FEATURE STORY — November/December 2006

Guide dog Harrington (Photo courtesy of Paula White Vehlow)

Meeting Harrington

By Patti Schonlau

Editor's note: Below is the recollection of Patti Schonlau on meeting her guide dog Harrington, named after Illini basketball player Sean Harrington '03 COM. The dog was raised by the Vehlow family in Sherman, Ill., which names the dogs they help raise after University of Illinois athletes.

I held her face in my hands and said in the midst of tears, "You be a good girl," and gave her one last hug. I know she cried, too, but our parting was inevitable.
My heart ached with a blend of gratitude and intense sadness, for, although Lucy had been a vital part of my life for seven years, it was time for her to retire and become "just a dog."

I have had the privilege to work with Leader Dogs for the past 14 years. The first one entered my life in August 1991. Layla was a black Labrador retriever, beautiful and dedicated. At age 10, Layla was forced to retire when she lost her depth perception and was no longer able to see steps. The unique bond we developed made it painful for us to part.

I was without a dog for two days. And those days were nothing but torture and despair.
Lucy, a yellow Labrador, came none too soon. My love for her increased slowly. Lucy proved to be a great Leader Dog. She dedicated her life to working every day for seven years, providing me with self-assurance as well as the ability to travel independently both in my neighborhood and workplace.

When Lucy turned 8, she retired to a new home and the care of gracious and loving people.

June 2005: Time for my next leader dog. My husband and I headed for the airport and the Leader Dog School in Rochester, Mich.

In Detroit, the Leader Dog staff met me at the airport. Several other blind and visually impaired people accompanied me to the Leader Dog School. As we rode from Detroit to Rochester, we each were eager to get acquainted and begin our personal journey, which would end when we left the school with a new Leader Dog. Some of us had dogs before, and others were getting their first one.

Each of us was excited and ready to begin a new chapter in our lives.
Upon arriving at Leader Dog, we were taken to our rooms and given time to unpack and become familiar with this gorgeous facility. It is a $10 million physical plant, and it truly is like a resort. The hospitality the staff gave us was incredible. Every staff person is unbelievably dedicated and supportive, focused on helping students to become as successful as their individual abilities will permit.

After dinner, a trainer interviewed me, asking specific questions about my personal needs and expectations of a Leader Dog. Quickly, the trainer announced that he had a dog on his string that would be perfect for me.

The next two days were spent learning about master and dog expectations, carrying an empty harness to become accustomed to traveling with a dog and becoming more familiar with the facility.

On Wednesday at 1 p.m., we met our dogs. I received a male golden retriever named Harrington [after former Illini basketball player Sean Harrington]. Harrington was 18 months old. He weighed 62 pounds and was overflowing with love and energy.

From the moment a student receives his or her new Leader Dog, it is expected that the team will have 24-hour, seven-day-a-week contact so bonding can to occur. Quickly, I decided to give Harrington a nickname. I felt "Harry" was a more appropriate name for this boy.

The daily routine of our working day was the following:
6 a.m. - Alarm clock rings loudly. Dogs are taken out to the park. (Relief purposes.)
Return to student bedroom and water dog.
7:30 a.m. - Breakfast.
8:30 a.m. - Load bus and travel to work site.
11 a.m. - Return to Leader Dog. Park and water dog.
Noon - Lunch
1 p.m. - Load bus and travel to afternoon work site.
4 p.m. - Return to Leader Dog. Park and water dog.
5 p.m. - Feed dog. (This happens only once a day.)
5:30 p.m. - Dinner.
6:15 p.m. - Water dog.
6:30 p.m. - Evening lecture.
8 p.m. - Park dog for the last time before retiring for the evening.
8:30 p.m. - Free time.
10 p.m. - Observe quiet hours.

Harry and I progressed quickly, and on the tenth day of training, my trainers and I decided that we were ready to go home. I was pleased and felt confident that Harry and I would become an excellent working team. I know this takes many long hours of work and months of bonding for this to happen.

On Saturday, June 18, the greatest joy of my journey took place. I had never met the puppy raisers who loved and nurtured my first two dogs. I met Molly, Harry's puppy raiser.

The other students and I sat on plastic chairs in the banquet room, waiting to meet our puppy raisers, our emotions running wildly through our minds. I prayed that Molly would like me and would feel that her effort, love and sacrifice had been worth her struggle. Molly approached Harry and me with love and devotion. Her spirit of serene understanding and fulfillment filled my heart when she began to say to Harry, "Puppy, puppy." At first Harry did not recognize Molly, but when the realization of who she was came to him, he went crazy with emotion.

Molly was wonderful. She had so many questions. She wanted to learn about my life and the destiny of her sweet baby, Harrington. This experience was the greatest highlight of my personal journey in receiving Harry. Molly shared her sincere love for Harrington and her wish for her baby to live a life of meaningful service so that he would fulfill his destiny. With tears of joy, I thanked Molly for her dedication to Leader Dog, for being a puppy raiser and for giving me the opportunity to live a productive, independent life. Not only will Harrington be "the light of my life" but he will touch so many blind and visually impaired persons as well as fully sighted people.

Molly returned on Sunday to present a precious album containing pictures of her Harrington throughout his puppyhood. Molly requested that Harrington be returned to her upon his retirement. I agreed. I feel confident that Molly and Harrington will keep in touch throughout the years.

Harry and I left Leader Dog on Monday, June 20. As we stepped into life as a team, Harry became a professional working dog. Harry held his head with dignity and presented himself to the world with confidence, loyalty, and promise. I have many places to go and things to do in the years ahead, and Harry will be my partner along my way.

Schonlau is transition skills teacher at the Missouri School for the Blind.