Suki goes to First Grade!

Suki lying quietly in class. Notice how Suki's harness and the cane eerily reflect the flash from the camera, as they are equipped with reflectors for walking at night.

\Asking children to close their eyes and imagine a world in which they cannot see.


Walking among the children and giving them a chance to pet Suki from up close.


Working with Suki and giving commands among the tables and chairs

Demonstrating walking with a cane.


Suki was the star this morning in Rotem's first grade classroom. We entered the classroom to a chorus of shrieks and cries of "Suki, Suki!" and we finally managed to settle the kids down enough to begin the lesson. I felt it was important to make children understand what a guide dog is, how they are trained, how people who do not see can be more safe and independent, and to learn how to behave when they see a guide dog in the street.

I first asked the children to close their eyes and imagine how they would cross the street, go to the store and buy an ice cream, do homework, and keep from bumping into things and falling down if they could not see – even if they opened their eyes. I asked them to stretch out their hand and find what was in front of them. Then I showed them the various ways blind people get around. I showed them a cane and then, of course, Suki. In order to get the petting out of their system I walked Suki around the class on her leash and let them pet her. Then I put Suki's harness on and told them that she was now on the job, and walked around the classroom again, giving her commands to turn left and right, and asking them not to pet her or disturb her. The kids asked questions and were very interested. Suki then joined the kids outsode for a very noisy recess, and was a bit overwhelmed by the attention, the noise, and the constant petting, but I think she was a good ambassador for guide dogs at the school. She also performed on one of the makeshift games that were set up on the playground and walked up and down a bench that was placed at an angle and was leaning on a table, but I didn't allow her to jump off the table onto the mattresses like the kids were doing...

She must have found the morning more than a bit taxing, because as soon as we got on the train Suki crawled into the little doghouse space between the seats and I didn't even see her change positions until I woke her an hour and a half later as we approached Nahariya. At home she was taken out for a well-deserved run to release all that golden retriever energy, and then, of course, dinner. End of a long hard day.