The Lee’s Summit Lions Club met at the Perkins Restaurant on Apr. 9, 2019. At that meeting Lion Aaron Troester from the Blue Springs Lions Club presented information on the Leader Dog Program.

Lion Troester was accompanied by “Dobby” a male black Labrador, seven month old puppy who was given to him from the Leader Dog Program to raise and train for 12 to 15 months. If she passes the program preparation she will be sent to Rochester Hill Michigan for further training to become a certified leader dog for the blind or visually impaired.

Only about half of the puppies pass the rigorous training to become certified. Lion Aaron spoke one of puppy, Minerva. He described her “as a lazy dog, a college drop-out and she lives at home with her parents.” Lion Troester volunteered to be responsible for the housing, feeding, training and veterinary services required for the entire period of training.

Lion Aaron is one of many Lions across the country who do this service. If a person is qualified for this service they travel to Rochester Hill Michigan where they are matched with one of the trained dogs.

The cost to train a leader dog is about $26,000. There is no cost to the client for this dog, as donations are paid through the Lions Club Leader Dog Program.

For more information on this program go to www.leadership.org.