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

[Deborah Kent Stein]

As a New Jersey native and a Seeing Eye graduate, I love it!

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 30, 2018, at 6:41 PM, Harris Singer via IL-Talk <il-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 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
> 
> unsubscribe: http://seeing.convio.net/site/CO?i=ghwHzZVqYnj5vNVIS_DN3mNBUu7Z9Ku3&cid=1061
> 
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