News
Blind CEO Is Raising His Guide Dog Differently With Manhattan as Their Training Ground
September 2, 2026
Lighthouse Guild President & CEO Thomas Panek is training his guide dog Shadow differently than other guide dogs. Shadow, who has been part of Thomas’ family since he was a puppy, was his dog first, and is now using New York City as his training ground to learn to be a guide dog – breaking away from the traditional form of guide dog training typically reserved for suburban, quieter areas. Thomas, like many other blind New Yorkers, has to navigate New York City every day, and relies on Shadow to be able to keep up with the fast-paced and ever-changing landscape of the busiest city in the world.
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