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Leader Dogs for the Blind empowers people who are blind or visually impaired with the tools for safe and independent daily travel. Our goal is to educate, advocate, and share real life experiences of those with blindness. Come learn, laugh, and grow with us.
Taking The Lead Podcast_100726_Ella and Anna Corby
leslie: [00:00:00] Welcome to the Taking the Lead podcast, where we empower people to be unstoppable. I'm Leslie Hoskins with my co-hosts, Alyssa Otis and Timothy Cunio. How we doing today?
Alyssa: Doing good.
leslie: Yeah? Yeah. Timothy, how you doing?
Timothy: It's a wet, dreary day in Georgia, so...
leslie: Okay. Well, sounds like fall to me.
Alyssa: I was gonna say, better rain than snow.
leslie: Yeah.
Alyssa: So I will take it.
leslie: Well, I thought it might be kind of fun today to do a random question of the day. Have you guys been seeing this? It's been on social media. Yes. Our Canines Development Center team members have, like, a random question of the day or, like, kind of voting on different things. It's been really fun and interactive.
Alyssa: Absolutely. Like, uh, for an Oreo, do you eat it whole or do you split it? Yeah. Yeah. No, you find out a lot, a lot about people.
leslie: I think it'd be interesting. So I came across one that I thought I'd love to know your thoughts, uh, Alyssa and Timothy, but the question is, what is your most productive hour of the day?
Good enough
Timothy: For me it's getting up and making coffee.
leslie: Nothing exists before that. Timothy's
Alyssa: [00:01:00] like, "That's it? After that it's just downhill after that. That's, that's my production for the day."
Timothy: Yeah. While, while the coffee's being made, I take Glacier out and do her stuff and feed her, and then when the coffee's done, then I proceed with my day- See?
and plan what's going on for the day.
leslie: That makes sense.
Alyssa: I was gonna say, that is productive. I wish my ... Now my answer's gonna sound silly, but just any time I'm alone. No. At, uh, at the end of the night when my son is asleep and I can pack stuff together for the next day, get my work stuff set out, and really reset from what I'm sure was chaos of the day, I feel productive.
Sometimes I fold laundry, sometimes I-
leslie: Eh ...
Alyssa: don't.
leslie: You know. Yeah. I would say similar, uh, in personal life that like- Yeah ... 8:00 to 9:00 PM when kids are down or s- getting to the downtime, uh, of prepping for the next day- Yeah ... making sure everything's ready. During the day, I would say either, yeah, that coffee, after I get my coffee, or like the 10:00 AM hour.
I don't know why. Yeah. I love to schedule a meeting at 10:00 AM. It's just like I've, I've gotten- I agree ... you [00:02:00] know, my ducks in a row for the morning, caught up on a few things, and like ready to start.
Alyssa: Yeah. No, I would agree. Anything after 2:00 is, is a little less product- Yeah. Well, my director's on this, on this podcast, so I'm always productive.
Okay. Um, but no. After- I'm gonna start
leslie: scheduling all our touch bases at 2 o'clock.
Alyssa: But, but I can see how earlier in the day people would be a little bit more-
leslie: Yeah ...
Alyssa: productive.
leslie: Well, by 2 o'clock you're planning for the next day.
Alyssa: Mm-hmm.
Timothy: You're not as rushed at 2 o'clock. I mean, you are more rushed at 2 o'clock than you are at 9:00.
Alyssa: Correct.
leslie: Yeah.
Timothy: So- That's- ... you've got little time to do stuff.
leslie: Yeah. That
Alyssa: is a really good point, and we always say there are not enough hours in the day, and there just ... Uh, as I am getting ... I say I'm getting older, but I am getting older. As I'm getting older, I do realize I, there needs to be like 32 hours in the day.
Yeah,
leslie: just a couple more would be
Alyssa: helpful. Just, just a few more because, I mean, Leslie and I are always sitting here talking about how, you know, our volunteers do so much, and how they have so much, no more time than we do in the day, but somehow- They
leslie: do ...
Alyssa: they fi-
leslie: I'm not convinced they don't.
Alyssa: Leslie's convinced all of our volunteers- Mm-hmm
are actually [00:03:00] organizing how the clock runs.
leslie: Yes.
Alyssa: Um, but somehow- ... our, our volunteers Do just find the time, and it makes me feel like I should be doing more when we get to talk to such incredible people. And lucky for us, today we are joined by two of those incredible people. So today we're gonna be joined by two special guests who've been involved with Leader Dogs for the Blind for the past five years puppy raising.
leslie: Yes. Here with us today is Ella Corby and her mom, Anna. Ella is a 10th grade student who has spent the last five years dedicating her time to helping animals. She's currently raising her fourth puppy for Leader Dog and loves combining her passion for service and youth leadership through 4-H. Every year, Ella shows her Leader Dog puppies, along with her career change Leader Dog, at the Oakland County Fair.
She also actively volunteers at the Detroit Zoo and spend times, spends time helping out at the Humane Society of Huron Valley. Looking ahead, Ella plans to study animal science and genetics with plans to become a veterinarian. Her mom, Anna, [00:04:00] is a proud member of the Leader Dogs for the Blind community, a lifelong dog lover, and says she's grateful for how friendly, supportive, and encouraging the Leader Dog community has been, especially in embracing Ella and helping her grow.
Timothy: Ella and Anna, welcome to the podcast. Ella, what made you come to Leader Dog five years ago, decide to raise a puppy?
Ella: Thank you so much for having us. We're really excited to talk to you guys. We definitely made a decision to come to Leader Dog is back in 2020, we had, like, lost our, um, pet dog, and it, like, hit our family really hard, and I wanted a puppy.
And, like, we knew we were a two-dog family, so being down to one dog, like, felt wrong. Um, so my family, like, my, my parents really, like, I'm really great for it, grateful for it, but they, like, took my opinion. They're like, "All right," like, "let's get you a puppy. Let's ... I want you to have that experience." So we knew of Leader Dogs.
We would, like, drive down, like, Rochester to visit family. So, like, we always knew of-
Alyssa: Mm ...
Ella: knew of it. But, like, it just seemed like, we saw a flyer for it. It seemed like a perfect oc- opportunity. Like, I could have a puppy, but we're not, like, [00:05:00] committing to the whole, like, lifelong cycle of a dog.
Alyssa: That's huge.
And, and kudos to your parents for allowing that. Mm-hmm. I will say that when I was younger, um, I kept saying I wanted to raise. Now, I don't know if I was as responsible as you seem. Um, but Anna, what was that kind of like for you? That's also a big commitment for you, having somebody in your home, raising a puppy that you know you're gonna have to help with.
Anna: Absolutely. But I have loved puppies or dogs my entire life, so I think that she comes by her love for animals naturally. Mm-hmm. Um, the whole family are, um, just animal lovers and puppies in general, so, um, I think it was a, a good opportunity really for the kids to experience. My husband and I both, um, had puppies growing up.
Mm. Um, and we know we loved that experience, and we wanted her to have the same. Um, but weren't sure that we could really commit to losing a pet, because that's, that's really hard. So this seemed like a great way to say g- goodbye, um, to a dog, but in a positive way, where they're going on to do something greater, rather than a loss of them.
leslie: Absolutely. And then you were hooked. Yeah. So you started with one. Uh, tell us about the first time raising, [00:06:00] though. Like, what are some of the biggest things that you learned that made you come back again?
Ella: Um, it was definitely very overwhelming.
leslie: Sure, yeah. At
Ella: the first part. Like, Leader Dog, they give you, like, a whole, like, manual, and it, like, that was helpful, but it is still, like, a lot of, like, just to learn, like, everything that you need to know.
And our first dog was definitely very energetic. And she was a crazy one, but I feel like that was almost good for me. Yes. Like, I was a kid. I had energy. Like, I was able to match it and give her exactly, like, what she needed. It came, like, at the perfect time, when I was, like, needing, like, a little bit of confidence.
Like, I was able to, like, like, learn through, like, my dogs. And like, obviously, like, when you're out in public with a puppy with, like, a vest on, people are gonna come up to you, and they're gonna be like, "Oh," like, "cute dog." Like, "What is it doing in a store?" Like, and I was able to, like, gr- have confidence. It, like, taught me to, like, talk to people, like adults, and, like- About Leader Dog and, like, what we do.
Alyssa: It's crazy, 'cause I'm sitting here and I'm counting backwards on my fingers, 'cause if you're in 10th grade now. This should be simple math. I shouldn't need my fingers. But [00:07:00] here we are. Um, and I'm counting backwards, and I go, "So that would have put you in, like, end of elementary school-ish, beginning of middle school when you really started."
I mean, also pandemic time is a whole separate issue. But that's, that's young. That's a huge responsibility. So the fact that you were able to realize that you were doing this to give this to somebody else, to hopefully help somebody, is inc- And then you did it four more times already. I mean, that's incredible.
Timothy: So Ella, d- is it easier now raising the puppy than it was that first one?
Ella: Um, definitely, yeah. Like, I feel like with every dog, they have their own, like, set of, like, challenges that you have to, like, overcome. But, like, through each puppy, like, I learn, like, more and more, and I get more confident. So, like, I know how to handle, like, every situation a little bit better now.
Alyssa: Which makes sense. They say that people that raise... This is not a plug for people to raise 100 puppies, however. Um, we are always looking for those puppy raisers. And truly, the more that you do it, and, and Ella would agree, I'm sure, is the more comfortable you get. You're seeing, you know, your dog's behavior doing something, [00:08:00] and you say, "Oh, I've already dealt with that with my dog two dogs ago, so I know how to handle that."
Um, not that Leader Dog wouldn't always be there to assist, but yeah, the more you raise, I think the better you get, which is incredible.
leslie: What has this been like when, right, you've had friends over, and, like, that added responsibility that you do have? 'Cause we talk about it on the client side of clients, you know, can't get a dog until they're at least 16 because it's taking care of another living, breathing thing.
Mm-hmm. And you have to be really responsible. And of course, in your setting, you had your family, uh, to really support you along the way in this. But how has that been navigating, you know, friendships and outings with your friends with a dog?
Ella: Um, it definitely can be a lot sometimes. And, like, I always get the question, like, "Oh, do you take your puppy to school with me?"
Um- I was
leslie: just gonna ask.
Ella: Yeah. I don't. It's, like, a lot with school, and I, like, need to focus while I'm at school.
Alyssa: Absolutely.
Ella: But, like, as soon as I get... Like, I have, I run cross-country and track, so I always have, like, meets and stuff after. So, like, I'll bring her to those, obviously not while I'm racing my mile halter.
Alyssa: Yeah,
Ella: sure. But, um, like, she'll come to all these, and she'll get experience. Like, there's [00:09:00] kids running around. So, like, or if I hang out with my friends, I'm like, "All right, like, let's go out. Let's get, like, a drink." And, like, I'll take her with me. So, like, whatever I'm doing, she can come with me, which I'm super lucky 'cause, like, with the vest, like, she can come anywhere, and she's getting all these different experiences, so.
Alyssa: She's probably like the little celebrity of your friend group or- Yeah. ... whatever dog you have at the time, I should say.
Ella: Yeah.
leslie: Anna, how has that been for you watching the growth and development of Ella? You know, and that's, I appreciate that she talked about being in public and having to have these conversations with strangers who are coming up.
What has this been like watching and observing and being a part of it?
Anna: It's really special to see how much she's grown and really seeing that she has a, she has a skill for this. Like, she is a natural with animals. And it's funny, when we had our first dog, like Ella said, she was very energetic. And so we'd go to a weekly puppy class that, uh, Leader Dog puts on, so we have great puppy counselors.
Um, and I would handle the dog at first. Ella was nine. She was in fourth grade. Wow. When I started.
Alyssa: That is wild. I'm already thinking fifth grade at least. That's crazy.
Anna: So she would come along. Every week we'd go together to class, but I was the one handling the dog, and [00:10:00] our energetic dog was showing her true self, and, and it was great.
She was total lab, like, loved people, loved, was so excitable. Um, and then there was one day Ella said, you know, "I wanna handle her in class." And I said, "Okay, you know, you go and handle her in class." And Ella goes in and is working with the dog, and our puppy counselor, June, stopped and she said, "You know, that dog is better with your daughter."
And I was like- Oh, June. I know. And from then on, Ella has handled our dogs in class- ... 'cause they do so much better with her. So she truly has a skill, and it's really fun to watch, um, her quiet confidence, and it just goes right down the leash, and the, the dogs really respond to her.
Alyssa: And that's so true. We always tell people, "Your energy goes down that leash."
The dog'll tell, you know, their client through the harness what to do, but your stuff is going down that leash. So it's great that you know that. And I have a question. So you said that you do a lot of 4H. Before I get into that, 'cause I know I have a lot of questions about it, can you tell everybody kind of what 4-H is?
Ella: Yeah. So 4-H is, like, this huge organization, like, around the country. It's basically for, like, develop- like, it's [00:11:00] just, like, youth development, and they, like, try to empower youth through, like, so many different activities. So, like, I personally, like, have... I'm in the dog side of it. Um, so they'll put on, like, different things, and I work with my dogs.
Or, like, I know someone was saying earlier, like, horses- Yeah ... like, you'll farm animals. Or, like, if you don't have animals, like, there's photography. You could d- submit different, like, like, writings. So it's basically just, like, an organization that, like, helps, like, youth empowerment, basically.
Alyssa: I love that.
That was a few things I didn't know. Yeah. 'Cause I do know quite a bit about 4-H. We have a lot of people that are involved in 4-H here at Leader Dog, which, of course, it seems very fitting. But I didn't know they even did non-animal things.
Timothy: So Ella, you've done four dogs. So what is that like when it's time for you to turn that dog in knowing that's gonna be the last time you might see that puppy?
How do you process that?
Ella: I'm not gonna lie. It's really hard, and I, like, cry every time. But there's just something, like, so rewarding knowing that like, yes, they've made a huge impact in my life, but they're gonna make an even bigger l- impact on somebody who, like, actually needs them. And I [00:12:00] think when we were dropping off our last dog, um, we were, like, taking photos with, with her, like, outside the building, and a client actually walked out and, like, stopped and was talking to us.
Like, "Oh," like, "thank you so much for raising these dogs." Like, "My dog's already gonna make such a big impact in my life." And it was, like, a full circle moment. Like, hey, this is really what we're doing this for. Like, these dogs have such a big purpose in life. So that helped a lot.
Alyssa: I love that. Have any of your dogs graduated?
And that's okay if the answer is no. This is not a judgment question.
Ella: It is no. Um- Okay ... our first dog was career changed. She was crazy. Um- Yeah. ... she came back home to us. We love her a lot. All
Alyssa: right, great.
Ella: Our second one, she, um, medically career changed. Mm. She had cataracts, so not our fault.
Alyssa: Not ideal. Um- None of it is your fault.
None of it is. Yeah. It's not your fault at all. As a GDMI, I'll tell you it is not your fault.
Ella: And then our third dog's actually a mom in the program. So- So she
Alyssa: was successful. Yes,
Ella: yes.
Alyssa: So yes. Yes. Not with a client- That is success ... but we would consider that successful here. Yes. Because, A, it means we wanted her genetics enough to spread them out amongst everybody, and she must be quite a good dog for us to want to do [00:13:00] that.
So that's great. And then hopefully you've got one with you here today while recording. Yes. Tell me a little about that- We do ... gal.
Ella: So she turns, um, a year old- Oh, wow ... so tomorrow. Oh,
Alyssa: happy birthday.
Ella: Oh, happy birthday. Yeah. So we're hoping. Fingers crossed for her. She's a- Yeah ... good one.
leslie: Oh, I love that. What advice would you give somebody?
So we hear a lot of time from families, like, "I couldn't. My, my kids are too young. They're involved in so many things." Ana, I have to ask you. What advice would you give to somebody who's maybe thinking about it, but like, "Oh my gosh, that feels too much"?
Anna: Try it. I mean, try something new, and that's, like, kind of the advice with Ella.
Like, she'll try anything. She gets involved in everything. And you try something. It might seem overwhelming. It might seem like a lot, but it has led us to so many things. Like, really, her confidence, her ability to work with dogs. That's how we found 4H. Like, when we got our first dog back- Oh, interesting
the career changed one. She came back. We adopted her. She's now Ella's agility dog. Um- Oh, I love that ... and so some of her energy's been put to good use now. Yeah, that sounds like a great dog for agility. Um, but that's how Ella got into doing dog training, um, with 4H, is like because we [00:14:00] had a career change leader dog that she could work with.
Um, and then from there, she's just grown opportunities. Like, a lot of... Like you said, a lot of the people, like our puppy, um, counselors, they had a 4H background. And so they've given Ella opportunities and telling her, you know, what she can do. And, um, it's just grown to so much, and we've met so many wonderful people.
I can't even mention how good the group of people, the volunteers are that surround the community. Um, and so we have relationships for lifelong friends, um, through it. So there, there's just been so much gained. Like, take a leap. Try it.
Alyssa: No, and, and you're so right with the community. Leslie and I talk about it all the time, but you guys just saying June was your puppy counselor.
I'm like, "Oh, I know June." Yeah. "I actually saw her last week. She was in a meeting I was in." You know, so it is. It's, yes, we say, oh, we have so many volunteers doing so many different roles, but we know everybody because it is such an important community. But so, and we're happy to, of course, have you guys as part of that.
But we know now, too, Ella, like, obviously you are on multiple dogs. I hope you're not gonna stop. Um, you do 4H. You do school. You run. Again, we're getting back to the hours in [00:15:00] the day, is how do you, how do you balance all of that? Like, I know you said that you leave your dog at home for school, but, but that's a lot to balance.
How many calendars do you have, for crying out loud?
Ella: I feel like I don't have enough. It's a lot. Definitely in the summer, um, I'm able to do a lot more with them. Sure. And that's when I try to, like, compete with them, um, and do ... So they're getting a good amount in the summer. But after school, like, obviously I have practice, and then I try to come home, um, and get homework done, and I'll, like, take them for a walk and do, like, a little mini training session.
And then hopefully in the weekend I have, like, a free day where I can, like, take her places, more places, so.
Timothy: So if you're going to college, do you think you're gonna take a dog with you?
Alyssa: Good question.
Ella: Yeah. So, um, I have interest in going to MSU, and I know they have a Leader Dog club there. Yes. So I'm planning on continuing to be, um, with Leader Dog and raising throughout my college experience.
leslie: I think there's comfort in that, too, right? Yeah. Like, the idea of having a dog with you on campus and, and partnering in [00:16:00] that whole experience. I think that's really cool, and it's already a built-in community. Like, we keep talking about- I was just gonna say ... community is so important. I went to MSU for a couple years.
That's a very big campus, and it can feel very isolating and lonely. So to already kind of have this group of individuals and have a common connection, I think that's absolutely wonderful. Now I have to ask you, Anna. So if Ella's going off to campus- I mean- ... you know, and this is still a few years away.
Let's not jump the gun here. Um, but will you then raise at home, you think?
Anna: That would be interesting if we both had a puppy at the same time- ... 'cause we've always done it co. So I haven't really thought too much about whether we would both have one at the same time. Um, but for sure we love it. There's no way that we're not involved.
So even if I'm not currently raising, I will be puppy sitting. I will be- Okay ... you know, helping in any way. There's lots of ways that you contribute to the community. So even if we're not raising, there's other ways.
leslie: I think that's such a good point. We, I mean, we do. We talk about this community so much in every aspect of volunteers, team members, uh, clients, everybody who's involved, donors, too.
Uh, but there are other ways. [00:17:00] So once you're kind of in this puppy raising village, community, whatever you wanna call it, there are so other, so many other ways. People do go on vacations where it's not appropriate to take their dog, or health things, or whatever. To, so to be that resource- Yeah ... for me, like, I think about that if I were a puppy raiser.
To know that this person gets it, right? You already have that built-in understanding. I feel safe leaving my puppy with you. I know they're in good hands. So that's really fantastic to think about. Uh, but you know, two, two could be fun.
Alyssa: Two could be. We could do the same litter. We could do- Oh, my goodness
we could do a variety of things.
leslie: Think of the studies we could do. Like,
Alyssa: get my- I have nature versus nurture. Yeah. Look at that.
Anna: I have to get my husband involved. Yeah. I gotta get, I gotta get his buy-in. He
Alyssa: would 100... He would then be your co-raiser. Yeah. That's
Anna: what I think that Ella- That's when he says, like, "Elle and I have no limit as how many dogs we bring into the house."
So he's, he's our rational level. He's like, "The city has a limit, and I have a limit."
leslie: The city and you. Are there other siblings? Do you have other siblings?
Ella: Uh, yeah, I have a younger brother. Okay. He, um, likes playing with them at home. So he's not more the training, but, like, he likes to, like, [00:18:00] run them and, like, get their energy out.
Yeah. Oh, that's,
Alyssa: that's
Ella: a great
Alyssa: person
Ella: to
Alyssa: have. Yeah. Yeah. Anytime someone's like, "I wanna go on a run. Can I borrow your dog?" I go, which obviously, you know, Leader Dog's a different story with runs, but yes, take my dog. Burn out some of that energy.
Timothy: And I can, uh, probably say that, that you're very proud of your daughter, somebody who's started off four years ago, five years ago, decided to do something like this and think out of the box.
You know, kids that age may not think about doing this to help others. But how proud are you of your daughter, what she's done?
Anna: Absolutely so very proud. I mean, she gives me a million reasons a day to be proud of her. Um, but really her working with dogs. I told you, I think she has a, she really has a special skill.
She, um, she competed, she competes at the 4H county fairs, but she went to the state, um, dog show for the first time. Oh, wow. And she took our, our Leader Dog puppy at the time, um, our second puppy, and she was competing in obedience, and she did really well. She finished her competition, and the judge pulled her aside, and she's like, "Yes, you did really well.
Everything performed really well." But she's like, "What I wanna stop and tell you is how well you connected with your dog. Like, I [00:19:00] can see how your relationship, you guys have a very great connection." And she's like, "The way you interact with your dog," um, she's like, "is really, really impressive." So Ella won her age group and her division, but then she was also reserve champion of, like, the whole show for obedience because she really recognized Ella's connection with the dog.
And like, you know, I'm shining proud. Like, she really, she really truly is talented and has a love for it, and, um, it, it, it's great. It's great to watch her. I'm so thankful.
Alyssa: And you should be shining and proud and happy, even if it maybe embarrasses your daughter. It's okay. I, I get that, too.
leslie: You've got me
Alyssa: emotional.
Oh, Leslie's
leslie: over here crying a little
Alyssa: bit. I think, well, right, like- Two moms on the podcast here. I know. Three moms now.
leslie: Well, you always think about, like, your, you hope your kids find their passions, right? And, like, you hope they are good also at their passion. That's convenient when that happens. Yeah. So to think about that and watching your daughter be so successful at such a young age.
Um, I do wanna just throw out there, have you considered a guide dog mobility instructor? I was just gonna say. I know you got veterinary. I know you want
Alyssa: veterinary.
leslie: Uh, but maybe a guide dog mobility instructor. Something to think [00:20:00] about.
Ella: Yeah, I think it'd be cool, but I don't know. I don't know yet.
Alyssa: You've
Ella: got plenty of time.
And you don't have
Alyssa: to. Yes, please don't decide now. But what I assume it's your love of animals and, and obviously studying, you know, you wanna study your animal sciences and stuff. I assume that's really your passion for veterinary stuff is- Yeah. Yeah. Well, then yeah, you definitely could be a GDMI 'cause you can have passion for the dogs, for helping individuals, for doing some training.
So
leslie: again. It sounds like you already have an in.
Alyssa: You have an in. Yeah. Here, I'll give you my business card.
leslie: Yeah. Is there anything else that you wanna share w- that this experience has brought into your life? I know you've talked about the community and family, and honestly, just responsibility and a lot of life skills that have come with this.
But is there anything else that, you know, that comes to mind if you're encouraging somebody else to get involved?
Ella: Um, really, like, just yeah, follow your heart. Follow your passion. There is an organization, and there is something out there for everybody. So, like, whether it's Leader Dog or, like, something else, like, research, find it.
And, like, once you're in one thing, you [00:21:00] make connections. You meet a community, and, like, they'll guide you to, like, other things, other organizations. So really just, like, try it. Get involved. Follow your heart, and, like, it'll lead to, like, a lot more than what you think it will
Alyssa: Wise beyond her years. Over here, Leslie's kvelling over here.
Oh, my goodness. Made for these
Ella: conversations.
leslie: Uh, that's fantastic. I- You just are so mature. Um, and-
Alyssa: And I say we see that. I truly think we see that a lot with people who are raising. We've interviewed a few people on the podcast, and I also know some puppy raisers, of course. But I find that people that are high school, college, are wise beyond their years, responsible be- beyond their years, and also just understand what's for the better of the world.
Yes, I
leslie: love
Alyssa: that. And I think that that is something that we try and do here, and it clearly shows because it's passing on to puppy raisers, who's passing that out to their community, who's really just making one warm, big, warm hug.
leslie: Yeah, and you're really understanding the, the ultimate priority, right- Yeah
of the clients, and, like, how all of [00:22:00] these efforts may seem small on your end, or may seem really big, but they're for somebody who's gonna benefit, and their life is gonna be changed, and hopefully they're gonna live independently. And I think that's so amazing that we're able to make that connection. Of course, people come here for the dogs, right?
Yeah. We talk about this all the time. People come for the dogs. Puppies, are you kidding me? Heck, yes. Mm-hmm. But they stay for the people. And I'm so h- happy that you had that opportunity to talk to a client- Mm-hmm ... and hear firsthand from somebody who benefits from this work that you guys put in. I mean, there's no better way to say thank you for what you guys have done.
Raised four puppies already, that's incredible, and I hope you continue to do so. But please know thank you from the bottom of our hearts- Mm-hmm ... our clients' hearts, and every other team member here. What you do is so important, and we're so appreciative for it. And, uh, the more we can get that out, and we just are so thankful for you guys coming on and sharing your personal story.
I think, like we talked about, so many families and people just always say, "I absolutely... I just couldn't return the dog," right? "I can't [00:23:00] imagine," and/or, "I'm just too busy." And you guys have both said multiple things to kind of come back on that, right? Uh, and share the ultimate reason for it. So thank you.
Yeah.
Alyssa: It is hard work, but you guys are, are doing it, and doing a great job at it. So I want to thank both of you guys for coming here, talking about your work puppy raising. And of course, if anybody listening is interested in learning more how to become a puppy raiser or a volunteer, you can always go to our website, leaderdog.org, and click on the volunteer tab.
So I wanna thank everybody for joining us today on the Taking the Lead podcast. I'm Alyssa Otis with host Timothy Cugno and Leslie Hoskins. We hope you enjoyed learning about Ella and the amazing work she does raising puppies to support the Leader Dog mission. Please join us next time as we continue to dive into the world of blindness.
leslie: And if you'd like to learn more about applying to Leader Dog, you can head to leaderdog.org or call us at 888-777-5332. Don't forget, you can reach us at takingthelead@leaderdog.org with any [00:24:00] questions or ideas, or if you wanna share your most productive hour of the day, we'd love to hear it. And of course, if you liked today's podcast, make sure to hit subscribe and check us out wherever podcasts stream.