Lexington Woman Raising 15th Puppy For The Blind

LEXINGTON, MA — For the past 20 years, Lexington resident Ruth Ladd has raised over a dozen puppies, prepping them all for their job as guide dogs for the blind. The dogs arrive to Ladd as eager puppies bursting with energy and leave her a year later as obedient dogs ready for official guide dog training.

Ladd laughs when she thinks of all of the people who tell her, "I could never give up a puppy after raising it." For Ladd, getting time with the dogs while they're young and preparing them for their job is the best deal she could think of.

"It's a lot like sending your kid off to college — sure it's sad but you're excited to know what they're going to do," Ladd said.

Puppies come to her home anywhere between eight to 12-weeks-old and leave her once they're about 16 to 18 months old. Ladd and her husband had Golden Retriever pets before and as much as they loved the experience, the end of life and passing of the pets was tough.

As a puppy raiser, Ladd focuses on raising the puppies to be obedient and attentive and how to behave in public. The goal is to have each puppy ready for the intensive guide dog training they receive at Guiding Eyes for the Blind.

Guiding Eyes for the Blind is a New York based nonprofit that pairs visually impaired people with guide dogs and individualized training, at no cost. One guide dog team is valued at approximately $50,000 - $100,000 to breed, raise, train, match, and support over the lifetime of the team's work together.

Since the 1990's Ladd has been raising guide dogs, some of which went on to become studs and broods, the dogs the program uses to breed more guide dogs. She's kept in touch with some of her past pups' owners and even attended a graduation or two.

"It's lots of fun but it's lots of work," Ladd said.

Nutmeg is her newest addition and puppy number 15. At a year old, Ladd knows she's only got about six months left with her but said she's already shown her a few new things.

"She's definitely the highest energy puppy we've had," Ladd laughs, "No two dogs are the same!"

Nutmeg is a huge fan of walks in the woods and running free in Ladd's backyard. Ladd said she's still helping Nutmeg master how to stay calm in the house and settle down but she has confidence in the dog. By June or July, Nutmeg will be evaluated to see if she's ready and the right fit for a career as a guide dog.