Clarkston / Waterford / White Lake puppy raisers

We are the puppy raisers and breeding stock host families in the Clarkston, Waterford and White Lake area.  The size of our group fluctuates as puppies start their training at 7 weeks and then return to Leader Dog after they reach an age of 12- 15 months.   Our group includes families who are raising their first pup, to one raiser who has raised 30+!   Our fundraising request is the same; contribute what you can and no amount is too small.

All of us have started this journey of raising a puppy for many different reasons, but in the end we all have one goal, to change someone’s life.  As the person responsible for this cute fur ball, which matures into a beautiful animal, we want the best possible thing for them.  Leader Dog too wants the best possible guide dog working for its client.

To this end we are in the process of totally rethinking the way the dogs are housed while they are in training on the campus in Rochester Hills.  This is why we need your help so we can create a new environment of learning.

The Canine Development Center also includes a new veterinary clinic, breeding area, puppy development area, welcome center and volunteer areas. The best possible environment has been designed to allow a future Leader Dog to depart this campus and guide a person who is blind in downtown Madrid to Taiwan and all the places in between.  With the single command of 'forward' hundreds of people nationwide are prompting their Leader Dog to lead them forward and out into the world- and all of this begins in the Canine Development Center.

Since Leader Dogs for the Blind is a 501(c)3 organization, your donation is 100% tax deductible to the extent provided by law.  Additionally, you can mail a check to Leader Dog 1039 S. Rochester Rd. Rochester Hills, MI 48307-3115. Please include a note for your donation to go to the Clarkston/Waterford/White Lake team.

We will be holding events in the future and kindly ask you to attend and share them with your family and friends.  For more information on our team please contact Glenn Rossow 248.302.4593 or  G_Rossow@hotmail.com

Thank you in advance for your generous support.

For more information on the new Canine Development Center, please see the photo gallery and video below!

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Welcome to the new Canine Development Center!
Welcome to the new Canine Development Center!

From the moment you arrive, you will see the Canine Development Center is designed to be the ideal environment. View these images to see the main changes during this project and discover the huge impact it will have on our dogs and clients.

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Expanded Puppy Area
Expanded Puppy Area

The journey to becoming a Leader Dog starts at birth, which means the Canine Development Center was developed with our breeding stock and puppies in mind. Improvements include: A breeding area featuring separate housing for males and females, allowing them to remain relaxed prior to breeding. Also, there will be separation between puppies and breeding stock dogs, offering a more peaceful environment that helps protect young immune systems. They layout also allows for increased socialization and supervision and adjacent daytime and nighttime spaces to reduce the need to move puppies throughout the day (previously, puppies had to be carted to and from a converted garage).

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New Centralized Veterinary Clinic
New Centralized Veterinary Clinic

Our esteemed team of veterinarians has the responsibility of caring for each and every one of our dogs. Every dog that enters this facility must be seen and monitored at the on-site veterinary clinic. As our operations have expanded and evolved, so has the need for an advanced, centrally located veterinary clinic so our veterinarians can give our future Leader Dogs the best care possible. With 35% more space, the clinic will allow us to add new and enhanced technology. Also, included is defined areas for X-ray, surgery, post-surgery recovery and endoscopic procedures to help with work flow.

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The New Canine Suites
The New Canine Suites

The new canine suites are 2.5 times larger!

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Open Housing Villages
Open Housing Villages

At times the kennel environment can be stressful. To ease this stress, we redesigned our housing bays with an open concept that allows for ample stimulation and interaction. This includes suites that have open sight lines for every single dog. Plus, the 255 suites are 2.5 times larger than the current suites. Since we know dogs like to be around other dogs, up to 60% of the suites allow for cohabitation. It will also include a large, open area where the dogs can spend time with our volunteers and staff, allowing for even more human-dog interaction.

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Canine Development Center Video

Our Team

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Our Supporters

  • Susan Elinsky June 2019 $50.00
  • Ginger Rossow August 2018 $300.00
  • Fork n pint August 2018 $175.00
  • Ginger Rossow June 2018 $430.00
  • Milford main street grill June 2018 $250.00
  • Lisa and Howard O'Brien April 2017 $33,100.00
  • Lisa & Howard O'Brien December 2017 $8,903.00
  • Anonymous August 2015 $5,190.00
  • LISA O'BRIEN February 2016 $5,000.00
  • LISA O'BRIEN Thank you all the Wendy's customers who donated to make a difference for the visually impaired. January 2016 $2,800.00