January 29, 1929

On This Date in TWISTED-HISTORY.com! in 1929 the Seeing Eye Dog Organization formed in Morristown, NJ with the sole purpose of helping blind and sight-impaired people to regain much of their independence with the help of trained dogs. Both dogs and their handlers would undergo intensive training to utilize the most benefit from their partnership. It has to be noted that the first attempt to bring help to the blind was not with dogs, but with cats and was called the Seeing Eye Cat Organization. This early attempt was an utter failure as it was quickly learned that cats could not be trained to the leash and that they would lead their humans into walls, curbs, and traffic as a sick joke. Also, it appears that cats thought the object of being on a leash was to quickly run around the legs of the handlers, thereby tying their legs together and causing them to fall to the ground, where the cats would then sit on the humans’ chests and demand to be fed.

About Joel Byers

Born in North Georgia and educated at some very fine public institutions. Real education started after graduating from college and then getting married and raising two boys. Has the ability to see the funny and absurd in most things and will always remark on it, even if it means getting the stink-eye from his victims.
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