First-graders’ money going to the dogs

Published: May 18, 2006 | 4187th good news item since 2003

First-grader Bijou Jackson got money from the tooth fairy when her front tooth fell out, and gave it to the dogs.

Robert Ethridge, also a first-grader at the Primary School, gave away change he would have spent on video games.

So did Jose Tochiuitl, and as a thank-you, he got his finger licked by a happy Seeing Eye puppy that, with training, will help guide a blind person.

Ninety first-graders at the school have been collecting money for The Seeing Eye’s Pennies for Puppies program since March. The Seeing Eye is a dog-guide school in Morristown.

And Wednesday, the children got a firsthand look at where their money is going. Four tail-wagging, warm-eyed, furry Seeing Eye puppies-in-training visited the school.

“I gave my tooth money because I love those dogs so much,” Bijou said after she got to pet Poncho, a 5 1/2-month-old German shepherd.

Six first-grade classes donated $250 Wednesday to The Seeing Eye, and the children were paid back in licks and a chance to pet four happy dogs.

“I think it’s sweet,” said Maryann Devine of the Lincroft section of Middletown, who is raising Poncho until it’s his turn to go to The Seeing Eye boot camp in Morris Township. “It’s wonderful that these kids did it.”

Devine and three others adopt and raise puppies for 1 1/2 years for The Seeing Eye through the Monmouth County 4-H program. It’s their job to help give the dogs the kind of social skills they wouldn’t get in a kennel, said Barbara Fuller, leader of the 4-H Wagging Wonders club.

“The kids gave money, and that’s great. It helps with the puppy-raising,” said Fuller, who is awaiting her ninth Seeing Eye puppy. “They got to see and touch what they gave their money for.”

Robert, who is 7, got to meet Poncho when the four dogs participated in a “meet and greet” in the school cafeteria.

“I petted him,” he said.

Red Bank pupils got praise from another student, Kevin Lyons, 10, of Little Silver, who is raising a Seeing Eye puppy named Tyson, who is almost as big as he is.

“I think it’s really good,” he said. “They’re trying to help and do some community service.”

The first-graders did more than collect money. They learned about The Seeing Eye and read a book about Buddy, the first Seeing Eye guide dog. Teacher Anne Szczurek coordinated the program with first-grade classes taught by Karen Gerber, Andrea Fontenez, Diana Pitsch, Lucille Quinn and Barbara Beck.

Training the puppies isn’t easy.

“It’s a lot of hard work,” Fuller said. The dogs “have to learn to be quiet and obedient, but also to be puppies. They’re the only dogs I know that come with a full book of instructions (from Seeing Eye).”

One thing the trainers can’t do is give the puppies table scraps or treats, so the dog doesn’t develop bad habits, Lyons said.

“It’s just like having a normal dog,” said Lyons, who is bringing up the family’s first Seeing Eye puppy.

Families that adopt a puppy must keep a log detailing the animal’s temperament and traits.

After the foster families return the puppies to The Seeing Eye, the dogs go through an intensive “boot camp” training for four months. After that, a blind person and a guide dog are matched up, and they train together for a month at The Seeing Eye.

“We take them to school and on the train to get them accustomed to sights and sounds,” Fuller said.

The downside is that families must turn over the dogs to Seeing Eye after 18 months. But they can adopt and train another puppy, Fuller said. Sometimes, if a puppy doesn’t make it through 4-H training, the dog is offered back to the family, she said.

“It was tough with the first one,” Devine said. “He’s a happy blur. We got another puppy quickly.”

Published in Kids & Teens
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