Vashon High School was recently converted into a puppy training center as 70 dogs and 150 trainers from across the state came to the island for a day of training, learning, camaraderie, and hands on experience.

The event was organized by the students of the Vashon Island School District’s Guide Dog Club. Students in the club conceived of and set up multiple training stations in rooms and common areas throughout the high school to provide the opportunity for the puppies to be trained in different activities and in different environments.

VHS freshman Willa Lee, who has been involved with the Guide Dog Program since sixth grade, emphasized the value of the annual event for both the dogs and their handlers.

“The puppies get to practice being in a big environment around other dogs with all these new smells and new people,” said Lee. “It provides a great training environment with a lot of distractions for the dogs to work through and learn from.”

The Guide Dog Club receives the puppies at eight weeks and trains them until they are 14 months old and depart to the guide dog school for formal training, eventually making their way to a vision impaired person somewhere across the country.

Lee’s first puppy, Strawberry, currently lives in Pennsylvania. Now on her fourth puppy, she enjoyed the opportunity to meet fellow handlers from across the state and see everyone working towards the same purpose.

“We all have that common denominator of how many puppies we’ve raised,” said Lee. “Sometimes we meet the siblings of our dogs and that is a really special feeling.”

The Vashon Guide Dog Club is distinctive in the state thanks to its student-led approach, noted Char Phillips, the faculty advisor to the Guide Dog Club. Most guide dog clubs are adult handlers, and the Vashon club is one of the largest school-based programs in the state. Currently, 35 McMurray students and 14 VHS students are raising nine puppies.

“By organizing this event, our students are giving to a different aspect of this community service,” said Phillips. “Most times, we go to events and receive training. This time, they are the workers, designing the activities and training.”

As the event wrapped up, each participant left with a gift sponsored by Heidi Grimsley and Pandora’s Box. Most importantly, a renewed sense of community and appreciation for the vital role these handlers play in preparing future guide dogs to serve those who need them.

“It is rewarding to see your dog go on to do what they are meant to do,” said Lee. “It is incredibly hard to say goodbye to them, but knowing where they are going makes it all worth it.”