‘Rotary’ to become a veteran’s best friend

By Lori Ruhlman

Skaneateles Rotary

Sometime this spring, a black Labrador Retriever puppy will join the ranks of dogs on sidewalks and in the parks of Skaneateles.

“Rotary,” as he is named, will spend much of 2020 here while being trained to become a service dog to a veteran through the Clear Path for Veterans Puppy Development Program, based in Chittenango.

“Rotary” will live with and be trained by Mary Giroux, co-president of the Skaneateles Rotary Club.

Giroux, who has raised and trained 12 puppies through various programs, spearheaded the Rotary Club’s fundraising drive to support the training of a puppy for Clear Path.

With Giroux’s guidance, the club put together a multi-club grant with the Skaneateles Sunrise Club as well as clubs in Chittenango, Cazenovia, Fulton, Baldwinsville and Dewitt.

With a match from Rotary District 7150, the Rotary grant totals $11,000 to benefit Clear Path programming.

The canine program raises and trains service dogs which are then provided to qualified veterans at no cost.

According to Clear Path, it can – and does – change lives.

Giroux recently fostered a dog named Glory for about nine months, and now has Otis, who is 13 months old.

Otis will go back to Clear Path this spring and then Giroux will get young Rotary.

She enjoys fostering and training puppies, who adapt well with her grown dog, Lucy.

Is it difficult to say goodbye?

The first time it was hard, Giroux said, but not anymore.

“It is not heartbreaking because you know the deal going into it,” she said. “You love the dogs, but you know they are going to make someone else’s life better.”

Giroux has enjoyed working with Casey Eberhardt, the new coordinator of the Puppy Development Program.

Eberhardt is the granddaughter of Skaneateles’ Bill Eberhardt.

The young Eberhardt joined the Clear Path staff after graduating from Canisius College in Buffalo with a degree in animal behavior, ecology and conservation, one of the first degree programs in the nation to formally tie the study of animals to ethical considerations.

The child of a U.S. Army Veteran, Eberhardt was born in Fort Benning, Ga., and lived in the United Kingdom while her father served on active duty.

One element of her new role is residing in Clear Path’s “Puppy Development Center” to provide round-the-clock care for the program’s puppies.

Accompanying her is Daphne, her soon-to-be 14-year-old Labrador Retriever.

“She loves the new house and will help me with the puppies,” Eberhardt said.

The Puppy Development Program is designed to raise and train canines for a period of up to 24 months prior to being placed with a selected Veteran.

During their 18-month training cycle, the canines learn the skills to become service dogs. Each puppy is carefully selected for health, temperament, and trainability prior to being selected for this “career.”

Recently, Clear Path set up a pen full of puppies in the lobby of the Sherwood Inn.

The purpose, said Giroux, was to raise awareness of the program.

“Rotary” has three siblings:  Faith, Granger and Rosie.

All four are undergoing extensive training and socialization.

Before obtaining five more puppies in April, Clear Path for Veterans will recruit additional fosters like Giroux, who want to give back to their community and to veterans.

To learn more about Clear Path for veterans, visit their website at: clearpath4vets.com or contact the Canine Program at Clear Path for Veterans at [email protected] or 315-687-3300.

Clear Path for Veterans, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is Upstate New York’s archetype Veteran Service Organization serving as a hub of information, programs and resources. The welcoming community of staff and volunteers serves all Veterans and their families. Clear Path’s focus is on restoring, reconnecting and integrating.