TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A Tallahassee man is gaining his independence, thanks to a guide dog program, and his new partner.
Mackenzie King has several vision impairments, including night blindness, making it difficult to get around when the sun goes down.
He recently completed three weeks of training with the Guiding Eyes for the Blind program in New York, where he graduated from the program, and adopted his new guide dog, Felix, provided to him at no cost by the non-profit organization.
Now, back in town, Mackenzie says with Felix by his side, he plans to follow his passion and start his own business of flipping houses.
Mackenzie credits Felix with keeping him safe, allowing him to navigate the streets of Tallahassee much better than with a white cane.
"Dealing with traffic, having him works, makes mobility and independence a lot better than a cane does because I get around a lot faster, a lot better, and he keeps an eye out as far as my oncoming traffic, so if I can't see it, he can," said King.
Felix will turn 2-years-old on Monday.
Mackenzie says he's not quite sure what he's going to do to celebrate, but hopes Felix can relax and spend the day, just being a dog.
For more information on the Guiding Eyes for the Blind program, click here.
