Lucas: A Puppy with a Purpose
Lucas is one of countless young dogs across the US in training to become a seeing-eye dog for the blind and visually impaired. I have been raising Lucas since April and we have grown together in his training and socializing. Lucas and I go to see movies together, he goes food shopping with us and he even makes the late night 'Wally World' run for juice.
Animals have always been my passion and I was ecstatic when my parents agreed that I could raise a puppy for Guiding Eyes. Ever since I have left my alternative private school, I have constantly been contrasting my K-8 experience to that of my peers in the public high school where I am now a sophomore. One thing I have really realized as a black and white comparison is that of passion. My passion for animals was always nurtured at my Waldorf-inspired middle school. I even did a large educational project about animal rights that even got me some media attention.
When I think of my old classmates back in my middle school, I can name at least one thing for each and every student that I know they're passionate about. I can't do the same for my new public school friends. This, to me is one of the most important things a school can give you: a passion for something--anything, really. Apathy is such a big issue in my generation. We can't afford NOT to care and yet somehow it seems a lack of caring permeates my high school. Education to me is not just teaching and learning, but it's also being taught how to learn so that you can go out into the world and learn new information and gain new skills everyday, and have a thirst for knowledge. After completing a whole year of a brand new school I am proud of myself, and I'm doing what I love. Lucas is sleeping at the bottom of my bed as I write this. We call him a "puppy with a purpose.” His time with me is limited to 18 months and then he moves on to the next phase of his training. As his teacher and partner, I am trying to give him what I received from my own early education: curiosity, a love of learning, an interest in service, an open heart, and a passion for life that will carry him through the long years ahead when someone's safety will lie in his capable paws.
For more information or to learn how you can help visit Guiding Eyes.
Lucas at 16 weeks
Posted in on Aug 06, 2010 - 10:50 PM
I stood waiting in line under the fluorescent light of my local Super Wal-Mart, a container of juice in my right hand. This was a very rare scene for me because I don't shop at Wal-Mart as a habit, but what made this occasion really rare was what was in my left hand. I looked down at the leather leash in my fist, the kind they usually use for service dogs in training. I followed the leash down until my gaze was met with soft brown eyes. At my side sat a six-month old black lab puppy wearing a red 'Guiding Eyes for the Blind' bandanna and a matching red collar with a name-tag that read: LUCAS.Lucas is one of countless young dogs across the US in training to become a seeing-eye dog for the blind and visually impaired. I have been raising Lucas since April and we have grown together in his training and socializing. Lucas and I go to see movies together, he goes food shopping with us and he even makes the late night 'Wally World' run for juice.
Animals have always been my passion and I was ecstatic when my parents agreed that I could raise a puppy for Guiding Eyes. Ever since I have left my alternative private school, I have constantly been contrasting my K-8 experience to that of my peers in the public high school where I am now a sophomore. One thing I have really realized as a black and white comparison is that of passion. My passion for animals was always nurtured at my Waldorf-inspired middle school. I even did a large educational project about animal rights that even got me some media attention.
When I think of my old classmates back in my middle school, I can name at least one thing for each and every student that I know they're passionate about. I can't do the same for my new public school friends. This, to me is one of the most important things a school can give you: a passion for something--anything, really. Apathy is such a big issue in my generation. We can't afford NOT to care and yet somehow it seems a lack of caring permeates my high school. Education to me is not just teaching and learning, but it's also being taught how to learn so that you can go out into the world and learn new information and gain new skills everyday, and have a thirst for knowledge. After completing a whole year of a brand new school I am proud of myself, and I'm doing what I love. Lucas is sleeping at the bottom of my bed as I write this. We call him a "puppy with a purpose.” His time with me is limited to 18 months and then he moves on to the next phase of his training. As his teacher and partner, I am trying to give him what I received from my own early education: curiosity, a love of learning, an interest in service, an open heart, and a passion for life that will carry him through the long years ahead when someone's safety will lie in his capable paws.
For more information or to learn how you can help visit Guiding Eyes.
Lucas at 16 weeks
Tags for this entry:
learning,
leadership,
compassion,
lifelong learning,
alternative education,
lessons from pets
