Mandy is an active young woman.
She goes to school like other people her age.
She is studying music.
But Mandy is special in one way.
Everywhere she goes, her best friend Henry leads her.
Mandy is blind and Henry is her guide dog.
Mandy and Henry do everything together.
Not all dogs can become guide dogs.
Guide dogs have to be smart.
They also have to be faithful to their owners.
German shepherds, golden retrievers, and Labradors like Henry make good guide dogs.
Guide dogs start their training at a very young age.
About seven or eight weeks after a puppy is born, it moves in with a family.
These families are called puppy raisers.
They volunteer to raise the puppy for one year.
It is important for guide dogs to feel safe and to have lots of love.
They must learn to get along with other people.
They must learn to get along with other animals.
Henry's first family was the Martins.
The Martins had two little girls.
Their names were Anna and Mimi.
They loved Henry very much.
At night, Henry slept with Anna and Mimi.
It is important for guide dogs to sleep inside the house.
The Martins took care of Henry and loved him as part of their family.
After one year, it was time for Henry to return to the school.
Henry began his special training.
He learned how to obey commands. "Sit!"
"Come here!" He learned to wait for the traffic light to change.
Henry was almost ready to be a guide dog.
First, he and Mandy received training together.
Mandy learned to give Henry orders and how to take care of him.
Henry learned to love and trust his new owner.
Mandy walked with Henry to her school.
Then they walked back home.
Before long, Henry knew how to get to school and back by himself.
Henry makes sure that Mandy is safe wherever she goes.
Henry is happy to take care of Mandy. "Thanks, Henry."
Even at home, Mandy and Henry spend every moment together.
Mandy likes to play the piano.
And Henry likes to sing along!
Mandy does not feel less able because she is blind.
She feels special because she has Henry.
Not only is Henry her guide dog, he is her best friend.