I know some folks over time have expressed how they would not be able to raise because of how hard it is to let go or what a great thing I am doing, etc. I want to share a post from a fb page which is just for GEB raisers and vision impaired graduates. When you read it, I hope what comes through is how much I receive from this undertaking. The post is by a visually impaired owner:
"After the conference call with puppy raisers last night, I sat for a while contemplating the one message that I hope all of you puppy raisers heard there and, more importantly, understand every single moment: we as handlers owe you a debt that we could never repay. I tell people often that Nacho guides as well as he does because of the trainers but that he is as good and loyal and calm and silly and fantastic as he is because of the raisers. If you did not do what you do, we could not do what we do. If you were not willing to pour yourself into a wiggly puppy who has a lot to learn, we could not hold the handle of a harness and trust that our next step forward will be safe.
When I visited Vermont a few years ago and took Nacho back to Tara S. where he was raised, he remembered everything with exuberant and uncontrolled delight. I wanted that for him, for he is who he is because a family was willing to prepare him to be what I needed him to be. It is a bridge, a bond, a blessing. We feel your generous, sacrificial love with every single step we take as a team, all of us, every step, always.
In gratitude,
Kathy N. and Nacho"