During these three years, Brinkley, a five year-old black Lab, has guided Larry during a total of 23,000 air miles involving countless airports, as well as visiting all 46 clubs in his district, and dozens of events, conferences, and conventions throughout California, as well as several other states. These trips included visits to Chicago and Kansas City for Larry’s Lions leadership trainings, a trip to Arkansas to tour the Lions World Services for the Blind school, and the Lions International Convention in Toronto where over 16,000 Lions from around the world saw them work as a team.
"Hundreds of Lions members around California have now been exposed to the amazing things that GDB provides," said Larry. "They've helped to change our lives and to make dreams come true. Guide dogs do more than guide, guide dogs help a person to live their dreams."
Having a guide dog since 2002, Larry has been able to travel independently with confidence. Brinkley is Larry’s second guide dog; his first was Galleon from class 621. Galleon also led Larry on flights totaling 22,000 air miles, plus four years of operating a cafeteria in Sacramento, CA. Brinkley was raised by the Bell family of Auburn, CA, who are members of the Placer Paws for Sight puppy raising club; they are now raising their fourth guide dog puppy for GDB.
Larry and his wife Ida share their mountain home in Forest Ranch, CA with Brinkley, three cats, two goats, and 12 chickens. For inquiries, Larry can be emailed at: larrygalleon@gmail.com
