Warriors All-Star Guard Klay Thompson tonight met the latest guide dog puppy in training from Guide Dogs for the Blind who is named after the Warriors shooting guard. Klay, the dog, is an eight-week-old male yellow Labrador Retriever who met Klay Thompson for the first time tonight following the Warriors Open Practice at Oracle Arena. Klay and Klay tonight also met the puppy raising volunteers and huge Warriors fans, Joelle Cook and family, from Livermore, Calif., who will care for Klay the puppy and raise him through the puppy training process until he is available for formal guide dog training. Klay Thompson also has a love for dogs and is the proud owner of an English bulldog named Rocco.
“I love dogs and it is amazing to see how through the Guide Dogs for the Blind program they can really help change and save lives,” said Warriors Guard Klay Thompson. “Rocco is one of my best friends and I truly understand the relationship dogs and people can have and am honored Guide Dogs for the Blind chose to name their latest puppy after me.”
Guide Dogs for the Blind is a free, industry-leading guide dog school passionate about serving the visually impaired. With exceptional client services and a robust network of trainers, puppy raisers, donors, and volunteers, Guide Dogs for the Blind prepares highly qualified guide dogs to serve and empower individuals who are blind or have low vision.
Puppy raising volunteers raise puppies from age eight weeks to 15-17 months, when they can enter formal guide dog training. During this time, families are responsible for providing their puppies with a well-rounded, nurturing environment. Klay’s puppy raiser, Joelle, has been raising puppies for over 20 years through the Guide Dogs for the Blind organization.
About Guide Dogs for the Blind
Guide Dogs for the Blind is more than an industry-leading guide dog school; we are a passionate community that serves the visually impaired. With exceptional client services and a robust network of trainers, puppy raisers, donors, and volunteers, we prepare highly qualified guide dogs to serve and empower individuals who are blind or have low vision. All of our services are provided free of charge; we receive no government funding. GDB is headquartered in San Rafael, California, with a second campus in Boring, Oregon. More than 14,000 teams have graduated since our founding in 1942, and there are over 2,200 active teams in the field. For more information, visit www.guidedogs.com.