ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., April 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Leader Dogs for the Blind (Leader Dog) today publically announced a $14.5 million renovation to upgrade their kennel into a state-of-the-art Canine Development Center located in Rochester Hills, Michigan. To date $12.3 million has been raised and Leader Dog now seeks to raise the final $2.2 million to complete the project.

The Canine Center's extraordinary design will accommodate a greater number of dogs in a living environment that reduces stress, promotes learning, increases socialization opportunities and supports the overall health of the dogs, among other benefits.

Announced in celebration of International Guide Dog Day, the Canine Center is the largest fundraising campaign undertaken since Leader Dog was founded in 1939. The organization empowers people who are blind or visually impaired with lifelong skills for safe and independent daily travel, training over 200 client/dog teams annually.

The nearly 75,000 square foot facility will better prepare dogs for their life-changing and life-saving work. The Canine Center will provide 255 suites, which are two and a half times larger than current suites. It also includes an upgraded veterinary clinic, separate male and female breeding suites, and indoor/outdoor puppy enrichment areas.

"The Canine Development Center represents the best standard for 'ready to learn' dogs with open concept housing and training areas that allow the dogs to interact more with each other, our staff and volunteers," said Sue Daniels, president and CEO of Leader Dog. "Every dollar matters as we enter the most critical part of the campaign to engage individual donors to fully fund this much needed Canine Center."

Construction of the Canine Center will be completed in 2016. For more information about the Canine Development Center, to make a donation or to learn about pledge and naming opportunities, please visit www.leaderdog.org/canine-center.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: Photos, architectural renderings and interviews are available upon request.)

About Leader Dogs for the Blind

Rochester Hills, Mich.-based Leader Dogs for the Blind is a nonprofit organization that has been providing independent daily travel to people who are blind through the use of Leader Dogs since its founding in 1939. Over the years, Leader Dogs for the Blind has provided independent mobility to more than 14,500 individuals. The services of the organization are provided free of charge. The organization also provides training for orientation and mobility, pedestrian GPS and a summer camp for teens. For more information on Leader Dogs for the Blind, call (888) 777-5332 or visit www.leaderdog.org.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150428/212326

SOURCE Leader Dogs for the Blind

Related Links

http://www.leaderdog.org