Palmetto, FL -- Training is getting underway at Southeastern Guide Dogs, however, this time it is not the dogs in training, it's the staff. Several Southeastern staff members and volunteer puppy raisers have signed on to participate in the Women's Half Marathon of St. Pete on November 21, 2010. And the leader of the team? That would be Lt. Col. Kathy Champion, a graduate of the guide dog school, who is legally blind from a virus she contracted while serving in Iraq. "I have committed to raising $2 million for Southeastern's Paws for Patriots program and this run is just one of the ways I am working toward that goal. It is my way of giving back to the program that has given me back my independence, it's the least I can do." stated Champion.
Southeastern's Paws for Patriots(TM) program partners visually impaired veterans with professionally trained guide dogs. The organization also trains guide dogs for veterans with multiple disabilities. In addition to providing guide dogs to blinded soldiers, the organization provides companion service dogs to veterans suffering the consequences of PTSD. Southeastern also places facility therapy dogs at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. and the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD to spread encouragement to soldiers as they recover from their injuries. Southeastern receives no government funding and supplies the dogs at no charge to the recipients, thanks to the support of generous donors.
Joining Champion and the Southeastern staff and puppy raisers on the "Paws for Patriots Women" team will be a number of notable individuals from the Pentagon intelligence community, Black Ops, SOCOM and even an Olympian. "Right now we have 22 people on the team and I am just thrilled with the support we are receiving. Athletic clothing manufacturer Under Armor, has agreed to sponsor a guide dog puppy if we all cross the finish line" noted Champion. And when they do cross the finish line, it will be in true Southeastern style, each team member will finish the tail end of the race with a guide dog-in-training and leader Champion will be with her guide, Angel.
About Southeastern Guide Dogs: Established in 1982, Southeastern Guide Dogs' mission is to create and nurture a partnership between a visually impaired individual and a guide dog, facilitating life's journey with mobility, independence and dignity. Through their programs Paws for Independence(TM), Paws for Patriots(TM), and Gifted Canines(TM) they have more than 700 active guide dog teams across the nation and continue to add more than 70 teams annually, all at no charge to the guide dog recipient, thanks to the generous support of donors and volunteers. Visit GuideDogs.org for further information.
Visit GuideDogs.org to view a video about Kathy Champion and her guide Angel.
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