Christina: [00:00:00] Welcome to the Taking the Lead podcast where we empower people to be unstoppable. I'm Christina Hoeppner with my co-host, Leslie Hoskins and Timothy Kino. We are well into summer and I just can't believe it. I say this, I probably say this every time, but it's fine. Every week. It's the same thing
Leslie: every week.
It's wild. It is wild. Hot Timothy. What's going on? Hot. Yes, I know.
Timothy: Well, uh, I found out this weekend and we need to expect the really unexpected at a store. Expect the unexpected. That's like big brother's tagline. Yeah.
Leslie: Yeah.
Timothy: Well, we were going through a Home Depot here in, in my little town, and. And me and Glacier were walking through the, the outdoor lawn and garden.
And, uh, we went past this point and all of a sudden all this merchandise started flying off the shelf. Oh, what now I'm looking at glacier. What'd you do? And all of a sudden, this cat came outta nowhere and bopped her on the nose inside a Home [00:01:00] Depot.
Leslie: A cat. A cat, a cat in Home Depot.
Timothy: A cat. It apparently it lives there.
It's like one of the shop, you know, a store cat. Oh. It was a stray. And they take care of it. And this cat came out of nowhere, out of the shelf and stuff. I mean, stuff was flying everywhere. And Glacier backed up and boop, right on her nose, came to paw.
Christina: Aw.
Leslie: Wait a minute. Little cat shit that
Timothy: got outta there fast.
Leslie: Also seems like you'd be a little annoyed with a cat that's knocking things off the shelves all the time.
Timothy: Well, it is probably not expecting to see a guide dog walking through, you know? Yeah. You see a dog at a Home Depot, but, uh. No, it was just, it was, it was really, you know, I'm always looking for a dog or somebody's got a dog in the distortion, but, but a cat, you never expect a cat?
I would, yeah. I wouldn't say I would expect a cat. I've
Christina: seen, I feel like Home Depot is one of those places you see some weird things happen, like birds get in there. I've seen, you know, I love a Home Depot like Cat, but yeah, I've never seen a cat inside a Home Depot.
Leslie: I [00:02:00] mean, we do have a cat that lives, we have two cats that live at the Canon Development Center.
Yeah, so. I guess we're accustomed to that, however, not a big shopping store. Would I expect a cat to be living there? No. No.
Timothy: Well, we got a cat here, so she's used to cats, but I don't think she'd expect to see a cat either.
Leslie: Not one booping her around the nose, just walking there around on Depot,
Timothy: wanted to play apparently.
What a place. Her deal. She, she, she backed up and looked over there and then Cheryl goes, there's a cat. So we got outta there fast. 'cause you know, I don't know if the cat still has claws or not. Yeah, right. We, we got out there fast. Uh, little Cat looks like she survived. She had a little scratch on her nose, but she's fine.
Aw,
Leslie: little kitty cat just wanted to play saw friend.
Timothy: It was a tuxedo cat, so it was a pretty cat.
Leslie: Roaming the the store. You never know. I'm just
Timothy: looking for a water fountain for the house and all of a sudden, here we
Christina: go. I love that sound effect.[00:03:00]
Leslie: That's so funny. Okay, well I'm glad you guys survived that. That seems like a bit of an attack that nobody anticipated. Well,
Timothy: just all the guide dog uses out there, be prepared even for the stuff you don't think is gonna happen.
Leslie: Right. Except can listen, expect the unexpected. No truer words. Okay, well I guess I'll be on the lookout next time I go to Home Depot for, uh, a feline friend.
Did you get the name of the cat or anything?
Timothy: Uh, no, we really didn't ask. I was really wanting to find a fountain, so we, uh, he was on a mission, carried on
Leslie: a man on a mission.
Timothy: Well, I'm still on that mission 'cause we didn't find one that day. So I like to have a water feature out front so I can hear the bubbling of the water.
Leslie: Maybe the cat was trying to tell you where the fountains were. Maybe you're supposed to follow the cat. Like a guy cat inside the store. What is
Christina: Leslie making up right now? I'm just thinking
Leslie: like maybe if we can train dogs to do things, who knows what these cats are capable of in home people? I dunno.
Listen, I've never heard of a
Christina: cat. What a [00:04:00] sales
Leslie: person cat that's helping you. We've got
Christina: cats, a sales cat that work
Leslie: for us. We have a chief feline officer.
Timothy: That's true.
Leslie: Crazier things have happened.
Timothy: Put the little orange apron on it. It says the Home Depot. On my gosh. Can
Leslie: you imagine? That'd be so cute. Great
Christina: marketing.
Leslie: That's,
Christina: that's all. I think I'm like,
Leslie: Christina's like think of the socials. Think of the socials. Oh gosh. She'd be so good. Okay,
Timothy: well get Home Depot to sponsor this, this
Christina: episode.
Leslie: No kidding. That'd be fun. That would be fun.
Christina: I do love The Home Depot.
Leslie: Well, I'm glad you guys, uh, made it through that and uh, hopefully you'll find that fountain.
Timothy: Yeah, we're looking.
Leslie: Best of luck to you. Alright, well, after all that, we're gonna dive right into it because our guest is a volunteer with a very unique
Christina: role at Leader Dog. Yes. Eric Walters had a long time career in finance and accounting before retiring seven years ago after his retirement, he was looking for a volunteer opportunity that he could do on an ongoing basis.
And a friend who [00:05:00] also volunteers at Leader Dogs suggested he look into it.
Timothy: Eric, welcome to the podcast. Great name. That's my middle name, so hey, it is
Eric: a good name.
Timothy: I know it is. So tell us how you found Leader Dog.
Eric: Uh, well, I've lived in the Detroit area my whole life and I, I've been aware of Leader Dogs in the great reputation they have in the community.
Um, my dad had developed macular degeneration late in his life about the last 10 years of his life. So I experienced how visual impairment and blindness can impact an individual as well as a whole family. Mm-Hmm. Um, when the friend told me about all the opportunities at Leader Dog in the volunteer program, I started looking into it and browsing the online postings and picked up on the driver position.
And here I am today. So.
Leslie: I think the driver position has gotta be one of the most unique positions that we have at Leader Dog, which we do have a lot of very unique volunteer positions and just roles in general. But thinking about that, so what exactly is a volunteer [00:06:00] driver? I.
Eric: So there's two roles when I applied.
Both roles are listed in the postings, the, the, the puppy and dog transport driver, as well as the client driver. So I started with the, with the puppies and the dogs, um, because I thought that'd be a little less stressful than, than jumping right into clients. So the dog and puppy transport is primarily moving dogs.
Within our prisoner, um, puppy raise program. So going, taking eight week old puppies out to the prisons and coming back with the, uh, the 1-year-old ifts back, the leader dog. Um, so you're picking up dogs at a prison. You don't actually go into prison? Um, I did interact with prisoners once,
Leslie: yeah. Is
Eric: kind of interesting.
But you're, you're basically pulling up into the parking lot. Someone comes out, you pass off the puppies, they bring the dogs out. Um, occasionally do it in the lobby, in the visitor center. Um, but so for the most part it's driving those back and forth and some of the other opportunities With that, you can, it might be just taking a dog to a vet appointment for something specialized or [00:07:00] picking up donated breeder stock from a breeder, or picking up puppies from the co-op program from the breeding co-op program.
So other, other, you know, movement of puppies, but it's primarily the, the prison program where you're moving dogs around and then the client drives is all the clients come in on a Sunday for class and they leave on a Saturday. So we're picking up clients at, at the Detroit airport, um, on Sunday, and then taking them back after they complete their, their training on Saturday, picking them up.
We pick them up at baggage claim, the airport service provider picks 'em up off the plane, brings them to baggage claim. And then we take them off to Leader Dog. The return trip is a little more complicated. That's a good way to put it. And, and challenging just my, uh, that's my remark about, uh, the stress of avoiding it at first.
Leslie: Yeah.
Eric: But with the drop off, we, we drive out to the airport. Typically we'll pull up to departures and we'll take the clients into the terminal with their baggage. [00:08:00] We'll go park the car, which is right across the street. It takes us two minutes to get back to the client. We get them through baggage check if they're checking a bag, and then it's through TSA, walking them through TSA and make sure that goes smoothly and give them a lot of assistance.
Um, because Delta and TSA at Metro are so familiar with us, because of the volume, it usually goes fairly smoothly. Um, and then we get them to the gate. Uh, it, it depends on the client, whether we stay at the gate with them until the plane boards. Um, some of the clients are confident enough to sit by themselves and some, some will request that you sit with them until the plane comes and then.
You know, when you get a little more experience, you kind of make an assessment whether you need to stay with them or not. Even if they say they don't need, need you to stay. So, um, and then again, the service comes and puts them on the plane because we're not allowed to go onto the plane with them. Mm-Hmm.
Timothy: I bet you when you take a pick up, a client, say you get their their first dog, you meet 'em at the airport and for that moment till you pick them up and take 'em back, the transformations you [00:09:00] see in the clients of showing up. And going home with a dog that probably really excites you of how much that's changed that client's life.
Eric: Oh yeah. That's the interesting part about the client stuff. It's just a completely different experience from the dog transport. Um, the clients are just amazing. I mean, I. Seeing their confidence and moving through the airport. And a lot of nervousness if it's a first dog. And, and even with, you know, I've had clients that are on their third, fourth, fifth dog, and they may ask you to sit at the gate with them because they're just nervous about that first plane ride with a new dog.
So it just depends. But, uh, the thing that amazes me every trip is just. The confidence and the outgoingness of these people and just the great attitude they have, you know, given their situation in life.
Leslie: That's exciting, right? It's a whole new chapter, and it's kind of that unexpected, again, expect the unexpected, especially that first trip, you're with them on their very first voyage of really being independent with their guide dog for the first time, right?
Mm-Hmm. Most other times there's guide dog mobility instructors that at least have [00:10:00] eyes on them, you know, even if they're out routing independently. Somebody is watching so they can step in if anybody needs assistance. But this is that first time I'm sure that is so nerve wracking. Yeah. Timothy, do you remember what that was like that very first time you guys are alone and at the airport?
Timothy: Oh yes. 'cause I had to put the general leader on Glacier 'cause she was really excited. So we were going back, it was me and another client and the driver had to take care of both of us and took us to the gate. And it was nice to have somebody there 'cause it is nerve wracking.
Eric: Mm-Hmm.
Timothy: Because like you said, this is our first trip alone.
And then you, you sat there and then you, you know, you, you're gonna go through this. So you just had to accept it and just, you know, we're gonna make it 'cause this dog is trained. I've been trained and we're gonna be a success. And that's what it's been like for the past five years.
Leslie: That's wonderful. And also to our o and m clients.
So you're not only helping guide dog clients. Yes. Right at the airport going through and security and stuff, but also our orientation of mobility or white cane clients who have been working on their independence with the white [00:11:00] cane. What would you say is the biggest difference working with or taking back an o and M client versus a guide dog client?
Anything.
Eric: Not really. I think, you know, sometimes it's, it's a matter, you know, that that confidence is there a lot of times. And um, just in as example I had one, you know, so many escalators and moving sidewalks and elevators and so, you know, you ask them, you know, are you able to use the escalator or what do you wanna do?
You wanna use the elevator? And I had a guide dog client that said, oh, my instructor told me I should probably stay off of escalators. We weren't doing too well last week and I need more practice. And then he said, but we can give it a try today. And I could practice. And I said, uh, no, none on, not on my watch, not on my watch, not on my watch.
I'm not a trained professional.
Leslie: That is funny. What type of training did you have to go through to be in this role as a volunteer driver?
Eric: So the puppy and dog transport, it's, you know, you get a. An hour or so of just some basic leader dog puppy skills and how to, or dog training skills and how you handle the puppies. Um, I've had a dog, so I'm, [00:12:00] I'm aware with, with, I'm familiar with dogs and training dogs and, and taking care of dogs, but you get some unique skills that are applicable to Leader Dog.
Um, with the, uh, client drive, um, you have to, uh. I had, I'm sorry, with the client drives, um, we had some training with, uh, human guide. So you spend about a half an hour with, with one of the, the leader dog staff and they take you through the human guide techniques, um, which is interesting. Uh, and then I. In terms of the airport we're given because we're going through TSA so much, um, they give us, uh, or we apply for an employee, actually an airport employee badge that we can go through TSA without having to, um, take our shoes off is the biggest benefit.
Yeah. Not having to deal with the boarding pass and it is just makes it a lot quicker and a lot easier. Um, and if you happen to go through without a client, through the employee entrance, it's a lot. Quicker, obviously. Um, and that involves going out and obviously background [00:13:00] check. And then you have to go out to the airport and you have to do a few hours of training sitting in a computer.
Um, and then every year or so, well, every year you've gotta renew and you've gotta go out and do some updated training on the, the online training out at the airport. After that, with both positions, it's shadowing. You're shadowing an experienced driver for as many drives as you think you need until you're comfortable going out on your own.
Um, with the dogs I was, I was pretty. One or two drives and I was ready to go, um, with the clients. That took a few more drives before you build up that confidence because you're, you're not guiding a dog, you're guiding a human being with a lot more consequences.
Christina: Yeah, yeah. Right. Yeah. And it's, I mean, it is such a unique volunteer role.
I mean, not every type of organization has something where you can really impact not only the puppies Mm-Hmm. On their, you know, next journey. But our clients as well as they're starting their journey at Leader Dog and they're. Going home after, you know, they've come and done some of our programs at Leader [00:14:00] Dog.
Uh, what are some of your favorite things about being a volunteer driver?
Eric: Well, like I said, what was, what attracted to me first I saw driver. I love to drive. I mean, I worked in the automotive industry. I love to drive, so that attracted me first. And then obviously the puppies, I mean everyone. I think that probably.
Envisions volunteering at Leader Dog thinks of working with the puppies, the dogs. Yeah, that's so true. So that's the fun part. Um, uh, you know, that's what attracted me to it with the clients. It was, you know, once I got comfortable with Leader Dogs and I started learning a lot more about Leader Dogs, um, and just what goes on here, I, I, I felt like I needed to branch out and, and do something more.
And I, I really. Then delved into the client position because I wanted to interact with clients and get that experience as well.
Leslie: I know it's crazy. I mean, people still do think of us as a dog organization and puppies, and we are. Mm-Hmm. But we're about our clients. And so to have firsthand experience and be a part of that mission, I.
Is very, very cool and we're so [00:15:00] thankful to you for doing that role because honestly, uh, back in the day, I'll say, and, and even before my time really, it was up to the instructors to go pick up clients from the airport and then drop them off. And those are long days and long hours already. And then you add in those weekends every time too.
And it's exhausting. It's a lot. Right? And we wanna make sure that our instructors are. Feeling refreshed and up to par and ready to take on those challenges and give it their all when they are there. So having volunteer drivers to assist with that is absolutely huge. I hear about. Erica and Barry from the o and m perspective, they used to work like 20 some days in a row because they were constantly getting clients on Sunday and then dropping 'em off on Saturday, picking the next, you know, round of clients up the following day, Sunday.
Wow. And it was a nonstop, nonstop. Nonstop. And so again, to have that volunteer position to assist clients through that is it, it's just absolutely incredible. It's such a huge help to the instructors so they can stay refreshed during their time and, and like [00:16:00] I said, give it their all. So. Thank you for doing that.
I am curious too, what is the farthest trip you've taken? Because you mentioned taking the puppies out to these prisons, and we know some of those are pretty far away.
Eric: Um, the, the farthest prison I went to was, um, in the Upper Peninsula Baraga Correctional Facility. It's at the, the south. Southeast corner of the Ana Peninsula, so
Christina: Wow.
Eric: In terms of the prison drives, that's the farthest I've gone. But then for breeding and, and puppy stock, I've been to Baltimore, Syracuse. Oh my gosh. Madison, Wisconsin, Chicago. Wow. I
Leslie: knew Van. That's all over the country. Yeah.
Eric: And, and some of them are unique 'cause you're, you're, you're meeting a person, you know, you pick a parking lot to meet in and so you're sitting,
Leslie: it's like Facebook marketplace for puppies.
Eric: But you're easy to spot because you're in a, you're in a van and blazoned with leader dogs, so they can spot you pretty easily. So that's,
Christina: that's fun, but a little sketchy as well. Pick a parking lot. I'll be in the big van.
Eric: I've heard about [00:17:00] people. I'll take
Christina: all the puppies.
Eric: I've heard about that. Can you
Christina: imagine somebody watching that?
Yeah.
Eric: Because I've heard about people, you know, getting a dog and beating the breeder at some restaurant at an exit. It's like, you know, it's kind of, it's sketchy.
Leslie: Yeah. And here we are doing it in Leader Dog. Yeah. But that's incredible. Same thing, right? Like you're helping so many team members out by doing that, in which ultimately is helping the mission.
So it's such an important role.
Eric: Oh, and I picked up a dog in Canada puppy from a co-op program in Canada.
Leslie: Oh, nice. So when you have all these puppies and you're taking 'em on these long trips, you have to let 'em out. Like you have to stop and try to let out. What is that like logistically thinking about that?
Yeah, a lot of bags and
Eric: so with the puppies and the dogs, it can be a, a joyful experience or not so joyful experience depending on how well behaved or how well the, the dogs handle the crate and being in a vehicle, a lot of the prisoner puppy. Dogs. They were taken up to the prison and they may have never been [00:18:00] in a vehicle again.
Christina: Yeah.
Eric: So it's hard getting 'em in the crate sometimes. Oh my gosh. And then they're just not comfortable driving. So it can be a lot of barking and whining. It can also be a lot of vomit and poop. It just, just a glorious job, a gl. My first few jobs I hit, I had perfect dogs. I didn't have any. Crate mess ups or anything.
And then about the third or fourth one, it was just a disaster. Yeah. I was cleaning crates at every stop and Oh my gosh. And I, one of my, my sister-in-Law said to me, so are the shines kind of on, come on.
Christina: But you've stuck around. Yes. And we are so thankful for that. And so what keeps you motivated? 'cause obviously there's some challenging parts to it. Um, but what keeps you motivated and active to continue to volunteer with Leader Dog?
Eric: I think it's, it's, it's a couple things. I mean, with, with any of the drives, especially with the dogs, um, it's, you know, you're, like I say, you're driving around in this van that's, that's emblazoned with [00:19:00] leader dogs.
You're stopping at rest areas or park, you know, McDonald's or wherever you're stopping. Usually a rest stop to ex to park the dogs and give them some exercise. Um, so people are. Attracted to the van, and then if you're out parking these, especially the puppies, you've got, oh, I'm sure, two or three puppies out there, and it just attracts people and they come up and talk to you.
And so it, it, it's fun and it's, it, I I enjoy kind of being an ambassador for Leader Dog and just talking up Leader Dog and trying to, to answer as many questions as I can, hopefully, you know?
Leslie: Yeah.
Eric: Factually yes. If I don't know the answer, I, you know, I tell them I don't know the answer. Um, so that's part of it.
Um. I mean, that's the biggest part I think that keeps me motivated. It's just, it's just an incredible organization and, and having the opportunity to be one of their ambassadors is cool.
Christina: Yeah. And I'm sure the client stories you hear as well, you meet people from all over the country who come in Mm-Hmm.
Eric: Yep. And sitting in the van with them for an hour out to the airport and then, you know, standing in line and, you know, at TSA and [00:20:00] such, and then sitting at the gate and, and them sharing their experience is just incredible. I mean, you don't probe too much. You don't wanna say, Hey, you know, how, how did you become blind?
It's like, you know, you, you, you just, you know, like I said, um, I was telling. Leslie. Earlier we had a client and he asked me, you know, did I tell you how I became blind? And I said, no. And he said, can I tell you? And I said, if you're comfortable. Yeah. Um, so when they tell you their, their stories, and you know, again, it's a learning experience every drive.
'cause you're, you're, you may be learning a new technique, you know, and how to handle something or primarily, you know, you're learning about, you know. What causes blindness and in so many different ways to become blind, whether it's injury or disease or hereditary. Um, and then just the technology and the way people that are, you know, the technology today and all the new things coming out that help them, it's just incredible.
Every drive is a learning experience,
Leslie: so I'm sure, I'm sure you hear all the highs and lows.
Timothy: Well, Eric, I'll let let you know. I remember the first person that picked me up from my o and m, [00:21:00] and I remember the person who took me back to the airport, so I remember. All so I'll just, the clients remember you.
Yes. So I have a good feeling about that. And I want to thank you for doing this because you free up time for the, for the, uh, the, the g DMI and all the instructors so they can focus on the dogs. And it takes a village for Leader Dog to exist. And you're one of the key pieces for us, and we want to thank you for doing what you do and volunteering.
Eric: Thanks. I, that's one of the things about Leader Dog is everyone is so appreciative. I mean, you're, you're thanked. You know, every day. I mean, you don't, you don't leave Leader Dog without being thanked. And I think that that goes a long way, I think with the volunteers, whether they say it or not, but it's, it's, it's amazing how, you know, you really feel like you're, you're contributing and that people are appreciative of it.
And I, I appreciate that. So thank you.
Leslie: That's so wonderful to hear. I feel like we say that stuff kind of all the time on the podcast, and I hope people believe it and can feel it because it is so true. Like it's just a phenomenal organization. The work that is happening [00:22:00] there from all the team members, all the volunteers and the clients of course, because they're the ones ultimately, you know, putting in the most work at the end of the day.
And our donors who support us, um, it's just a really great place to be. So I hope that, that, that vibe is coming off all the time.
Eric: Believe me, it's, it's, it feels genuine every time.
Leslie: So Good. That's fantastic to hear. And I have to ask before we end, because you got to be one of the fun volunteer drivers for camp, which is again, just something I love to talk about.
So I have to ask, what is it like or the differences between picking up campers versus our clients who are coming for other programs?
Eric: Picking up the campers is unique because, um, you know, you're, you're spending, um, so as I said, the, when you pick up someone, they come out to baggage claim. So this last camp we, uh, I had a drive where we picked up eight campers.
Um, so they come out, you know, three of 'em are on the same plane, two of them are on the same plane. So they either come out solo or in a group, and, and then they seem, even if, you know, some [00:23:00] of them know each other. Yeah. So they've already bought, you know, they know each other from home. Um. Some of them never met before and they bond right away and they, they just start talking and the whole way in the van, you know, they're just, and they're making jokes about being blind and it is just incredible.
You know, like I said, even at that, that age, you know, you got these 16 and 17 year olds that could really cop an attitude. Leslie and I were talking about that earlier. Um, they, they, they're like all our other clients, they're very positive. They're very motivated to learn. Um. It's amazing. It's just, and and just listening to them is just hilarious.
So, and I can only
Leslie: imagine 'cause this last group we had in was so funny. They were so good and they did, they got along so well, so quickly, and I'm sure the ride home or back to the airport was sad and tears and hugs and.
Eric: Taking them back. I only had one. I had, uh, you know, they group 'em obviously by, by flight time.
Mm-Hmm. So that they're not sitting at the airport for a long time. So I took [00:24:00] one client back. So I only, I didn't have a group of teens going back. I just had one guy. So,
Leslie: yeah. They, they're wonderful. Well, thank you, Eric, honestly, for joining us for all that you do with Leader Dog. It's absolutely fantastic.
It's such a unique and fun role. And as you can hear in Timothy's voice too, he remembers his drive. Mm-Hmm. It's so important, so thank you.
Eric: Okay. Thank you. Thanks for having me. Of course.
Leslie: And thank you so much to our listeners for listening to the Taking the Lead podcast. I'm Leslie Hoskins with host Christina Hepner and Timothy Kunal.
We hope you enjoyed learning about Eric and the important role he plays at Leader Dog. Please join us next time as we continue to dive into the world of blindness.
Christina: Yes. And if you'd like to learn more about applying to our free services at Leader Dog. Or volunteering. You can head to leader dog.org or call us at (888) 777-5332.
Don't forget you can reach us at taking the lead@leaderdog.org with any questions or ideas. If you like today's podcast, make sure to hit subscribe and check us out [00:25:00] wherever Podcast Stream.