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As a pet-friendly store, it’s not uncommon to see tails wagging up and down the aisles of Lowe’s as shoppers bring their furry family members in to run errands. One by one, German Shepard and Labrador puppies walk through the doors at the Butler, NJ Lowe’s on a weekday evening. Each dog wearing a vest or bandana that reads “The Seeing Eye.” The four-legged friends aren’t here to accompany their companions on a shopping trip; they’re here to train.
“What they’re doing is they’re trying to get the dogs acclimated to high foot traffic, people traffic, a lot of different noises and be able to function in that environment,” said Tom Poltorak, Lowe’s Store Manager.
When Tom got the call that a group wanted to bring dogs into his store to train them as Seeing Eye Dogs, he said it was a no-brainer. “What we do is solve problems for our customers, and this solves numerous problems for these folks because it helps them get these dogs acclimated.” Tom says the visits for training are also well loved by his associates, who look forward to seeing the pups in the aisles.
With a longstanding history, The Seeing Eye has been training dogs to become Seeing Eye dogs since 1929 with the goal to increase independence and dignity of people who are blind. The organization has matched more than 18,000 dogs to date. Puppy raisers, who help train dogs during their first few months before going back to the organization to finalize their training, say Lowe’s is an ideal place to train their pups.
“It’s a fantastic place for lots of distractions and great exposure for our puppies of all ages. They will meet crowds of people, practice checking out at a register, in addition to getting used to noises like the tools and machines,” said Kristen Motta, an Area Coordinator and puppy raiser for The Seeing Eye.
“Rest” and “sit” echo throughout the aisles as puppy raisers help their dogs learn the basics. Kyle Street, a Seeing Eye graduate and now an employee of the organization, stands by with his guide dog Bailey and reflects on how this basic training has changed his life.
“I would not be doing as much as I do today if I didn’t have a dog. He fits seamlessly into my family, into my career aspirations, and into my love for travel. He's gone on planes and trains and all the modes of transportation and into Disney World and even on some rides,” said Kyle Street, a Seeing Eye dog handlerrecipient.
If you ever see someone with a Seeing Eye dog or a dog in training at Lowe’s, Kyle wants people to know that it’s okay to approach them and ask questions. He’s also got one important message. “I want everyone to know I’m just like you; my eyes just don’t work.”
