Taking the Lead

In this episode we talk with Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist Kristy Plesscher on our Unmet Needs survey. If you'd like more information about the survey email takingthelead@leaderdog.org. 

On this episode we had the incredible opportunity to speak with Eric Bridges, President and CEO of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). With over two decades of experience championing causes that impact people who are blind or have low vision, Eric provided us with fascinating insights into the groundbreaking work being done at AFB.

On this episode we talk with longtime volunteer Mike Toger about why he got involved with Leader Dog and continues to volunteer. 

On this episode we talk with Jeannine Penzone, a mother of two of our Leader Dogs for the Blind clients. She joins us again to share her experience interning at Leader Dogs for the Blind with our Certified Orientation and Mobility team.

On this episode we talked with client Karen Leonetti. She opened up about an obstacle she faced and how she overcame it. Karen shared some great advice for anyone adapting to vision loss.

This episode features Melissa Weisse, the new President and CEO of Leader Dogs for the Blind! Melissa shares her inspirational vision for leading the organization into the future and discusses her goals for this pivotal role. 

On this episode we talk with Sue Daniels about her tenure as President and CEO of Leader Dogs for the Blind. 

This week we learned more about one of the new volunteer puppy raising options called co-raising. The podcast features two Leader Dog team members who have experience co-raising several puppies together. They discussed what co-raising involves and shared why they continue to enjoy volunteering as puppy raisers under this model.

On this episode we talk with Raul Gallegos the president of the the National Association of Guide Dog Users about what the association does for guide dog users. 

We talk with Leader Dog Client Elizabeth Fryseth who has worked with first responders to teach them about how to best respond to incidences involving people who are blind and visually impaired and have guide dogs.

On this episode we talk with client Dr. Jesse Bolinger who shares with us his journey with blindness and advances in accessible technology.

On this episode we talk with Linda Hawkins, wife of Leader Dog client Jeff Hawkins, about her perspective on her husband's vision loss journey and the impact it's had on her life. 

On this episode with talk with Leader Dog client Jeff Hawkins about his journey with vision loss and representing Leader Dog as a keynote speaker.

On this episode we talk with Sharon the manager of residential and food services at Leader Dogs for the Blind about what clients can expect when they come to stay on the Leader Dog campus. 

On this episode we talk with Leader Dog Client Maria Kristic on issues people who have guide dogs are seeing with ride shares and accessibility. 

On this episode we talk with Ophthalmologist Dr. Matt Trese about what happens when someone is diagnosed legally blind. He also shares technology advances in the blindness and low vision field. 

Welcome back to season 5! On our first episode we talk with Leader Dog client Justin Sutton. Justin shares how his journey to becoming a para-cyclist with his Leader Dog by his side. 

We are taking you back to some of our favorite episodes before season 5 airs. On this episode we talk with client Leatrice Fullerton who is an advocate in the blindness and disability community. She shares her experience with Leader Dog but also being in advocacy and her work with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion within many organizations and communities.