Rochester Hills' Leader Dogs Fetch Funds From Annual Carnival

When families flock to the parking lot of Kmart at 1100 S. Rochester Road today for the start of the Rochester Hills Lions Club's 2013 Leader Dog Carnival, the benefits of the charity event will hit close to home.

Most of the funds raised at the carnival, which runs today through May 12, will benefit Leader Dogs for the Blind, located directly across the street from the carnival.

"A big benefit to us is the money raised for us on our behalf," said Rachelle Kniffen of Leader Dogs for the Blind. 

The benefit to leader dogs stems from the organization's long-standing relationship with the Lions Club, which benefits several sight-related charities.

"Our three founders in 1939 were Lions Club members," Kniffen said. "We've literally been supported by them from day one."

Kniffen says Leader Dogs for the Blind receives about 20 percent of its yearly funding from Lions Club chapters from around the world, and the Rochester Hills carnival event boosts local awareness of leader dog programs, in addition to raising funds for the cause. She said the entirety of the group's funding comes from private donations.

The funding helps support programs such as its guide dog program, mobility program and summer youth camp for 16- and 17-year-olds, Kniffen said. 

The guide dogs—about 200 annually—are provided to the visually impaired free of charge, Kniffen said.

Kniffen said being so close to the carnival action sparks some excitement in her office, including from its canine population.

"It's very fun being right across the street (from the carnival)," she said. "The wonderful smell of elephant ears probably has all our dogs in kennels' mouths watering."

The Leader Dog Carnival opens today and runs 4-10:30 p.m. on weekdays, noon-11 p.m. on Saturday and 1-11 p.m. on Sunday.