Raising guide dogs for the blind

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY)- For over two decades, Carlos Necochea was a correctional officer at Calipatria State Prison.

But then a diagnosis no one wants to receive.

"I was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa something known as RP and it's something that I've been battling for a while now," said Necochea.

The disease forced him into early retirement.

"It starts by walking into dark places or at night. You have a harder time seeing around you at night. And then eventually it progresses to the day time. And your provisional vision, you'll lose it. And it's horrible. Just terrible disease."

At first, Necochea was afraid to leave his home. Fearing he'd be run over or wouldn't be able to navigate his way around his own neighborhood.

"There's no treatment. There's no medication to slow it down. It's just one of those things. Some people it progresses real fast. And others like me, I was fortunate enough that it was a slow process."

But it's thanks to his guide dog Donnie, that he's been able to take this disease head-on.

"And it's been an awesome relationship. We have become one. It's like he has totally opened a new world for me."

Almost two years ago, students at Southwest High School began a program raising guide dogs.

Kristin Mayo, the agriculture teacher at Southwest High School said, "We raise guide dog puppies and give them all their basic obedience training. So that they can go off and have formal training for guide dogs for the blind in San Rafael. And become service dogs for people with visual impairment."

The program is part of the curriculum for students in the school's Future Farmers of America group.

"We start with 8 weeks of preparation before they ever have their own guide dog. And that includes understanding the difference in when puppies first come on to campus. And how the training necessities as far as having a brand new baby. And being able to manage that puppy through the night, through crying. Still wake up on time to get to school in the morning."

Amber Valencia, one of the students in the group said not only does the program teaches students about responsibility but helps them build a bond with their new furry friend.

"She becomes part of you in your daily routines. Not having her throughout the day it feels a little weird for me. Like there's something missing there."

Jessica Rodriguez, another student in the group said its helped her go beyond their comfort zone.

"I've learned that I could do a lot more than I thought I could do. I've gotten out of my shell lately. And I've been able to do more stuff."

Isabella Dickerson, who's been part of the group from the beginning said students raise the pups for 15 months and sometimes it's not easy letting them go.

"You know it was going to help them live. It was going to help them do everyday tasks that I'm able to do by myself. So if I can help someone by raising a dog, love every day, it was rewarding."

Once every few months Devin Warner, a supervisor from Guide Dogs From The Blind, visits the students to ensure the puppies are trained properly.

"I'm making sure that they are confident in their environment. So they're not afraid of anything. That they are manageable. So that they are easy to handle by the students."

While school officials continue to support the program.

"Teachers are really forgiving and really, really forgiving and letting those students that do handle puppies to be able to come into class maybe at one or two minutes later to go drop off their puppies in our kennels. Or to go out and to do their business. And also there's an advisory period. And they allow students to come here every day for their advisory period so that we can give them that one on one attention with their puppies," said Agriculture Teacher, Shanna Abatti-Fitzurka.

Necochea added that it's thanks to programs like Guide Dogs for the Blind, that the visually impaired are no longer afraid of the dark.

"I've already come to grips with the blindness. And now that I acquired Donnie, it's like bring it on. I have something for you blindness. I have Donnie here. He will be my companion. He will be there for me."