2. Images from as early as the 13 th century exist, proving that people who were blind/visually impaired have been traveling with dogs and canes for a long, long time.

6. Jacob Birrer (Germany) 1840

7. People Germans pre-dated everyone in the dog guide business (WW I). Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe (1800s) - Founder of Perkins School f/t Blind Sir Francis Campbell (1800s)- Teacher @ Perkins who was blind. Informally taught O&M. Emigrated to England and founded the Royal Normal College and Academy of Music for the Blind. W. Hanks Levy (1800s)- Originator of Touch Technique, but was out of step

8. The Seeing Eye First formal mobility training in the U.S. 1929 (Dorothy Harrison Eustis, Morris Frank)

9. More people Dr. Richard Hoover – Former teacher @ Maryland School for the Blind, part of initial War Blind Program @ Valley Forge Army Hospital, originator of the in-step Touch Technique @ Valley Forge Army Hospital (Battle of the Bulge, Dec. 1944 - Jan. 1945. 17 blind soldiers arrived in one day.) People say blind people in this country do a good job of getting around. I dont think they do a good job. I think they do a hell of a poor job. Warren Bledsoe – Son of John Bledsoe ( John studied under Michael Anagnos, who taught Anne Sullivan, & was superintendent of Maryland School for the Blind), also part of initial War Blind Program @ Valley Forge, perfected Hoovers techniques, used the blindfold to train trainers. Russ Williams – Lost his vision after the Normandy invasion, student @ Valley Forge and Avon, instructor at Valley Forge, chief of the program @ the Hines V.A., and father to several techniques we use today, including: Guide Technique, Hines Break, Protective Techniques, use of sound clues, projecting a line of direction, use of Touch Technique all the time (was previously prohibited indoors), diagonal to Touch Technique in the stairwell.

10. Places Valley Forge Army Hospital – site of original War Blind Program. Housed veterans of the European Theatre of war (Hoover, Bledsoe, Williams were all instructors here.) Dibble Army Hospital - same as Valley Forge, served veterans from the Pacific Theatre. Avon Army Hospital - abandoned the cane and taught use of facial vision. Hines V.A. - 1st V. A. Program. Started when Army let go of the War Blind Program.