Fall 2001

Pooches Pitch In at the Lighthouse for the Blind

Dan Staub, Machinist, Boeing Department, and his guide dog Kegan, head home for the day

"Dogs and machine shops just don't mix," confides Clem Provatakis, Lighthouse Facilities Manager. "High-pitched noises and the possibility of flying chips make our production areas a bad place for guide dogs to be during work hours."

In 1988, the Lighthouse built a cinder-block kennel that can house up to 25 dogs while their owners are working. "We had some trouble getting the permit to build it at first," Clem recalls. "We called it a dog kennel, and you aren't allowed to have dog kennels within city limits. We had to change the name to something like a daycare facility for dogs, and show that the dogs were not spending the night." The guide dog shelter uses exhaust fans and louvered windows for good air circulation in the summer. Radiant heat from the ceiling keeps dogs warm in winter. Dan Staub, machinist, Boeing Department, appreciates the comfort the kennel provides his dog, Kegan. "My guide dog helps me travel independently to and from work, and all sorts of other places. I really like the ability to 'free-think' when I'm out, instead of concentrating so hard while traveling with a white cane," says Dan.

David Miller, Lighthouse Orientation and Mobility Specialist adds that, "One of the most interesting developments in this area has been the increased use of guide dogs by Deaf-Blind people. Just in the past six or seven years, a number of Deaf-Blind people in our community have started using guide dogs. The unique element is that these dogs are trained to respond to visual signals and sign language, rather than to audio or voice commands."

Miller facilitates a Deaf-Blind guide dog users group that meets quarterly. "The group includes Lighthouse employees and others from the community. Costs of sign language interpreters needed to conduct the meetings are covered through a federal appropriation we received a few years ago," Miller says. "I expect guide dog use by Deaf-Blind people to increase as more guide dog schools gain expertise in teaching techniques that don't include voice commands."

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