Sandi Alsworth has been a leader for four years.  She is a highly skilled, committed individual who has been involved with guide dog puppy raising for ten years and, who in addition to raising guide dog puppies, runs her own dog obedience business.   Sandi has raised for two other Guide Dog organizations, but says that Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. provides unprecedented support of the their Puppy Raisers.  She says, "Raising guide dog puppies has been a dream of mine since 4th grade, when I read the book Follow My Leader."  She feels very fortunate to to be able to have achieved her dream, and to help the raisers of the Phoenix area raise successful, happy and confident puppies

Lynn Clinton Van Patter is in her second year as a Puppy Raising Leader, but has been very active since coming to the organization.  She is currently raising her fourth guide dog puppy, Jamila.  Although Lynn has only been with the Phoenix Guide Dog Raisers, Inc. for a short time, she has grown up with dogs in the house and is experienced training dogs.  Lynn says that her interest in raising a guide dog puppy goes back to when she was young and saw a Disney move called Atta Girl, Kelly about a young boy raising a puppy for the Seeing Eye.  After careful research about "puppy raising" and contacting various organizations, her choice was made easy when she discovered the degree to which puppy raisers are supported by Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc.

Roxanne Halvorson, our third leader, is a three year veteran in the role of Puppy Raising Leader and a proud raiser of two working guide dogs.  Currently raising her fifth guide dog puppy, Roxanne began her affiliation with Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. five years ago by adopting her German Shepherd career change dog Ramone.  In addition to sharing dog handling skills with fellow raisers, Roxanne is continually expanding her knowledge of dog behaviors and handling techniques through study with professional dog trainers in other dog organizations.  Roxanne and Ramone are also an active Certified Therapy Dog team at a local hospital.