Paula Abdul Hosts Guide Dog Graduation Ceremony

Paula Abdul and servicemen with their new guide dogs

Yesterday I attended a guide dog graduation ceremony at the Guide Dogs of the Desert, located in Palm Springs, CA. I’ve been to several guide dog graduations in the past but this one was special for a variety of reasons.

First off, all seven of the graduates were US Veterans, two of which are active duty servicemen who lost their sight while serving. The ceremony was hosted by singer and American Idol judge Paula Abdul, and actors Dick Van Patten and his son Jimmy Van Patten of Natural Balance pet food were also at the event. In addition to the graduation, for me, the event was a sort of “kick off” to a partnership between Paula, Natural Balance and PETCO to promote National Guide Dog Month in May.

Jimmy Van Patten, Paula Abdul and Dick Van Patten

At the ceremony, the seven U.S. Veterans received their guide dogs after the completing a training course on how to handle and work with a service dog. Every time I see a visually impaired person with a guide dog, I am reminded what heroes guide dogs are. Yesterday’s graduation was especially poignant, as the Veterans are also heroes in their own right.

The event started with tours of the guide dog facility, which included the kennels, training areas and boarding facilities for visually impaired people who come to the campus to train for using a service dog. Since Paula Abdul and Dick Van Patten were at the event, there was a huge press contingent including the local CBS and NBC affiliates, TV Guide, local newspapers and magazines, among others. I watched as the cameras flashed and reporters shouted a barrage of questions for Paula Abdul and Dick Van Patten.

After the press conference, Paula met each of the Veterans and their guide dogs. She spent a lot of time listening to and asking questions of each person. They all seemed thrilled to be meeting Ms. Abdul.

The graduation ceremony was open to the public and drew a large crowd, which spilled into several rooms and even a huge tent outside, all with large TV monitors that allowed the audience to see the proceedings. The convocation was conducted live via satellite from a military chaplain based in Japan who had been a puppy raiser for the Guide Dogs of the Desert and wanted to participate in the graduation ceremony taking place.

Paula Abdul and Me

After Paula made her opening remarks, each puppy raiser presented a Veteran with their new guide dog companion. It was an emotional experience for the puppy raiser to hand over a dog they raised and trained for 18 months. Paula then presented each Veteran a certificate of completion and a U.S. flag that had been flown over the White House.

I am proud that PETCO is helping to support Guide Dog organizations like Guide Dogs of the Desertr all across the country. Throughout May, PETCO and Natural Balance along with Paula Abdul will be raising money for Guide Dog schools. Visit PETCO.com to see how you can help, too. 

Among the servicemen who received a guide dog at the ceremony were:

• SPC David Fisher RET (Army)
  David served in the Vietnam War. David was attached to Charlie Company 709 Maintenance Division. David will be getting Eugene, a male golden retriever.
• SGT Timothy Richardson, RET (Army)
  Timothy served during the Vietnam War. Timothy was with a construction battalion assigned to the Corp of Engineers. Timothy will be getting Waldo, a male Labrador / poodle cross.
• MSGT Ruth Schumaker, RET (Marines)
  Ruth served during WWII, Korea and Vietnam, and will be getting Pearl, a female Labrador/ golden retriever cross. Pearl was named for the crew of the USS Pearl Harbor, who have volunteered their time at Guide Dogs of the Desert.
• SGT Douglas Cereghin (Army)
  Douglas served in both the Persian Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom and is active in the Army serving at Fort Bragg. Douglas is a combat medic and combat engineer. Douglas will be getting Zihn, a male golden retriever Labrador cross.
• MSG Dexter Durrante (Army)
  Dexter served in both the Persian Gulf War and Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan. Dexter is a Combat Engineer, and currently serves at Fort Bragg. Dexter will be getting Shepard (Shep) a black and tan Labrador retriever.
• CPL William English, RET (Marines)
  William served in the Vietnam war and drove an anti tank vehicle for the 3rd Marine Division.William will be learning Orientation and Mobility and life skills training for the blind from a state certified O&M specialist which is a prerequisite to getting a guide dog.
• PFC Dennis Olp, RET (Army)
  Dennis served in the Persian Gulf War, and is a sighted paraplegic. Dennis was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Air Defense Artillery. Dennis will be getting Cleveland, who will be his wheelchair service dog and a part of the Heroes helping Heroes therapy program. Dennis and Cleveland will visit VA hospitals. Cleveland was named in honor of the crew of the USS Cleveland, who have volunteered their time at Guide Dogs of the Desert.