SMITHTOWN, N.Y. – Imagine if you couldn’t see.

How would you get to work every day? Cross the street safely? Take care of your errands? These are challenges that people who are blind face every day. But with the assistance of a guide dog, those people can live their lives independently and with confidence.

And you could help.

The Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind in Smithtown, New York, is looking for dog lovers in Connecticut who would be willing to help a Labrador or golden retriever puppy pursue an important career. When the dogs, bred and born at the foundation, are 14 months old they begin training as a guide dog … but until then, they need a loving home with people who will teach them good manners and show them how to act around people.

The Puppy Walkers.

Free training assistance and materials are available from the Foundation staff. Veterinary care is provided at no cost. Call the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind at 1-866-282-8046 (or visit www.guidedog.org) to help.