Seeing Eye in Morris Township names puppy to honor Betty White

The Seeing Eye has come up with a pretty cute 90th birthday gift for actress Betty White.

A black Labrador retriever born in October has been named Betty in honor of the former Golden Girls star, whose involvement with The Seeing Eye dates to a public service announcement she recorded in the 1980s.

Below is the announcement from the guide dog training center in Morris Township. Happy Birthday, Betty!

FROM THE SEEING EYE:

The Seeing Eye Names a Puppy in Honor of Betty White’s 90th Birthday
Golden Girl’s Seeing Eye® Involvement Dates Back to 1980s Radio PSA

MORRISTOWN, N.J. – Betty White’s love and support for animals is well known, however, many may be unaware that her support for The Seeing Eye reaches as far back as the 1980s. In honor of Betty White’s 90th birthday and her contributions on behalf of Seeing Eye® dogs, The Seeing Eye has named a puppy in her honor. “Betty” is a black Labrador retriever who was born on October 2, 2011.
“Betty’s love of animals has always extended to Seeing Eye dogs,” said Seeing Eye President and CEO Jim Kutsch. He has known Betty for several years and serves alongside her as a trustee at another national non-profit. “Over the years, every time I’ve had the opportunity to meet with Betty personally, my own Seeing Eye dog was immediately drawn to her kind and gentle nature. I’m honored to call her my friend and wish her many more very happy birthdays.”

Her advocacy for Seeing Eye® dogs and their handlers began as a voice actor. In the 1970s, she recorded a radio PSA with comedian and singer Stan Freberg about guide dogs users’ right to ride in taxi-cabs with their dogs. Visit https://www.SeeingEye.org/Betty to listen to the radio PSA. Many guide dog users can attest that its message about Seeing Eye dogs’ right to access is still needed today.

She also starred in a video about puppy raising inspiring hundreds of families to raise Seeing Eye® puppies that would grow up to guide people who are blind and visually impaired throughout the United States and Canada. In 1994, White was honored with the Seeing Eye’s Buddy Award, a rare honor that has been reserved for the charity’s most dedicated volunteers. More recently, Betty was a guest of honor at The Seeing Eye’s 75th anniversary gala and has donated her time to the organization’s online fundraising auction each year it has taken place.

Established in 1929, The Seeing Eye provides specially bred and trained dogs to guide people who are blind. Seeing Eye® dog users experience greatly enhanced mobility and independence, allowing them to retain their active lifestyles despite blindness. The Seeing Eye is a philanthropy supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, bequests, and other planned gifts.

The Seeing Eye is a trademarked name and can only be used to describe the dogs bred and trained at the school’s facilities in Morristown, N.J. If you would like more information on The Seeing Eye, please visit the website at www.SeeingEye.org, call (973) 539-4425, or email info@seeingeye.org.

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