Lemoore Future Farmers assist Las Cruces FFA in raising guide dogs for the blind

The Lemoore FFA handed over eight puppies to a contingent from Las Cruces representing three high schools. They will be raised by students in a club called the Mesilla Valley Paws Patrol.

Getting the Paws Patrol up and running has been a team effort. Metro Portland’s  Deana Allen has spent the last several months working on recruiting, training, and preparing New Mexico for the arrival of the puppies, which will eventually be raised as guide dogs for the blind.

The Lemoore FFA Guide Dog Puppy Raisers generously started a group of puppies in their club in California and transferred them to their FFA colleagues in Las Cruces. Not only that, the Lemoore club loaded up and drove the pups to Phoenix, Arizona and delivered them to their new handlers, who met them halfway.  

The Guide Dog Raisers of Phoenix puppy club, along with their local restaurant partner Uncle Bear’s, hosted the whole bunch for dinner on Saturday night. Kudos also go to the Paws for the Cause 4-H Club of Tucson which made a trip to Las Cruces with their puppies to give the soon-to-be raisers some hands-on puppy experience.