User Profile

This is a community for guide dogs in training in general, but most specifially for the dogs training through the Beacon Foundation
The Beacon Foundation- Objectives:
Provide well-trained service dogs for the blind and vison-impaired.
Provide a training facility and environment with the intention of raising, training, and graduating blink and vision-impaired handler teams.
Provide a media for blind awareness.
Provide orientation and mobility training to the blind and vision-impaired community.
Provide a summer rehabilitation retreat, "Summer Camp", for physically challenged, deaf, blind and vision-impaired youth and young adults.
Promote the works of animal therapy to victims of violent crimes, elderly, and under-priviledged children.
Mission Statement-
The Beacon Foundation, chartered in 2003, to seek independence for the blind and disabled. This mission of independence is one of not only confidence but of self worth. As such, our mission takes place in a three-part stragety to ascertain independence to our clients of whom we adopt as brethren of humanity. WE do this through our dogs, whether they are trained in the arts of guide or merely as companionship. In either case, these animals are our background for the nourishing therapy that is so essential in the rehabilitation process that we strive for.
As mentioned, there is a three-part strategy that we have found to be key in our success. The first part being one of counsel, whether it is of private nature or to speal as a team aiding one another. There is such a power of healing in just listneing. AS such to be able to turn to one of our dogs whose love, devotion, and attention is unconditional. Trustbecomes essnetial in this. And it is earned without prejudice or conviction.
Secondly, is the instruction of the dogs themselves. This is done through a series of exercises that inspire positive reinforcement. As this method of training is essential to not only establish a good working relationship between the dog and handler but it lays the ground for a long lasting relationship that will endure throughout the working relationship.
The final stage of this strategy is to train and maintain as a reference and counsel for the handler. It is one thing to put one's entire trust and ultimately faith in an animal, but it is moreover reassuring that there is always a person there who can aid in the ongoing training and handling to inspire a good team working relationship.
The Beacon Foundation, a non-profit corporation, whish is mission based to provide service dogs (guide dogs) to the blind and vision impaired persons of the US and ultimately the world. Because of the limited number of dog training facilities in the US only a mere 6% of all persons who are blind or vision impaired have such a trained dog to help them in their daily strife's in making a change to society as we know it. What a difference a service dog canmake in that offering independence of mobility to a person with love, support, and confidence. In such we are looking on building a training facility to help meet the needs in Waco, Texas. To do this we need help.
We are looking for corporate and privtte grants as well as donations to aid us in financing such a faciility to continue our mission. Our goal is to riase $436,945.00 to commence building. These funds raised will provide dormitories, kennel facility, and taining fields to graduate teams of service dogs and blind or vision impaired handlers. In the months during the summer the facilities will be used to provide a recreational retreat, "Summer Samp" for blind and other challenged youth. Furthermore, our mission serves to administer to Blind Awareness.
When we look at the vast population of those who are legally blind we find nationall only a mere 6% of the blind population have a guide dog to help them with the everyday strife of life. In Texas, becuase of the location as well as supply and demand the atate population of persons who are legally blind with a service dog is less then 2%, This we find to be very alarming. To aid in increasing this statistic is the reason for our mission to open a facility in the state of Texas. In the raising, veterinarian needs, training, travel exspenses, and follow-up of the teams it is estimated that an investment of between $45,000
and $50,000.00 is spent to make a dog a "Service Animal". Of which, this investment is absorbed by the school as our service dogs are free to our clients. It is for this reason we need your help to be able to provide such as animal for those who are legally blind as most of those who are legally blind budget accordingly with Social Security and are thus unable to afford such an expense to "purchase" a service dog.
We would appreciate any contributions you can make through time, financial, talents, and other donations you may be able to contribute. Please consider helping us in anyway as every amount you can contribute helps.

The Beacon Foundation
P.O. Box 691121
Killeen, Texas 76549

(254) 290-6802
(254) 699-4936