The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has evidently thwarted everyone’s plan to go on road trips. Among those affected include dogs who also enjoy going out and traveling with their families.
However, eight Labrador retrievers, are going on a journey that is worth treasuring forever. These eight pups are working with an organization called Guiding Eyes for the Blind, which places guide dogs for free. Because commercial flights have been canceled, the organizers have to get creative. They have come up with a multi-day road trip to Ohio, Illinois, and Colorado!
The dogs are hitting the road
It’s an exciting trip, indeed! The dogs will ride a recreational vehicle (RV), which is equipped with special crates. That way, the dogs will be comfortable on the road. At each of the stops, a few of the dogs will be meeting their volunteer fosters, so they will surely be able to continue their guide dog training.
On the other hand, six of the dogs that have already completed their harness training are making their way to their foster families in Colorado and Ohio. There, the dogs will be picked up by an instructor. The other two dogs are actually a Guiding Eyes for the Blind’s first youth program dog and an alumnus returning to his handler.
People online can’t get enough of the participating dogs. A picture of them was recently uploaded to Facebook where it received about one thousand likes and had been shared a hundred times.
Other shelters have also found hope
Guiding Eyes for the Blind is not the only organization that had problems with animal transport and logistics during the pandemic. Big Dog Rescue Ranch, a Florida-based dog rescue organization, is also making some changes and working on adapting to the times. The said organization has been raising awareness about the dogs needing help in Puerto Rico.
Speaking of Puerto Rico, a sanctuary there called Santuario Canita was able to charter two cargo flights for 250 dogs. This had been possible through Big Dog Rescue Ranch, which created a GoFundMe page where they were able to raise $50,000.
Image Source: Guiding Eyes for the Blind via Facebook