Lions Past District Governor Dave Roberts, left, Lion Tom Simmons, center, and Lion Allen Fogel with Leader Dog Nelson during a visit tothe club last month. A very special guest attended the meeting of the Midweek Bell Lions Club last month.

Leader Dog Nelson is the guide dog for guest speaker Lion Tom Simmons who spoke about the Leader Dog program. Mr. Simmons is the recipient of several dogs over the past years.

He reported the program was started in 1939 by three Lions in Detroit, Michigan and is now located in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Since 1939 more than 14,500 Dogs were trained for use.

The mission of Leader Dogs for the Blind is to empower people who are blind or visually impaired with lifelong skills for independent travel. This enhances their mobility, independence and quality of life. They also provide guide dog training for people who are deaf. All services are provided free of charge to the client.

Mr. Simmons and Mr. Fogel are each members of the Valley of the Sun Lions Club.

Editor’s Note: Ms. Wagner handles publicity for the Midweek Lions Club.