Now that the fall semester has started back up, you might be seeing not only more students on the Texas Tech campus grounds, but as well as more puppies, some of them even in class.
When the Lone Star Guide Dog Raisers Lubbock chapter first began meeting in January, the group had only one puppy being raised, “Fanta,” by her owner Kaitlyn Beckert, a Texas Tech graduate student and co-leader for the group.
Today, there are now five other puppies being raised and the group is continuously growing and being branched out to the community as well.
“It’s really great to be able to take the dogs to class because they get the experience of working on busy college campus as well as a working environment,” said Beckert.
The Texas Tech Delta Gamma chapter has even decided to work closely alongside the group as apart of their philanthropy work, “Service for Sight.”
“Some people look a little confused as to why I have a younger dog on campus but a lot of people ask me questions and they’re starting to learn about guide dogs and service dogs,” said Sami Spidell, a Lone Star Guide Dog Raiser and member of the Tech Delta Gamma sorority. “Even though the dogs are very young they’re learning a lot and are really well behaved.”
For students like John Vickers who are blind, it means a great deal to see his fellow students working together to raise more guide dogs. Over the summer, Vickers’ dog retired after falling ill with cancer. He’s expecting to get a new dog in January.
“It makes me very happy to see that there are actually people you know that are willing to take the time and help out with in the blind community or guide dog community, I should say,” said Vickers. “It’s amazing it’s a life changing organization and it’s a life-changer to get a guide dog.”
Although more geared toward Texas Tech students, the Lone Star Guide Dog Raisers Lubbock chapter also welcomes members of the community to join their efforts as well. To learn how, click here.
