Andrea Rosebrock 
I don’t know if any of you are American Idol fan or not but this story caught my attention, it’s really sweet. This season one of the contestants on Idol was Scott MacIntyre who was visually impaired. He got the boot about 5 weeks ago but his Idol status really help to raise the awareness of the visually challenged and how something like that is not a deterrent to success. It was really quite heartwarming and from what I saw, Scott is a really sweet guy too.
Well, Paula Abdul played a “trick” on Scott and told him he was going to be singing, instead she surprised him with the incredible gift of a guide dog. He got to check out a few of the pooches there but won’t be training with his until after the AI tour. Then he’ll have a 28 day training after he’s matched with just the right dog.
“We have to find a dog that really likes loud music,” joked Paula.
Abdul, along with Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Pet Foods, Petco and independent pet stores, have teamed up to raise money and awareness of guide dogs. May is National Guide Dog Month.
Last month Paula also handed along seven guide dogs to blind US vets at a guide dog graduation ceremony at the Guide Dogs of the Desert facility in Palm Springs, California where she took the time to learn a bit about what it is like to be visually impaired. Blindfolded, she went through the training course just to learn a little of the reliance the blind have on their incredible furry companions.
Abdul said, “The independence and mobility that a guide dog can bring a blind person is immeasurable. Seeing how vital these dogs are, and learning how much time and energy goes into training just one, is awe-inspiring.”
It always nice when someone high profile comes out and does something like this, brings attention to something that most of us don’t think about. I have a special place in my heart for service dogs and working dogs, true heroes all!
This is wonderful news and I know this fellow will be kind to this dog,,however I no longer support the dog guide programs since I learned from experience that far too many of these wonderful dogs are terribly abused and neglected..and simply thought of as a tool..put in the corner for when needed..and not given any stimulation or love or respect. Far too many guide dog owners are alcoholics and horrifically abuse these precious dogs and neither the trainers or the training facilites check up on the other than to make sure they have their yearly vaccs..please Paula..check on the condition of these dogs and spread the word ! They are so vulnerable and hidden from the world..and they suffer so. Thanks for reading….
Janet, I really think most people care dearly for their service and companion animals. They are such an integral part of their lives. I really support these programs and have great respect for the trainers and most of the organizations. Hopefully the bad cases are few and far between but there’s good and bad everywhere sadly.
D.
Janet is right. I too have seen some blind people who are mean to their dogs. I have nothing against having a working dog, or a dog whose main purpose is to help the blind, or people with some other disability. What these dogs do for people is really wonderful. But too often, they don’t get any love in return. It’s as if these owners think they are a guide dog’s only reason for existing. Like Janet says….put in a corner until they’re needed. The abuse I’ve seen inflicted on guide dogs in public has not been as extreme as what’s often described in stories on ftld. However, I have to wonder what might happen to these precious dogs when owner and dog are out of public view. There needs to be regular periodic oversight by animal welfare agencies to make sure these dogs are not horribly mistreated.
Charlie, I understand where you are coming from on this, but there are so many factors involved in folks having a guide dog. There is a possibility that the guide dog is working with someone who has never ever had a companion animal in their life as a seeing person, and might not exactly know how to treat the dog. They might not be fond of animals, but having this guide dog is their only entrance to the real world outside of their personal abode. If there is any mistreatment of these service dogs, how are we to be aware that maybe that is how their father/grandfather treated their dogs? There are too many unknowns to rush to judgement on people using service dogs.
Yes, I agree that someone should be watching over the service dogs, doing an occasional home check on the dog and the user. They could also institute a plan where the service dog would be taken out (of course with its human counterpart) to play in the park a couple times a week. But we also have to understand that these dogs are doing their jobs. Sometimes, just a pat on the head is all these pups want in return, or a hug. All I know is that without these service dogs being trained to help so many disabled people, disabled in many different ways, these people would be miserable the rest of their lives, not knowing what could have been with the aide of a guide dog.
Sorry I rambled, but I personally know the loyalty and help my labbie boys have given me, and in my heart, I know that all they want to do is please their human counterpart.
What horrible things have YOU seen done to guide dogs in public? You cant say that ALL guide dog users don’t love or treat their dogs well.
Most celebrities are so full of themselves, and I have to applaud Ms. Abdul for her efforts with service dogs. Service dogs for the blind have always held a special place in my heart also. And not to be cocky, but did you ever notice the main breed of dogs used for these services?
I am so happy for Scott, that he will finally have a guide dog to help him through life. The bond he will create with his future guide dog is something no one could ever comprehend unless they have been there.
Again, it is great to see someone with celebrity status doing this not only for Scott, but for all the vets she went to visit. Maybe by her being blindfolded and going thru the training course gave her an insight that most people take for granted. WTG
LOL Susie, of course we saw the breed and know your special fondness for labs
I just love when celebs do something so outstanding, give me great respect for them. Scott looked so happy and pleased too.
D.
Yea, Paula. It is great to see celebs acting like us normal people do. This was a wonderful story. I love, FTLOD!
Thanks Sharon! I thought this was a really nice story to share
D.
Yea Paula! Yes, I did see Scott perform. He was very good and it was difficult (at best) to tell he was blind. Yep Susie…..this is a terrific breed!!! As you and I both know. LOL I hope that there is very little abuse of any kind to these winderfully devoted, well trained canines. I was saddened to hear there was any at all. But, reality is just that….reality. God Bless all the service dogs and Paula as well for her generous contribution in helping others.
As a Guide dog user, I’m Suprised that a dog would be mis treated in any way. I for one love my boy to no end. Yes I correct him when he miss a step or something truly he may need a correction for but I was praise him after a rework he knows that I love him, even if he doesn’t show it alot, I know he would put his life on the line to guard against a unseen car or whatever.