OccuPaws: Home-Based Guide Dog Training

For someone with a visual disability, a guide dog can represent independence and freedom. But the required training isn't always as convenient.Many out-of-home guide dog schools require you leave your home for up to four weeks. But if you've got family or work commitments, that can be tough.A Wisconsin-based non-profit called the OccuPaws Guide Dog Association is working to change that."We'll be actually training the dogs in the client's home environment so they do not have to leave for the 28 day stay. We'll actually go to them and train so they don't have to leave their families and professional commitments," founder Nicole Meadowcroft said.Meadowcroft says the Madison-based organization is a new concept with big goals. Its motto is “Harnessing Independence Through Teamwork.""I think it's going to gain popularity as time goes on...as people realize the benefits and uniqueness of what we're doing," Meadowcroft said.Dog trainer Doug Weil of Clark County has been working with Dale for the past six weeks and is now helping him and Nicole work as a team.

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