Thomas Panek runs Guiding Eyes for the Blind, which has placed about 1,000 guide dogs over 65 years. They partner with Pilots to Rescue, a nonprofit that flies dogs to match them with visually impaired people. The waiting list is long, and Panek says more partnerships like this one could help close the gap.
Uh, Fenway's gonna go out to, uh—
Michael Schneider here, top dog, founder of Pilots to Rescue. We are at 6,000 feet.
Yeah, Guiding Eyes' mission statement is to provide guide dogs to people with vision loss, and we've been doing that for about 65 years. We have about 1,000 active guide dogs that are working throughout the United States and have a long waiting list of people waiting to get a guide dog to improve their independence and mobility.
We are really super pleased to be able to make that flight today with the help of Pilots to the Rescue. Guiding Eyes for the Blind is so grateful. People who are visually impaired who are receiving these dogs, that are going to be matched with them, are so grateful. It's just two charities coming together, doing good work, and figuring out a way to partner together. We need more of that in humanity, just people finding where are their commonalities and how can they help each other rescue these dogs if it's a shelter dog or provide a service to those service dogs that need to be paired with the person in need.
Michael, you're an impressive pilot. I'm learning a lot. So really, really great organization, Pilots to the Rescue, and see what you're doing not only for organizations like ours but for for animals, keeping them safe and getting them where they need to go. So it's good work. Super pleased to have the partnership and want to thank you. You're welcome.
It's a real pleasure to be working with your organization and to have you on board. And I can't wait to see what this year brings.
