Courtney Cook, 21, a Warwick High School graduate and current Millersville University junior studying psychology, has been raising dogs for The Seeing Eye Inc., located in Morristown, N.J., since about the age of 8. Working with her family and the Lancaster County 4-H Seeing Eye Puppy Club, Puppies With a Purpose, which meets regularly at the Farm and Home Center, Courtney has helped raise about 10 dogs, most of which have gone on to become working dogs, guiding those with vision impairments.

"When I was 6 (years old), I really wanted a dog," recalled Courtney, whose mother, Paula, was not sure the youngster was quite ready for the responsibility. Paula looked into raising a puppy to become an assistance dog and found the process too intensive. After learning the requirements for Seeing Eye puppies, though, she decided to give it a try, putting the first dog under her own name. Courtney, however, surprised her mom, completing much more of the dog's care and training than Paula had expected.

"The two main things we do for the dogs is socialization and loving them," said Courtney. "That's the basic puppy raiser formula." Included in that formula are commands such as sit, down, forward to start walking, and rest for stay. Housetraining is one of the first tasks, since the puppies are only seven weeks old when they arrive and do not even know their names. Courtney explained that housetraining is important because the dog must learn to utilize different surfaces, since its eventual owner may live in a city with limited access to grass.

Socialization involves taking the dog to stores and other public areas, such as parks. Courtney brought Ives, the German shepherd she is currently raising - Seeing Eye also breeds golden retrievers, Labradors, and a golden/Labrador mix to be guide dogs - to Lititz Springs Park for the interview for this article, and she pointed out the distractions there she uses to train him. "There's water going under a bridge, ducks quacking, kids screaming, trucks (on Route 501)," she said. "We give them praise (rather than food) as a reward," she noted. "It establishes the bond so that they are looking to please you and want to work for you." She added that those who see a dog being trained and wish to interact should ask the trainer. "If it's a working guide dog in its harness, it's very important that people don't approach them and talk to them or pet them," she said. "They are working, and they need to be focused."

Dogs remain with their puppy raisers for about 15 months before returning to Morristown, where a Seeing Eye trainer works with them for approximately four more months to complete their training. At the end of that time period, the dog will complete a "town walk" with the trainer. The puppy raisers may walk with a guide about half a block behind during this event. "The dog guides (the trainer) through the streets of Morristown and shows off what he's learned," said Courtney, who noted that the successful dog will stop at curbs and for cars, avoid objects, and ignore other dogs. Once the dog graduates, it will be assigned a student who has vision impairment or is blind to work with, eventually becoming that student's dog.

Courtney said that Ives, who is a little over a year old now, already loves to work. "As soon as his leash comes out, he knows he is going to work," she said. "They love to work, and you can see it."

Readers who would like to know more about the Lancaster County 4-H Seeing Eye puppy club may visit https://extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h/counties/lancaster/clubs/project-clubs.