Today is International Guide Dog Day and News 12 is shining a spotlight on Guiding Eyes for the Blind in Yorktown Heights

The organization trains and provides guide dogs for free to people with vision loss.
         
Trainer Deanna Lentini and Mabel, a 2-year-old black Labrador Retriever, stopped by the News 12 studios to talk about how these dogs bring a powerful and meaningful change to the lives of people facing the daily challenges that blindness and vision loss present.

Lentini says the dogs stay learning around 8 weeks old at their training facility in Patterson, New York in Putnam County. The journey from playful pup to professional dog takes up to three years and can cost up to $50,000 annually.

Since 1954, Guiding Eyes has graduated more than 10,000 guide dog teams, relying completely on donations and volunteers. To learn more, click here.