Jonesco plans to train pups to provide assistance for the blind

By Mailan Nguyen

Staff Writer

Raising a new puppy may be difficult, but Costa senior Lexi Rose Jonesco takes the task to a whole new level as she trains dogs that will potentially give more opportunities and change the lives of visually-impaired men and women.

Jonesco is a member of Guide Dogs Of America, or GDA. According to its website, GDA is an organization that raises and trains 200 dogs each year for the blind and visually impaired. Jonesco helps raise puppies and trains them to be guide dogs between the ages of seven weeks and 18 months old.

“It’s an honor to be a part of this organization,” Jonesco said. “Each person involved dedicates their time to train these dogs so that they change someone’s life.”

Jonesco first became involved with GDA in her home state of Ohio when she was 10 years old. After moving to California, she joined the organization again during her junior year.

“I hope to stay involved as much as I can with GDA in my future and possibly raise a dog on my own as an adult,” Jonesco said.

Jonesco said that training the dogs is a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week job that can last up to 18 months, depending on the particular dog.

“It’s always such a good feeling when I’m taking care of the dogs and training them because I’m eventually helping someone and giving them new opportunities,” Jonesco said.

Although Jonesco has not trained any GDA dogs, she has been approved as a puppy raiser. She expects to receive her first GDA puppy in December after several meetings, interviews and inspections, which she will be training for the next year and a half.

“It is a great feeling to provide a blind  or visually impaired individual with a guide dog who will allow their companion to live more independently,” Jonesco said. “It is incredible to see the companions and dogs together.”

Once the dog is between four and six months old, Jonesco plans on bringing the puppy to Costa as part of its training to develop awareness and become comfortable around different people and busy places.

“Bringing the dogs to school makes such a big impact on their training because they become really comfortable around all of the students and learn how to control themselves,” Jonesco said.

To prepare for this, Jonesco brought Enzo, a white labrador retriever that she was dog-sitting, to Costa last  month. Additionally, GDA will be providing her with a handbook with week-by-week instructions on how to properly train the dog.

“I am impressed with their organization,” Lexi’s mother, A.J Jonesco, said. “They train each guide dog to help someone and give them more opportunities and  a loving companion.”