The Student News Site of Ithaca College

The Ithacan
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The Student News Site of Ithaca College

The Ithacan
The Student News Site of Ithaca College

The Ithacan
Junior Miguel Brand with Frost, the guiding eyes dog he is training with Ithaca College’s chapter of Guiding Eyes for the Blind.

Ithaca College students train future guide dogs

By Sarah Payne, Staff Writer • October 11, 2025
Ithaca College’s chapter of Guiding Eyes for the Blind is an organization that allows students to become involved in this process. Those raising the dogs can assist in training and preparing the dogs for the real world.
Preventative measures like paw wax and booties can be used to protect paws from dangers on the ground like chemicals, ice and concrete.

Salt used on campus to melt ice hurts guiding eye dogs

By Olivia Stanzl, Assistant News Editor • March 2, 2022
Guiding eye dog trainers take issue with the ice-melt used on campus because the salt is composed of sodium chloride, the least pet friendly kind.

Guiding Eyes dogs celebrate Halloween

November 5, 2021

Guiding Eyes for the Blind at Ithaca College held a Halloween parade Oct. 31 outside the library that ended in a puppy playtime in Textor 101.

Marissa Holske, a first year physical therapy graduate student, is raising her puppy, Wave, in Ithaca. Wave was expected to return to GEB for formal training in Spring 2021, but due the pandemic, Wave may stay with Holske for an extra eight months.

Formal training for guiding eyes dogs delayed

By Ryan Bieber, Staff Writer • October 6, 2020
Guiding Eyes for the Blind at IC has had its paws full raising dogs amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which has delayed formal guide dog training.
Ziti is an 8-month-old black Labrador who is being raised by sophomore Sarah LaFontaine. LaFontaine said Ziti is a sassy and mischievous dog who loves going for walks in the woods. RAY VOLKIN/THE ITHACAN

Furry friends with a future: Meet Guiding Eyes for the Blind

March 21, 2018

Guiding Eyes for the Blind is an international nonprofit organization that connects trained dogs with people who are blind or visually impaired. The organization was founded in 1954 and has since connected...

Editorial: Let seeing-eye dogs be trained in peace

Editorial: Let seeing-eye dogs be trained in peace

April 12, 2017
What students must recognize is that seeing-eye dogs are not just animals that exist to fulfill their love of furry creatures.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind handlers form bonds with dogs

Guiding Eyes for the Blind handlers form bonds with dogs

By Colin Barrett, Staff Writer • April 11, 2017
Sophomore Jack Ficcardi grips the leash of Aura, his yellow labrador retriever, with a tight hold. She looks up to him and sits down at his request.
Melissa Potter has been training guide dogs through Guiding Eyes for The Blind since she was a freshman. Now, she is vice president of the club.

IC student trains guide dogs to give sight to the blind

By Madeline Veneziano, Staff Writer • November 28, 2016

In a large, gated field behind Emerson Hall, labrador retrievers Eden and Aura enjoy some playtime by running through the grass — a short break from training by students like junior Melissa Potter. Potter,...

Ithaca College students celebrate Halloween with puppies

Ithaca College students celebrate Halloween with puppies

By Kendyl Bennett, Assistant Multimedia Editor • November 2, 2016

On Oct. 31, Guiding Eyes for the Blind hosted the "Puppy Meet and Greet: Halloween Edition."

Editorial: College students should not own prohibited pets

Editorial: College students should not own prohibited pets

September 23, 2015
Owning a pet on campus is prohibited, and students should respect this rule for both themselves and the well-being of the animals.

ITHACA TODAY: Monday, Dec. 2

December 2, 2013
Your daily source for Ithaca news and events.

ITHACA TODAY: Thursday, Oct. 31

October 31, 2013
Check out your Halloween-themed local news and events for Thursday, Oct. 31.
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