Lansdale Boy Gets New Best Friend in Time for Holidays

By Jason Koestenblatt (Patch Staff)

Thanks one New Jersey organization, a Lansdale boy had a major wish granted recently by receiving a new best friend.

Zachary Steinbeiser, 8, asked the Make-A-Wish Foundation for a dog to be his best friend. The foundation, which grants the requests and wishes of children with life-threatening conditions, teamed up with The Seeing Eye of Morristown, N.J. to deliver a great holiday season to the Steinbeiser family.

Zach and his parents traveled to The Seeing Eye campus in Morristown recently to meet Whitley, a 2-year-old female, yellow Labrador retriever and golden retriever cross.

“We’re pleased to be able to match the Steinbeiser family with a bright-eyed, furry new addition to their home,” said Seeing Eye Director of Canine Development Peggy Gibbon in a statement. “Whitley is an exceptionally sweet and loving dog who will give Zachary many years of friendship and devotion.”

Make-A-Wish, based in Phoenix, Arizona, has granted more than 254,000 wishes since it began in 1980.

Pictured: Zach Steinbeiser, far right, with his parents and new best friend Whitley. Photo Courtesy The Seeing Eye.

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