Printed in November 1997 The Heart of Marengo Magazine. Union Lioness Learns About Guide Dogs By Dawn Seemann On September 11, 1997 the Union Lioness Club had the sincere pleasure of having a very special guest speaker at their monthly meeting. His name was Pierre Berube. He is 47 years old, married, has a twenty-year-old son and is blind. He lost his vision when he was 39 years old due to retina detachment and glaucoma. Pierre has a best friend named Dusty who is an eight year old Labrador Retriever/Collie mix who he received in 1991 from the Leader Dog School For the Blind. At the Lioness meeting Pierre spoke not only about the Leader Dog Program but also about blind awareness because he wanted to give the members "a little bit of flavor of what it's like on the other side." He began by stating, "There is no discrimination when you lose your sight, you could be male or female. "Being disabled is the only minority that anybody can join." He talked about the struggle he had to go through the first year with having to learn everything all over again. He had to learn how to read and write in Braille. He spoke about several types of equipment made to aid the blind including, but not limited to, talking calculators, talking watches, Braille watches, compasses and pocketwatches, even a vibrating sensor to let him know when someone or something is in front of him. There are also talking computers, which he has two . of, one at home and one at work. Pierre is a telemarketer. He joked when talking about his job by adding, "Yes, I'm the kind of person that you hang up on at night." He doesn't sell to people at home, he sells comouter supplies and magnetic media to big companies. Besides having to learn how to read and write Braille, Pierre also had to learn how to get around town. When he first started learning how to get around he had the common white cane which he used to feel where he was going. It took him a year and a half to know his hometown of Crystal Lake and its landmarks. He demonstrated how coordination is needed to use the cane properly and explained the reason for this. Before he received his dog, Dusty, he was trying to cross Route 14 one day and a car hit him and his cane. The cane went flying. The car never stopped and he was unable to continue to cross the street without his cane. Fortunately, he wasn't seriously hurt. He just froze. No one even stopped to help. Finally someone retrieved his cane for him so he could proceed. Pierre says that a lot of people think its boring to be blind because he can't watch TV or football games, but he states, "Hey, there's nothing that we can't do, we just do things a little bit different. I have a TV receiver by my bed with ear phones so I can listen to Jay Leno and have a good time." He has a hobby of collecting old-time radio cassettes which he loves to listen to. He also likes to play cards, but because he can't see them like you and me, he uses a special deck of Braille cards. He has a very large deck of cards which he typed the Braille letters onto them himself! He joked about going to Las Vegas because they won't let him bring his own cards. Pierre has a very good'sense of humor. He said it took him' about three years after he went blind to get his sense of humor back because of his struggle to relearn everything and also feeling sorry for himself. He doesn't let his blindness get in his way of doing what he wants. He backpacks, camps and is even a scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts. He has been involved with scouting since 1958 when he was a boy, and enjoys it now as an adult leader. (Photo) Berube was the guest speaker at the Union Lioness Meeting Photo by Dawn Seemann. In 1991 Pierre received Dusty; and Dusty became his eyes. There are fourteen guide dog schools in the United States. Pierre enrolled at the Leader Dog School for the Blind located in Rochester, Michigan where they house 365 dogs and go through 30 participants a month. When Pierre first entered the school he had to walk around with a trainer with an empty harness for three days and at the end of the third day he received his dog and was given time alone with his dog to have the bonding process begin. It takes twenty-eight days of training with your guide dog before you can take him home and you're on your own. He talked about the time when he got off the plane at O'Hare Airport with Dusty and someone yelled, "Is that one of them blind dogs?" Pierre's comment was, "I hope not, I hope he can see!" He stated that his life changed tremendously since he got Dusty. "Ever since I got Dusty everything has opened up, When I had the cane nobody wanted to talk to me. Nobody said, 'Oh, what a cute cane you got there.' But as soon as I got Dusty they would all say, 'Boy your dog is pretty, ain't he a cute dog' I would just sit there and go, 'Woof, woof, talk to me I'm cute too!... He states, "Dusty is a tool, he is my eyes, he gets me around." Guide dogs are taught hand and verbal signals. Pierre demonstrated many commands Dusty was taught such as going forward when told, following someone on command and even finding a chair for Pierre to sit in. If a guide dog is in its harness he is not to be petted. He is to only listen to his owner, no one else. When the harness is off, the dog is completely different. Dusty showed a totally different mannerism when he was out of his harness. He became a very friendly, tail-wagging, social dog. When his harness was put back on he calmed right down. This is taught for safety reasons so the dog will pay full attention to his surroundings and to what he is doing and not looking to socialize. When Dusty is "working" he will do many things such as stop at curbs or take Pierre across a busy intersection. If he is asked to go forward and it is unsafe, Dusty will not go. He makes the decision as to whether to go or not. Dusty knows right from left when told what direction to go. He can find objects on command as well. For example when told to find a chair, the car, the backpack, the tent and so forth he is able to do so, however, Pierre has been unsuccessful in teaching Dusty how to find his keys! He did, however, teach him how to hug. He told several jokes during his lecture, one of which was, "There are two things I can't do since I went blind. One of them to go bungee cord jumping because I can't find a leash long enough! The other thing is parachuting because it scares the heck out of my dog!" Pierre made a comment about his friends in saying that after he went blind a lot of his friends quit talking to him because they didn't know how to treat him or what to say. Although this is a very common reaction, it is the wrong attitude to have. Pierre stated he felt hurt and extremely soffy for himself. People who are blind are human too, and should be treated as such, not ignored or treated as though they have a contagious disease. When a blind person graduates from the Leader Dog School for the Blind they are given an identification card which allows them to go into restaurants, airplanes, trains, busses, cabs or just about anywhere with their dog. Because the dogs go into public places they must be kept extraordinarily clean. They must be bathed regularly and have their teeth brushed daily. This is so they don't offend anyone with a "doggie odor." The Leader Dog School for the Blind is located in Rochester, Michigan. It was founded in 1939 by three Lions Club members. The Leader Dog School offers its services through the Lions and lioness Clubs of all states. They help to inform the public that blind people who wish to be free and mobile can have a Leader Dog for the asking. Any Lions of Lioness Club member can write on behalf of a blind candidate to obtain an application. Over 10,000 leader dogs have been trained since the founding of the school. Dogs between the ages of one year to two and one-half years old are accepted and trained to be guide dogs. They must first pass an extremely particular physical examination by a veterinarian. The puppies are raised in individual homes until they reach the age of approximately one year old, at which time they are entered into the formal training program. The most common breeds of dogs used as guide dogs are German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and crossbreeds of the three. According to the facts about leader dogs, the main qualifications necessary for all leader dogs is they must be friendly, healthy, willing to lead out, accustomed to people, fairly good-looking and able to accept responsibility. The sex of the dog doesn't matter but they must be at least 20 inches at the shoulder. Training of the dogs begins with basic obedience commands such as come, sit down, stay and heel. Once that has been mastered they are taught to observe curbs, pedestrians, parking meters, low awnings and begin to learn about traffic and other hazards. Finally, they are introduced into confusing situations like heavy traffic, crowded areas, revolving doors, elevators and different noises. Blind people who have become students at the school live in dorms for 25 days. They learn together with their dogs many things such as team work, coordination and independent travel. They face certain traffic problems, find stores and learn specific routes around town. The student is responsible for feeding, exercising and the grooming of their dog. This is how they "win" the dog's devotion and respect. Any legally blind person in good health who is 18 years of age or older and is emotionally stable, of good moral character and basic orientation and mobility skills is eligible for a leader dog. The approximate cost to train a guide dog is $17,000. Leader dogs for the Blind is supported by Lions and Lioness Clubs and individuals who recognize the value of the training program. Donations are always needed and deeply appreciated. Leader Dogs are the greatest "tools" for a blind person. Not only do they provide companionship, but they minimize the 11 handicap of blindness and permit travel freedom which allows an individual to go where they want without having to wait for a relative or friend to assist them. They protect against everyday travel hazards and provide safety under trying conditions. Pierre Berube is an extremely humorous, good natured, kind and thoughtful person. He gave an excellent talk about what it's like to be blind and the way the Leader Dog School for the Blind can really help someone in need of a guide dog. As a way of saying "thank you" and in support of the Leader Dog Program, the Union Lioness Club has graciously made a donation of $250 to the Leader Dog Program. If you would like to make a donation to the Leader Dog School for the Blind or would like more information about this fantastic program you can write to Leader Dogs for the Blind, P.O. Box 5000, Rochester, MI 48307-3115 or (248) 651-9011 Monday through Friday 8:30 AM until 4 PM. Man's best friend proves his value and loyalty once again.