Taking the Lead

In this episode we talk with Melissa Priester, Manager of Client Services, about the application process and what her team does for clients.

On this episode of Taking the Lead we talk with client Ellen Harper who is newer to the Leader Dog family but has still managed to participate in numerous Leader Dog programs. She talks about what it’s like transitioning from college into the workforce and disclosing having a disability.

On this episode we talk with Jeff Stein, Manager of Canine Care, about how our future Leader Dogs are cared for in the canine center while they are in guide dog training.

In this episode we talk with client Rita Harris who has been a speaker for Leader Dog, is a Lion, a nonprofit leader of her own and has attended Leader Dog for both Orientation and Mobility and Guide Dog Training.

We talk with Melissa Pletcher, Manager of Volunteer Engagement at Leader Dogs for the Blind about the many volunteer opportunities.

To kick off Season 3 we talk with Leader Dog client Jill Hinton Wolfe. She recently received her Leader Dog Hannah and is a U.S. Army Veteran who currently serves as Grand Valley State University’s first Military and Veteran Resource Manager.

On this short episode we talk about how to advocate for independence.

On this short episode we talk about how to find the right size cane.

On this short episode we talk about what exactly guide dogs can and can't do.

On this short episode of the Taking the Lead podcast we talk about different types accessible technology.

In this episode with talk with Chief Philanthropy Officer for Leader Dogs for the Blind Melissa Weisse on her journey with Leader Dog and what philanthropy means to our organization.

In this episode of the Taking the Lead podcast we talk with client Ashley Eisenmenger on how the guide dog process doesn't always work for everyone.

On this week’s episode we learn about the team members who are constantly traveling and are our feet on the streets, our field representatives. We talk with Jill Vani who is a guide dog mobility instructor as well as the supervisor of our field representative team about what they do.

On today’s episode we are going to talk about some difficult topics such as what happens when a guide dog gets too old to work and goes into retirement, or what happens when a dog passes away or how to prepare for a replacement dog. Joining us to discuss this is Laurie Craig, a Leader Dog graduate herself, but also as a licensed psychologist with over 34 years of experience.

In this episode, we talk about what it’s like as a parent whose children are going through vision loss.

In this episode we talk with Erica Ihrke, Extended Services Manager about what Orientation and Mobility training is as Leader Dog celebrates 20 years of provide orientation and mobility.

On this episode of the Taking the Lead podcast we talk with Beth Slade, Director of Lions Engagement at Leader Dog, about what Lions mean to our mission.

In this episode host Timothy Cuneio and Leader Dog client Shannon Columb have an honest and open conversation about what it's like losing vision throughout your life.

In this episode we talk with Leader Dog client Shannon Columb about her journey with blindness and coming to Leader Dog.

Kicking off in season two we plan to dive even more into the world of blindness and the stories of our amazing clients, team members, volunteers, and donors. Of course, there is no better way to start off season two than with our fearless leader, President and CEO Susan Daniels.

In this episode we talk about what it's like navigating an intersection for someone who is blind or visually impaired.

On this short episode of Taking the Lead we talk about how someone who is blind or visually impaired picks up after their guide dog.

In this short episode of Taking the Lead we address questions we've received about traveling in different environments.

On this episode we talk with Drew Harness on the importance of Orientation and Mobility (white cane) training and how these skills change throughout a person's life.

On this episode we talk with siblings Kayla and Zach Penzone. They are both Leader Dog clients who have retinitis pigmentosa and share their individual journeys.