison to create energy. The windmills took on a special meaning along with the song by Bette Midler, which was played during the ceremony slide show. "The Wind Beneath my Wings."
Puppy raiser Mimi Romereo said it best, for these are tears of joy, ”We don’t lose our four-legged family members at graduation; we gain two-legged ones. We are not sad to lose these animals yet pleased and excited for graduation."
To learn more about how to apply for a dog, make a donation, become a puppy raiser or volunteer, call 760-329-6257.
For more photos by Yvonne Scott, click here.
For more photos by Pat Krause, click here.
To learn more about Guide Dogs of the Desert, click here.
For more information about PETCO, click here.
For more information about Natural Balance, click here.
For more about Paula Abdul, click here.
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