The Braille Institute of Los Angeles invites Guide Dogs for the Blind to present Lifestyle workshops to their students. Keith Tomlinson, certified guide dog instructor Orientation and Mobility specialist, and GDB area Field Representative is the facilitator. Melissa with her guide Anya and Pat regularly participate in these opportunities to prospective GDB clients to share what it is like having a guide dog. Pat brings retired guide Glee and fully trained for guidework Trason with her for the activities.
For the May workshop, GDB Graduate Outreach Manager Aerial Gilbert with her guide Splash joined the panel. Included in the program are Juno walks, dog handling, and guide dog walks. These workshops are always very popular and result in the blind/visually impaired population being more informed as to possibilities and opportunities for their future.
Following the half day program to adults, the panel was invited to present to a group of blind/visually impaired youth ages 9-11. Providing information early helps the youth to understand more about guide dogs and how they can facilitate independent travel as well as companionship through the human/animal bond. Trason and Glee were a big hit as well as both working guides, Splash and Anya, who joined in the informal good times out of harness.
