Guiding Eyes for the Blind's Richmond chapter is seeking volunteer pet-raisers to assist with the program, which provides trained dogs to blind and visually impaired citizens.

On Nov. 13, the local chapter and members of the University of Richmond's Delta Gamma sorority (which supports the program) greeted shoppers at Whole Foods in Short Pump with Vera, a four-month-old yellow lab who is being trained through the program.

In the Richmond region, there are currently 15 puppies being raised by families. Many of those who participate are drawn to the program because they love dogs and are interested in helping others.

Guiding Eyes, based in New York, is a nonprofit program. For details, visit http://www.gebrichmond.com www.g,uidingeyes.org/volunteer/puppy-raising/ or call Richmond Regional coordinator Cathy Foldesi at 285-7931.