The Edward Smith Mineola Lions Club recently bestowed a great honor upon Presiding Officer Nicolello. A guide dog that was sponsored by the Mineola Lions Club recently “graduated” from the Guide Dog Foundation’s training program (for more information, please see https://www.guidedog.org/). At the request of the Mineola Lions Club, the guide dog was named “Senator,” which is the club’s nickname for Legislator Nicolello, who is the club’s 1st Vice President. Nicolello was very honored.
The guide dogs undergo extensive training, and once their training is complete, provide persons with visual and other impairments the means to retain their mobility and independence. Dogs that do not “graduate” from the guide dog program are re-assigned as service dogs for individuals with various needs. Senator has found a home with Pamela Bilyeu, a hearing impaired woman from Wisconsin.
Shown in photo above: Guide Dog Instructor Daniel McCarthy, Lion Bruce Chester, Guide Dog Field Rep Douglas Wiggin, Pamela Bilyeu, Guide Dog Instructors Mark Briganti and Maria Nuzzi, Legislator Nicolello and Senator.