Lenny McHugh is thankful for the four guide dogs he has received for free from Freedom Guide Dogs.
He wants to show his thanks by having a magic show at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Majestic Theater, 209 N. Centre St, Pottsville. Some of the proceeds will benefit Freedom Guide Dogs. Cost to attend is $8 per person. He has 27 different tricks he is going to perform for the audience. Family members and friends will accompany him.
Freedom Guide Dogs is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Cassville, New York, and gives dogs to those who are visually impaired or blind. An application is required. The company has given away about 400 dogs to those who qualify since its founding in 1992, Eric O. Loori, director and founder of Freedom Guide Dogs, said. About $25,000 is invested in each dog with training and other associated costs from birth to retirement, Loori said. Funds come from donations, service clubs and grants.
A blind magician, McHugh uses his guide dog to get around. Before an accident years ago, he did not need one, he said. A neck surgery he had to rectify bone spurs had complications, he said.
On Monday, McHugh, 69, received a new male guide dog named Otter, a 2-year-old black Labrador retriever, after Toga, a 10-year-old female black Labrador retriever, retired April 30. Toga, a dog he had since 2009, was occasionally having trouble focusing, which can cause a safety concern for McHugh. Toga found a new home near Philadelphia with a veterinary ophthalmologist.
“Health wise she is in great shape,” he said.
Otter took the time to just be a dog Tuesday as he rolled around on the floor and wanted belly rubs from McHugh before getting serious and going out with McHugh for a walk. Otter was born Dec. 27, 2013. He spent 1 1/2 years being a puppy and socializing with others before he spent four to five months with a guide dog mobility instructor. Otter learned about obstacles his owner will encounter by physically going out about town and even doing an obstacle course. The dogs are rewarded with positive reinforcement for a job well done, Loori said. Before he was placed with McHugh, he had to wear a blindfold and navigate various obstacles. Otter was chosen for McHugh because of his personality.
“He’s very easygoing and laid-back,” Loori said.
McHugh said he is bonding well with his new dog.
“He has the fattest tongue in town,” McHugh said of Otter, who had given him kisses since he arrived at his new home.
Sometimes people want to pet guide dogs, which is not advisable.
“Never pet one (a guide dog) while they are in harness and don’t talk to them,” McHugh said, because the dogs can be distracted.
McHugh does not let the fact he can’t see stop him from performing magic. Otter will not perform magic tricks with McHugh, but will be in attendance.
There is hope for those who have visual impairments, McHugh said.
“If I can do this, imagine what you can do,” he said April 27.
Karen McHugh, Lenny’s wife, said the former guide dogs, Indy, Micah, Toga and now Otter, have helped him to continue his independence.
“He was very confident with the cane and now he is very confident with the dog,” she said.
She still worries about his safety — not because of the dogs but because she loves him.
To learn more about Freedom Guide Dogs, visit www.freedomguidedogs.org or call 315-822-5132.