Will Guide Dog K9 Buddy Natura Win the Hero Dog Awards?

It's been a year since Zach Thibodeaux, a 9-year-old third-grader, was diagnosed with cone-rod dystrophy, an incurable disease rapidly taking his vision. Natura, a K9 Buddy dog from Guide Dogs for the Blind, based in San Rafael, California, became a part of Zach’s life on New Year's Day.

A K9 Buddy provides children who are visually impaired with canine companions.It teaches them the responsibility of having a dog, so when it’s time to receive a guide dog they know how to care for and live with a dog.

Zach is learning to be in charge of Natura’s behavior and well-being. He attends classes with the local Texas puppy raising club to keep up Natura's commands, and learn skills that will benefit him in the future with an actual working guide dog.

Natura was on her way toward becoming a Guide Dog, but couldn't handle public transportation, so she was then placed in the K9 Buddy program. Due to the transportation issue, we were afraid that the the flights she’d have to take from Northern California to Dallas would be terrifying for her, so volunteers drove her all the way from San Francisco to Dallas in time for a surprise presentation to Zach on New Year's Day. Zach and Natura have bonded beautifully and have become a wonderful part of the Lone Star Puppy Raising Club.

Read more about Natura by following all the stories on the K9 Buddy Train!




Will Guide Dog K9 Buddy Natura win the Hero Dog Awards? Only if you vote! You can vote once a day, and be sure to spread the word!

Newshounds: Guide Dogs for the Blind in the News!

Lorrie and Sully Sullenberger with Twinkle

Come Fly with Us! Captain and Lorrie Sullenberger help raise funds for GDB veterinary care.

Zach and Natura in the news again! If you've been following the K9 Buddy Train story on our blog, here's the latest video update! Also, get the ebook Zach's Journey.

We're on DogChannel.com!

GDB's Groundbreaking event for our new student residence: Marin Independent Journal,Marinscope newspapers , SFGate, PRWeb

Puppies promenade through San Jose Airport

GDB Career Change Dog honored in S. Oregon

Oregon graduation

Guide Dog training has tails wagging!

Zaffino not quite ready to become a Guide Dog

Todd Harding with Sampson: Life of devotion to others leads to moment in spotlight

Newshounds

GDB CEO Paul Lopez and puppy

GDB Names New CEO and Celebrates Holiday Luncheon.

Training the Perfect Puppy!

GDB Alumnus and 9/11 survivor Michael Hingson shares his "vision" with the world. (He will be the featured speaker at this year's Pinot & Pups in Portland.)

Puppy delivery to Tulare County, California!

Auto relay transports K9 Buddy to Texas boy

College students (future veterinarians) volunteer to raise GDB puppies

Say hello to our new Pirate Puppies! (pg. 3)

El Cerrito Pups tour fire station

Puppy Pilots take on new collars

Polar Vision makes it home safe and sound!

GDB Alumna Lauri Evans assists students

Finding a four-legged companion for a blind dog

Riding that K9 Buddy Train! Part 5

Zach Thibodeaux and his brand new K9 Buddy, Natura, steppin' out


At the end of a very long journey, it was, as Sandi Alsworth said in the following interview, a story about one dog and one boy. One story that touched the hearts of thousands of people. One story that shows what the power of our partnerships can accomplish.

To all of the people who give their time, talent and treasure in support of our mission, we thank you! In celebration of cooperation and generosity, Happy New Year, everyone!

CNN

KTVT-TV (CBS)

We will be posting more photos of Zach and Natura on our Flickr site.

Riding That K9 Buddy Train! Part 4

Three Dog Night: Natura, Friday and Carnival

From Bonnie and Steve Sloane: Our drive [from Calabasas, CA, to Palm Springs, CA] was smooth and easy. After dropping Carnival off at our son's house, we hit the road for Palm Springs.

On the Road Again...(Natura and Friday)

The drive was quick and easy as there was no traffic. Friday and Natura were perfect in the back of our car.

Hey, move over!

They curled up and slept the entire way...not even a peep from either of them.

That's not a "peep" -- it's a yawn...

We made one pit-stop along the way for relieving and a short walk and then arrived at our meeting place (McDonalds off of I-10 freeway) at 11:00.

Natura with Steve Sloane

Randy was there waiting and the pups had a great time meeting his career change dog, Ocho. Again, some water and walking around and at 11:30 Leg 5 began.

Natura with Randy Glover

Friday was quite perplexed--wondering why all her buddies were disappearing. But, we took her for a nice walk and lunch break in Palm Springs before we headed back to Calabasas where we picked up Carnival and returned home.We were amazed at how quickly the day passed. It was such a special day, and yet it's already over. We will remember this experience as a high point of our partnership with Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Steve and Bonnie Sloane with Natura

We wish Natura and Zach the best; we know they'll be great friends. And most of all, how wonderful it is for Natura to have found such a special "forever home!"

Co-pilot and pilot

From Randy Glover (at 2 a.m.): Puppies are asleep, I am not....it really is a dog's life.

You're getting sleepy...very sleepy...

Natura is such a good girl. She and Ocho had the same papa...Tiberon...

Yay, New Mexico!

From Sandi Alsworth: Randy and I left Mesa this am at 7:00.We are currently in Tucson stopping to relieve Natura an will be on our way again shortly. Lone Star State here we come!

From Beth and Dave Adams (Natura's puppy raisers): Woohoo! Can’t wait - Puppy Train! We’re ready and waiting here in Texas! Be Safe! Zach and Natura’s Dream Team – making this happen! You’re all the BEST!

Check out the map to trace Natura's journey! San Rafael, CA --Mountain View -- San Luis Obispo -- Calabasas -- Palm Springs --Mesa, AZ -- Odessa, TX -- Dallas and Lewisville, TX.

Riding That K9 Buddy Train! Part 3

Carnival and Friday join Natura's Big Adventure

From Sandi Alsworth: I received an email from Jack Brey this afternoon prior to “his turn” at the relay. He was at his appointed rendezvous point early because he was too excited to wait! This was accompanied by photos both him with a big grin on his face, and a picture of his car. I had to laugh.

Jack was head over heels waiting with excitement!

From Jack: We met Ursula Grunfeld about 2:30 p.m. and gave Natura a little "out-of-car" time and a little love. We did the photos and journal then got off about 3 p.m.

Unfortunately, we ran into heavy rush hour traffic (I was probably the only one in traffic who was happy) and didn't get to Steve and Bonnie's until about 7.

I wasn't sure of their address and drove by them a couple of times while they were jumping and waving at me. We finally made the connection.

Natura was a gem and slept the whole way except for one potty and water break. Natura fit in with Steve, Bonnie, and their pups right away.

Loved the whole experience. Thank you for letting me help. Tell Zack he's got a great "Buddy" and if he takes care of her she truly will be his best friend.

Bonnie and Steve Sloane wrote: We thought we'd give you an update for the end of Day One. Natura arrived here via Anne, Ursula, and Jack around 7 p.m. She was met and joyfully greeted by Carnival (our 18-month old career change pup) and Friday (our 5-month old puppy-in-training). So our household is now full of active female Lab puppies!!!!! They are learning to get along and are playing together with our toys. Natura ate her dinner with enthusiasm and doesn't seem at all bothered by her long driving trip.

Enough of this driving... a Lab's gotta' EAT!

The "girls" are enjoying this slumber party and we'll have more to tell you tomorrow morning.

This is one of the best New Year's activities we've ever participated in. We are so happy to be part of this and wish Zach and Natura a wonderful time together as Buddies!

Bonnie and Steve

Rise and Shine, Natura... more adventures await...

Riding that K9 Buddy Train! Part 2

Already she's a celebrity! Before our yellow Lab K9 Buddy dog Natura left on the first leg of her journey, she decided to help us tell her tale (with wagging tail) to the world!

Raiser/driver Anne Touloukian drove in all the way from Lincoln, California, (north of Sacramento) to pick up Natura and drive her to Mountain View, California. But they stopped for a moment to talk with KTVU (FOX), and the news segment aired at noon!

Anne also brought Natura a surprise -- her fluffy Golden puppy Flurry -- to keep her company.


We can't wait to hear from Anne and find out what happened along the way. Look at this map of the trip...

Riding that K9 Buddy Train! Part 1

Meet Natura!

This spunky yellow Lab decided not to become a Guide Dog after all -- (she didn't like air travel), so she followed her nose to a new career -- as a K9 Buddy. As luck would have it, she's going to live with a very special young boy -- and just in time!

In recent months, Zach Thibodeaux's eyesight has deteriorated rapidly, the result of a condition called cone-rod dystrophy that will leave him mostly or totally blind. The 9-year-old from Lewisville, Texas, has been preparing for life without vision by learning to walk with a cane. He and his family applied to Guide Dogs for the Blind to get a K9 Buddy dog. Zach is about to be surprised when he soon gets his wish.

So, with Natura ready to become a K9 Buddy, and Zach needing one, the only problem became how to get her to Zach? GDB Community Field Representative Sandi Alsworth hatched a plan to create a “puppy train” of relay drivers (volunteer puppy raisers in several states) to transport the dog by car through each leg of her journey to Zach and his family. Thinking it would be a tough task, especially during the holidays, she was surprised by the outpouring of support from our puppy raising volunteers.

This morning, December 29, Natura started her journey to Zach. She'll arrive to surprise him on Sunday, January 1. Can you keep a secret? If so, we'll continue to bring you updates along the way contributed by members of our GDB Family -- people brought together, as so often happens here, through the shared love of a dog.


What is a K9 Buddy, you may ask? Find out! Watch this video to learn more!