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Thornton & Grooms Supports Leader Dogs for the Blind with Donation

Farmington Hills, MI (December 14, 2011) –Thornton & Grooms, a local plumbing, heating and cooling company, donated $1,000 to Leader Dogs for the Blind on December 13  to support the charity’s work in providing leader dogs and training at no charge to blind and visually impaired teens and adults.

Dave Knight, owner of Thornton & Grooms, said of the gift, “We couldn’t think of a better way to exemplify the season of giving.  To us, we’re not giving money; we’re giving the gift of independence and the freedom to explore the world.”

Leader Dog was founded in 1939 and has grown to become one of the top organizations of its kind.  Their facilities in Rochester Hills can house up to 24 students at a time in a home-like environment with staff on hand around the clock to assist.  They also boast a kennel, veterinary clinic, and training center. They are the only facility in the western hemisphere to teach deaf-blind individuals to work with guide dogs.

“There are so many incredible things about this organization,” states Knight. “Close to 300 individuals come to the center every year and stay for 26 days to be paired with a guide dog.  Leader Dogs provides transportation to and from the facility, room and board, training and the dog…all at no cost. And since they receive no government funding, they rely on donations and endowments.  We’re happy to help them further their mission.”

For more information on Leader Dogs for the Blind and how to help, visit www.leaderdog.org.