Queen’s Training
An inmate at the Ft. Dodge Correctional Facility, located in Webster County, Iowa was first introduced to golden retriever puppy Queen on August 26, 2011. For 12 months, he raised Queen just like any other puppy raiser, only he did it during his sentence at the correctional facility.
“I started to raise because I thought it would be fun to raise a puppy. What I didn’t realize at the time was how much of an impact I was making for a visually impaired person. I had always done things with my own well-being in mind; I didn’t think of others. Raising a puppy for Leader Dog is one of the best things I have done. I am helping someone regain his or her independence… Queen will make a great partner for someone.”
Queen is now a Leader Dog in training and working on her Intermediate Skills. She is learning how to navigate through obstacles, cross streets safely, and avoid possible distractions like squirrels and cars. Queen could not have made it this far without her puppy raiser and his early guidance. He and the other prison puppy raisers play a key role in helping people who are blind gain travel independence through their Leader Dogs.
