Cold Spring Lions Club hosts third annual parade for Heeling Autism service dogs
On Saturday, Oct. 18, from 1 to 3 p.m., the Cold Spring Lions Club will repeat their annual “STRUT” of dogs and puppies down Main Street in Cold Spring to show awareness of service dogs trained by Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Heeling Autism service dogs provide safety and companionship for children with autism — expanding their horizons to achieve life’s goals and offering families newfound independence.
Registration will be at the Cold Spring Firehouse, at 154 Main St., Cold Spring, and the parade will continue down to the foot of Main Street and back culminating on the driveway and lawn of the Episcopal Church of St. Mary in-the-Highlands.
All well-behaved breeds and ponies are invited. Greet and meet all the people along the way and let them know why you support service dogs for children with autism.
Families with Heeling Autism dogs will also be on hand to speak about their personal experiences and how their adorable, but specially trained dogs, have transformed their lives. One mom shared: “Our Heeling Autism service dog has been the bridge to connect Danny from the world of autism into our world. She brought him a level of safety that we, his family, could not. She is the quiet, gentle, assuring presence that allows him to feel the security he needs to experience life.”
As in the past, the day promises to be fun, educational and loaded with treats for humans and dogs alike.
About Cold Spring Lions Club
Cold Spring Lions Club celebrated their 75th anniversary honoring the Budney family.
Over decades they provided community service including assistance with eye exams and eyeglasses, hearing aids, seniors’ day dinner and sing, shredder day, hurricane and flood relief, holiday wish list and food baskets, college scholarships, mother of the year honoree, vacation camp for the blind, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Yorktown, and Hoving Home, among others. Its history includes providing seed money for the Cold Spring Dock, with Moms on Monday financing and constructing the “Tots Park” and funding the Haldane School Graduation Knoll.
In July, a special bench on the waterfront park was dedicated to Mackey Budney and the Budney family, a joint contribution of Alison Anthoine, the Village of Cold Spring and the Cold Spring Lions for the long years of their involvement with the CSL and the Cold Spring Village.
About Guiding Eyes for the Blind
Guiding Eyes for the Blind is an internationally accredited 501(c)(3) nonprofit guide dog school founded in 1954. Since its inception, Guiding Eyes has grown to be one of the foremost guide dog schools in the world, known for its cutting-edge training programs, commitment to excellence, and dedication to its elite and superbly trained guide dogs.
In 2008, the school launched Heeling Autism, a service dog program designed to provide safety and companionship for children on the autism spectrum. Guiding Eyes provides all of its services at no cost, and is dependent upon contributions to fulfill its mission. The organization’s Headquarters and Training Center is located in Yorktown Heights, New York, and its Canine Development Center is in Patterson, New York. For more information, visit guidingeyes.org, like Guiding Eyes on Facebook (facebook.com/guidingeyes) or follow @guidingeyes on Twitter.
