Atlantic Shores Seniors to Raise Guide Dog Puppies in Unique Multi-Generational Partnership

"Puppy Love Program" to Pair with Guiding Eyes For The Blind and Young Students

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Oct. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Tiny puppies, young schoolchildren, and seniors with giving hearts are combining in Virginia Beach, Virginia in a unique program bringing them together to impact the lives of visually impaired individuals.

The Atlantic Shores/Guiding Eyes For The Blind "Puppy Love Program" will be one of the first in the nation to link the generations in a partnership that will ultimately provide guide dogs matched to deserving individuals. The program will launch at Atlantic Shores, an energetic 100-acre retirement community in Virginia Beach, Virginia, which will embrace their newest, smallest residents -- two 10-week old black Labrador puppies named Joanie, and Godrick.

This unique program will be a partnership with Guiding Eyes For The Blind (GEB), an internationally accredited, nonprofit guide dog school with a 50-year legacy of providing the blind and visually impaired with superior Guiding Eyes dogs and lifetime support services, for free.

This inspiring organization relies on volunteers for the critical first step of basic obedience training and socialization for their puppies.

Specially selected puppies will be matched with Atlantic Shores resident raisers Linda Palminteri and Jack Stokes who, along with a support team of fellow residents and Atlantic Shores staff, will open their homes and hearts to raise the puppies during a critical time in their lives. The puppies will live with their Atlantic Shores raisers, with GEB volunteers leading training sessions to help the puppies undergo crucial behavioral training. All veterinary care, major supplies, and personal support are provided by Guiding Eyes.

The "Puppy Love Program" will also include partnerships with Ocean Lakes and Corporate Landing elementary schools in Virginia Beach, where special curriculum will help students understand the invaluable service these puppies will eventually provide, and how to properly interact with guide dogs they see in the community. The puppies and their Atlantic Shores resident raisers will make visits to the schools as part of their socialization training. Students will also follow the puppies' progress with student reporter segments and Puppy-Cam shots broadcast on the schools' in-classroom TV feed.

While living at Atlantic Shores, the puppies will become integrated into the dog-friendly senior campus, with the puppies attending such resident activities as Arts & Crafts, and unique events like "Yappy Hours" with special treats for both human and canine residents. The puppies will also brighten spirits at the community's Harbourway assisted living facility, and Seaside skilled nursing center.

After several months of training and love, the puppies will be returned to Guiding Eyes For The Blind for "finishing training," to teach them specific skills that eventually will make them the perfect companion for a deserving individual. The approximate value of each fully trained guide dog is $45,000 - - a cost that is entirely underwritten for each GEB graduate who receives a dog from the program.

"The time and effort that go into raising these special animals not only provide independence for our graduates, but can also be a life-changing experience for the puppy-raisers as well," explains GEB Regional Coordinator Gina Rose.

According to Atlantic Shores Executive Director Eden Jones, "We are thrilled to open our arms and hearts for this program. Our residents are creating ongoing legacies of support to not only the community, but also the world. This program is a perfect opportunity to pull together and impact the lives not only of our residents, but also hundreds more whose worlds will be touched by these puppies."

Elements of the "Puppy Love" Program with Atlantic Shores may be refined by GEB to be used in other communities. According to Gina Rose, "We are excited about the possibility of pairing our puppies with energetic seniors, and also about educating a younger generation about our mission through partnerships with local schools. Our program relies on the generosity of volunteers like the team at Atlantic Shores, who are willing to give of their time, which in today's busy world is sometimes the most precious gift of all."  

The community will come together on Thursday, October 27 at 10:00 am for a special Welcoming Ceremony at Atlantic Shores to introduce everyone to these puppies with a purpose -- including Guiding Eyes graduate Brian McCann, who will give his personal testimony on how receiving his GEB guide dog, Julie, has forever changed his life.

"Puppy Love" fans from around the world can follow the progress of these tiny heroes by logging on towww.atlanticshoresliving.com/puppy_love, where a Dog-Blog and Puppy-Cam (including shots from a dog's eye level of view) will track the puppies' adventures. Fans can also like them on Facebook at:http://tinyurl.com/682m944