🎙️ Interesting Humans Podcast - Episode 40: Art of Training Seeing Eye Dogs [Behind the Scenes]

Host: Jeff Hopeck
Guest: Jim Kessler, Director of Training for the Seeing Eye, New Jersey
Release Date: February 21, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 40 of the Interesting Humans Podcast, Jeff Hopeck delves deep into the world of guide dog training with Jim Kessler, the Director of Training for the Seeing Eye in New Jersey. Jim's unique journey from Wall Street to training guide dogs offers listeners an inspiring narrative of career transformation driven by passion and purpose.

Guest Background: From Finance to Guiding Paws

Jim Kessler shares his transition from the financial sector to the compassionate field of guide dog training. Coming from a family rooted in corporate accounting and finance, Jim pursued a business major at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. After spending over two decades in the financial services industry, including a stint at the Federal Reserve Bank, Jim felt a yearning for more meaningful work.

Jim Kessler [07:05]: "I was always striving for something more, striving for something that I've always been attracted and interested in teaching."

His pivotal moment occurred in Morristown, New Jersey, where he observed Seeing Eye instructors training dogs. Fascinated by their work, Jim conducted thorough research before joining the organization in 2001—a commitment spanning over 24 years.

The Seeing Eye Organization: Mission and Operations

The Seeing Eye, founded in 1929, stands as the oldest guide dog school in the world. Located in Morristown, New Jersey, it serves individuals across North America, including the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Jim emphasizes the organization's comprehensive approach, from breeding to training and matching dogs with handlers.

Jim Kessler [09:09]: "The one big takeaway was I learned, I think personally, I learned a lot about myself, who I am as a person."

Breeding and Puppy Raising:
The Seeing Eye maintains a state-of-the-art breeding facility in Chester, New Jersey, with a dedicated geneticist ensuring optimal temperament in its dogs. Puppies spend their first seven to eight weeks at the facility before being placed with volunteer puppy raisers—families who nurture and socialize them until they're ready for formal training.

Jim Kessler [14:31]: "We have a full-time geneticist on staff. We breed pretty much 100% of all our dogs to control certain things, predictability, like temperament."

Training Philosophy:
Central to their training is the concept of "intelligent disobedience," where guide dogs learn to override commands that may lead their handlers into danger, such as halting at a traffic light despite being told to move forward.

Jim Kessler [04:29]: "It's called intelligent disobedience. So if you're at a curb and you say forward into the street and a car is right in front of you, the dog will disobey the command saying, it's not safe, I'm not going forward."

Matching Dogs with Handlers: The Art and Science

Matching a guide dog with its handler is both an art and a science. Jim explains the meticulous process that considers the handler's pace, pull, and living environment to ensure compatibility.

Jim Kessler [16:09]: "What's most comfortable to them, the right fit."

The Seeing Eye hosts students on campus for 25 days (18 for retrains) where they undergo rigorous training alongside their dogs. This includes orientation walks, lectures on traffic safety, obedience training, and developing a foundational relationship with their guide dog.

Jim Kessler [55:35]: "A day in the life of a student includes park time, breakfast, morning and afternoon trips, lectures, and evening routines to solidify the bond between dog and handler."

Challenges and Solutions: Navigating the Path Together

Jim candidly discusses the challenges both dogs and handlers face during training and everyday interactions. Common issues include dogs' distractions in high-stimulus environments and handlers' adapting to the responsibility of guiding.

Jim Kessler [30:31]: "Our success rate is about close to 70%, which is a good point for anything."

Consistency emerges as a crucial element in overcoming behavioral challenges. Whether it's managing a dog's pull or ensuring they remain focused during interactions, Jim underscores the importance of a stable and predictable environment.

Jim Kessler [67:22]: "Consistency is key with dogs. Dogs thrive with a consistent environment."

Personal Insights and Heartwarming Stories

Throughout the episode, Jim recounts memorable stories and insights from his extensive experience. One standout tale involves Chad Foster's first day with his guide dog, Sarge, illustrating the profound bond that forms between a handler and their dog.

Jim Kessler [35:06]: "You want to have the dog anchor in a crate or restrict his freedom in a safe way. Tying a dog to an oven door was probably not the wisest choice."

Such anecdotes highlight the delicate balance of trust, training, and mutual respect that defines successful guide dog partnerships.

Advocacy and Supporting the Mission

Jim emphasizes the Seeing Eye's reliance on donations and volunteers to sustain its mission. The organization operates independently of federal or state funding, making philanthropic support essential.

Jim Kessler [65:02]: "We rely on donations. We have over 600 volunteers, primarily puppy raisers, who are the backbone of our program."

Listeners are encouraged to support the Seeing Eye through donations or by volunteering, contributing to the continued success and expansion of guide dog training.

Conclusion: A Rewarding Journey

Jeff Hopeck concludes the episode with heartfelt appreciation for Jim Kessler's dedication and the transformative work of the Seeing Eye. The episode serves as both an informative guide to understanding guide dog training and an inspiring testament to finding purpose beyond traditional career paths.

Jim Kessler [71:39]: "It's the people that drive our organization. Dogs are huge, but it's the people that really, at the end of the day, it's awesome."

Notable Quotes

• Jim Kessler [04:29]: "It's called intelligent disobedience."
• Jim Kessler [16:09]: "We have one instructor assigned to four students—a four to one ratio."
• Jim Kessler [67:22]: "Consistency is key with dogs."
• Jim Kessler [71:39]: "It's the people that drive our organization."

Final Thoughts

Jim Kessler's profound insights into the Seeing Eye's operations shed light on the intricate process of training guide dogs and the unwavering commitment required from both the organization and its volunteers. For listeners inspired by stories of transformation, resilience, and the human-canine bond, this episode offers a compelling glimpse into a life-changing mission.

Support the Seeing Eye:
To contribute to the Seeing Eye's mission or to learn more about volunteering, visit The Seeing Eye's website.

Thank you for tuning into Jeff Hopeck’s Interesting Humans Podcast. Stay tuned for more real-life stories that inspire and inform.