Local Businesses Support Leader Dogs for the Blind in July

This future leader dog, Masi, will assist a court officer in Missouri after training. (Photo via Leader Dogs for the Blind Facebook page)

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The nonprofit Leader Dogs for the Blind organization, whose dogs and programs have helped 14,500 people maintain independent mobility over its 76-year history, is partnering throughout the month of July with metro Detroit businesses to raise money for the renovation of the Leader Dog Canine Development Center in Rochester Hills.

During the “Dog Days of Summer” campaign, customers may make a $1, $5 or $20 donation to support improvements at the center,where the charity provides veterinary and other care that prepares dogs for the important work of being a guide dog.

“We are very thankful for the support of our local business community,” Leader Dog president and CEO Sue Daniels said in a statement. “This inaugural season of ‘Dog Days of Summer’ wouldn’t be possible without the 39 businesses that are helping us spread the word about Leader Dog’s mission and supporting those in need of the services we provide.”

The following businesses are participating in Dog Days of Summer:

• 7-Eleven, 2688 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills
• Chadd’s Pizza, 816 N. Main Street, Rochester
• Chomp Deli and Grille, 200 Main Street, Rochester
• Classic Designs Hair Studio, 33257 Mound Road, Sterling Heights
• Downtown Café, 606 Main Street, Rochester
• Eddie Bauer, 388 N. Adams Road, Rochester
• Fourth Street Boutique, 116 E. Fourth Street, Rochester
• Grand Traverse Pie Company, 1446 Maple Road, Troy
• Great Lakes Family Dining, 13830 Lakeside Circle, Sterling Heights
• Great Lakes Family Dining, 36830 Harper Ave., Clinton Township
• Holland’s Flowers & Gifts, 308 Main Street, Rochester
• Inspirations Salon, 10675 Belleville Road, Belleville
• Krazy Greek Restaurant, 111 E. University Drive, Rochester
• Mamma Mia Tuscan Grille, 543 N. Main Street, Rochester
• Mr. B’s, 423 S. Main Street, Rochester
• North Hills Veterinary Hospital, 300 W. Tienken Road, Rochester Hills
• Oakland Animal Hospital, 180 E. Second Street, Rochester
• Oakland Hills Animal Hospital, 121 E. Long Lake Road, Troy
• O’Shea’s, 543 N. Main Street, Rochester
• Paint Creek Tavern, 613 Main Street, Rochester
• Palermo’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, 44938 Ford Road, Canton
• Pawsitive Steps Rehabilitation & Therapy for Pets, 1894 Star Batt Drive, Rochester Hills
• Pet Supplies Plus, 1170 Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills
• Pet Supplies Plus, 29402 Woodward Ave., Royal Oak
• Premier Pet Supply, 31215 Southfield Road, Beverly Hills
• Ram’s Horn, 7020 N. Wayne Road, Westland
• Rojo Mexican Bistro, 401 N. Main Street, Rochester
• Sellers Subaru, 23651 Hall Road, Macomb
• Sole Sisters, 329 Main Street, Rochester
• The Cupcake Station, 205 Main Street, Rochester
• The Funky Frog, 433 Main Street, Rochester
• The Urban Dog, 1432 N. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills
• Wanderlust Boutique, 404 Main Street, Rochester
• Wendy’s, 1344 Walton Blvd., Rochester Hills
• Wendy’s, 3140 Rochester Road, Rochester Hills
• Wendy’s, 40950 Ryan Road, Sterling Heights
• Wendy’s, 6001 Metro Parkway, Sterling Heights
• Wendy’s, 3995 Rochester Road, Troy
• Westland Lock & Key, 35665 Ford Road, Westland

“Dog Days of Summer is a great way for businesses to promote their commitment to the local community and Leader Dogs for the Blind,” said Dani Landolt, director of corporate relations of Leader Dog. “We look forward to continuing Dog Days of Summer for many years to come.”

The Leader Dog Canine Development Center will offer a larger veterinary clinic, indoor/outdoor enrichment areas, larger suites for the dogs to bunk in and many other benefits to ensure the dogs are stress-free, stimulated, comfortable and ready to learn their life-changing work.

Leader Dogs for the Blind traces its beginnings to April 1939, when it operated as the Lions Leader Dog Foundation. A year later, the foundation leased a small farm in Rochester Hills to house the staff and train dogs. Training cost a client/dog team $600 at the time, and the first class graduated in 1939.

The Lions reference was dropped in 1940 because it had never been sanctioned by the Lions Club’s international governing body, but individual clubs continue to support the organization.

The training services have been provided free of charge since the 1950s.The organization also provides classes for orientation and mobility, pedestrian GPS and a summer camp for teens.

For more information on Leader Dogs for the Blind, call (888) 777-5332 or visit www.leaderdog.org.