Two teenagers were given “a new leash on life” after being reunited with their guide dogs, who had been undergoing training. The recent reunion was celebrated with a luncheon and walk around Southern Pines, led by the guide dogs themselves.

Mira Foundation USA provided the dogs, the only organization in the U.S. providing guide dogs free of charge to blind children ages 11 through 17. The recipients were 13-year-old Eli Logue and 15-year-old Shaelin Shakespeare.

Eli, whose father is in Special Forces, was reunited with his dog Maple, while Shaelin was reunited with her dog Guirro. The four attended training school together in Canada last year.

“It is an extraordinary reunion,” explained Bonnie Archibald, chief development officer for Mira USA. “What makes their story even more remarkable is that their guide dogs are actually brothers, making this not only a reunion of friends but a family reunion for their canine companions as well.”

Both dogs are Labernese, a cross between Labradors and Bernese Mountain dogs. Archibald says these dogs are ideal because the breed “mixes the Labrador’s qualities of being a hardworking dog with a heart of gold with the Bernese’s great ability to understand and analyze problems arising from complex situations to make a perfect guide dog for a child.”

During training, students are responsible for feeding, walking, grooming, cleaning up after, and managing their dogs. In order to develop and maintain the necessary bond between the child and the guide dog, the child is the only one who takes care of the dog.

The event began with a brunch and presentation at the Southern Pines Train Station, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Mira USA’s office, and concluded with a guided walk through downtown Southern Pines, led by the recipients and their dogs.

The celebrations continued the following day with the annual Mira-cles Happen Gala at the Country Club of North Carolina, a fundraiser supporting the foundation’s mission.

Mira USA fills a critical gap in guide dog accessibility, as most organizations in the U.S. only serve individuals 18 and older, explained Archibald.

By providing youths with guide dogs, Mira “offers young children a major type of support that enhances their life at a time when self-assurance, mobility and independence are particularly important.”

Mira USA relies on donations to provide guide dogs at no cost to recipients. Those interested in supporting the organization or who have questions can visit www.mirausa.org.

Feature photo: Britney Logue (left), Elijah Logue with his guide dog, Maple, Richard Chatham, director of Mira USA, Bonnie Archibald with the Mira ambassador dog, Chopine, Shaelin Shakespeare with her guide dog, Guiro, Stefanie Shakespeare, Mira Board Member Lee Pittman, and Mira Board Chair Tashe Jarusinski. Photos courtesy Mira Foundation USA.

~Written by Sandhills Sentinel Assistant Editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.