Honoring a Retired Guide Dog One Step at a Time
This year on Saturday April 11th, furry friends will be part of the fun at the Steps for SOS 5k! Participants are invited to walk alongside their beloved dogs in support of our mission. Those who raise a minimum of $100 in honor of their canine companion will be recognized in a special way by joining us on stage for a group photo and receive an award celebrating the dogs who help champion our mission.
Here is a heartwarming story about Rachel and her retired seeing eye dog “Visor”, who will be participating in the event and is affectionately referred to as “my special boy and my heart.”
RACHEL’S STORY
Visor is my Seeing Eye dog all the way from Morristown, New Jersey. I nicknamed him my “SuperVisor”. I first got him in March 2017, and he literally worked nine full years with me, as I retired him earlier this month due to some trouble with his legs.
Visor changed my world, as he opened up such a new wave of independence after my vision loss later in life. Before him, I only navigated with a white cane.
Visor is such a love, and has helped me through my darkest times, literally and figuratively. He loves to play as much as he works and has buckets of dog toys. Although he was trained to guide me, he instinctively sensed my emotions and even alerted me as a means of protection.
I have done 5Ks in the past, but this is my first SOS 5K run. I came to know it years ago when a friend worked there for a period of time. I have donated to the organization, as I completely support its mission.
I wanted to honor my dog in some way for all he has done for me over the past 9 years of service. I decided to dedicate a 5K run in his honor and started esearching upcoming races. When I stumbled on the SOS 5K, it was perfect! It tied two things together that I celebrate and support, my dog and SOS!
I have been training for several weeks now, so that I might demonstrate a small portion of the immense gratitude I hold for this outstanding canine. He is my angel. I will be running for him and the light he has brought to my life, and in hope that more light will be brought to SOS in providing bright futures to these special children.
If you would like to have your fur baby featured and recognized at the upcoming Steps for SOS 5K on Saturday April 11th at Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek, please email Rosanna at rmaya@sosflorida.com.
