Chelsea Animal Hospital

April 29th honors the focused work that guide dogs accomplish around the globe each day. We are featuring Michigan's Leader Dogs for the Blind school.
Leader Dog was founded on April 4, 1939, by three members of the Uptown Lions Club of Detroit: Charles A. Nutting, Donald P. Schurr and S.A. Dodge. They were inspired by a fellow Lion, Dr. Glenn “Doc” Wheeler, and his desire for a guide dog after he lost his sight. The group purchased a small farm in Rochester Hills, Michigan, for $1 plus the mortgage, later expanding it to the current 14-acre campus.

The first class graduated in October 1939 at a cost of $600 per client-dog team, with $150 initially paid by the client. Client payments ended in 1958 to provide services at no cost to clients. In 1991, Leader Dog started the first-ever guide dog program for people who are Deaf or Blind. By 2002, we had piloted our orientation & mobility (O&M) program, making us the first guide dog organization to offer O&M instruction. And in 2024, our team introduced Spanish language instruction to Spanish-speaking clients in the United States and Canada.

It is wonderful to hear about the incredible work Kathleen Davis (Board of Directors member of Therapaws of Michigan) and her dogs are doing! With April being National Therapy Dog Month, it is the perfect time to celebrate "The Girls" and their impact across Southeast Michigan.
Here is a bit more about the meaningful work their specific programs provide:
C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital: Maggie and Bailey lovingly participate in the Therapaws program there, helping reduce anxiety for pediatric patients and providing a much-needed "paws" from the hospital environment .
Chelsea Hospital Rehabilitation: In rehab settings, therapy dogs help patients reach physical therapy goals, such as extending their range of motion to reach out and pet a dog.
DTW Airport (Comfort Dogs): They help stressed travelers navigate the "ruff" parts of flying. These teams are famous for lowering blood pressure and spreading smiles in busy terminals.
Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces: This is a truly special role, supporting veterans, active-duty members, and their families during recovery or stressful transitions .
Eleven-year-old Maggie is a seasoned pro, while 3-year-old Bailey (granddaughter of Maggie) is carrying on a beautiful family legacy. Thank you to them for sharing their story—they are clearly making the world a kinder place, one wag at a time!

National Hug Your Dog Day: April 10th is a special day for dog parents and dog lovers to give an extra big hug to the dogs in their lives. Share cute photos of your beloved pups being hugged! Be sure to be gentle and give space when meeting unfamiliar dogs in public.