[il-talk] Fwd: New Jersey considering Seeing Eye dog as state dog!

[Harris Singer]

Hi everyone,
for all the drama about guide dogs on planes, here's something fun.
Seeing Eye is working to get the Seeing Eye dog the official dog of
the State of New Jersey.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "news at seeingeye.org" <news at seeingeye.org>
Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2018 15:02:14 -0500
Subject: New Jersey considering Seeing Eye dog as state dog!
To: Harris Singer <harris.singer at gmail.com>

The Seeing Eye



Dear graduate of The Seeing Eye,

Hello everyone! Here's an update on an exciting project we've been
working on.

Many states have an official State Dog. New Jersey doesn't have one...
but we suggested to our state lawmakers that the Seeing Eye® dog
should have that honor!

To that end, last week state Senator Anthony R. Bucco introduced a
bill in the state Senate that would do just that, and his son,
Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco, intends to support it in the state
Assembly. The Senator's office has issued a press release with more
information -- you can read it at
http://support.seeingeye.org/site/R?i=5LHAAh71B2DKslhE8betOg .
The text of the press release is also at the bottom of this message.

We will keep you posted!

Craig Garretson
Senior Communications Officer
The Seeing Eye

Text of press release from the office of Senator Bucco:

New Jersey's 25th Legislative District Senator Anthony Bucco

New Bucco Bill Would Designate the Seeing Eye® Dog as NJ State Dog

July 30, 2018
Contact: Brittany O'Neill / 609-847-3600

Bill Honors Service Animals Trained by New Jersey Organization

Senator Anthony Bucco (R-Morris, Somerset) has introduced legislation
that would designate the Seeing Eye® dog as the official New
Jersey State Dog.

The Seeing Eye headquarters is located in Morristown. The organization
has trained and matched more than 17,000 visually-impaired individuals
with service animals.

Sen. Anthony Bucco's bill would designate the Seeing Eye®
dog as the official New Jersey State Dog.

"We often take for granted seeing a stop sign or the edge of a
train platform, but for those who are visually-impaired, something so
simple can become a critical or even life-threatening obstacle,"
Bucco said. "Every day, Seeing Eye dogs are trained in Morris
County to create safety, independence, and mobility for those in need.
This legislation is a great way to honor all they have done for the
thousands of people in need of a loving service animal in New
Jersey."

"We started the guide dog movement in the United States nearly
90 years ago, setting the standard and linking The Seeing Eye and the
State of New Jersey as pioneers in the service dog industry. We thank
Sen. Bucco for introducing this bill, and for recognizing our long
history," said Jim Kutsch, Seeing Eye President and CEO.
"Each year, hundreds of individuals travel to Morris County from
across the United States and Canada to enhance their independence with
a Seeing Eye® dog, and our iconic brand is recognized around the
world for the highest level of guide dog quality."

Bucco noted that the Seeing Eye organization has also done a
tremendous job at meeting the needs of New Jersey's veterans.
Seeing Eye prioritizes applications submitted by service members, and
veterans are only charged a nominal $1 fee for the cost of the dog,
instruction, and other resources.

Presently, there are four primary canine breeds trained to be Seeing
Eye dogs: German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers,
and Labrador/Golden Crosses.

"A Seeing Eye dog's intelligence, loyalty, and gentle
temperament make the animal an important resource for those who are
visually-impaired," Bucco added. "The goal of this
legislation is to not only honor Seeing Eye dogs, but to also educate
the public on how valuable these animals are for people with
disabilities across New Jersey. I hope to see it become law as soon as
possible."

The Seeing Eye
10 Washington Valley Road
Morristown, NJ 07960
ph (973) 539-4425
e info at seeingeye.org

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