“We will all miss this noble hero friend and
soul mate some of us more than others. He was one of a kind.”
On May 31 2002 Leader Dog Tyler passed away.
As his vet wrote in a letter to Leader Dogs for The Blind
this world lost a friend and a hero that will be deeply missed by all.
His accomplishments in this life
if listed one by one would never all fit on this page.
Lions from Pennsylvania to Florida children of all ages
as well as every place in every state we visited
always welcomed Tyler with open arms and warm greetings.
To celebrate the life of our wonderful friend and companion
a Memorial Fund was established with Leader Dogs
for The Blind in Rochester Michigan.
All donations received through this fund went specifically
to the new Student Dormitory that is currently under construction.
Tyler and I graduated from this magnificent school in
1993 class ‘94-03’ and my thoughts on directing
the funds to this use came from my own personal experience.
The ‘student dorm’ is where students and dogs meet in tearful joy
that very first time.
It is where they learn to love and trust one another
as they bond and become no longer
just a dog and a human but one heart and one soul
that is called a ‘working team’.
The old dorm was a very important place for Tyler and me
and I will never forget
the first day my instructor brought Tyler to my room.
I know the new dorm will provide that same first home and
first love for thousands
of future Leader Dog working teams to come.
Tyler will continue to live in the hearts of all that knew him.
And his Memorial Fund will help other students know
the same freedom and independence Tyler so
generously and gently gave to me.
I miss you Sweetheart
| Bonnie |