Seeing Eye Puppies Get Training at Gateway Playhouse Rehearsal

I was so happy to see a 6ABC News story about People & Puppies at Work for Sight (PPAWS) collaborating with Gateway Theater in Somers Point to help with the socialization of puppies in the Seeing Eye Dogs in Training program.

The puppies were invited to the weekend's dress rehearsals for Gateway Playhouse's rendition of "9 to 5: The Musical" as a good way for the dogs to practice being on their best behavior around people in different circumstances.

" I know that the puppies that we are raising are going to go on to help somebody, give them their full independence to be able to explore the world. The puppies are also going to be very well loved and very well taken care of," said Peter Avagliano, Leader of People & Puppies at Work for Sight.

Pete Avagliano and his wife Peggy have been friends with my wife Beth and me for a long time, and I know about Pete's love and dedication to this seeing-eye dog training program.

Once, at a banquet luncheon we both attended years ago, Pete brought the seeing-eye pup he was training at the time, and the pup lay quietly the whole time, being much more obedient than I was.

Seeing Eye Puppies Attend the Theater

Pete Avaliano is the technical director for Gateway Playhouse in Somers Point. As the theater prepares to present "9 to 5: The Musical" from Sept. 24- 27 and Oct. 1-4, they held dress rehearsals this weekend.

The attached 6ABC video shows the dogs calmly relaxing while the actors are on stage preparing their roles and singing their hearts out.

Gateway Playhouse and PPAWS have announced a formal partnership dedicated to enriching lives through empowerment, education, and meaningful human connection.

The puppies' time at Gateway Playhouse will help to socialize the puppies-in-training, an important step in fostering a calm and confident working guide dog.

PPAWS Partners With Guide-Dog Organization The Seeing Eye

People & Puppies at Work for Sight of Atlantic and Cape May counties trains the puppies for The Seeing Eye, which calls itself the oldest and largest guide-dog organization in the world.

Puppy raisers volunteer to host a Labrador or Golden Retriever, or German Shepherd puppy in their homes.

The mission at The Seeing Eye, based in Morristown, NJ, is to enhance the independence, dignity, and self-confidence of blind people through the use of Seeing Eye dogs.

"Our mission statement is to provide affordable theater to our community, and we have so many things happening here all the time...Dress rehearsal is such a wonderful opportunity for the dogs to learn about the real world," said Katie Calvie, Chairman of the Board at Gateway Playhouse.

Watch the 6ABC video below.