After the incident, Cecil Williams was hospitalized, but Orlando remained faithful by his side. Cecil was on track to receive a new working dog in the coming months, intended to replace his 11-year-old black lab. However, in light of Orlando’s heroic act, Cecil is now considering the possibility of having a working dog and a retired dog, if circumstances allow.
On the other hand, the family that had raised Orlando as a pet has expressed their willingness to take him back in if Cecil decides otherwise. Guiding Eyes for the Blind, the group responsible for training and providing working dogs, offers these dogs for free, but faces limitations in covering expenses for retired dogs.
After an interview and a series of photographs published by The Associated Press that vividly showed the unbreakable bond between Cecil and Orlando, St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center received an outpouring of offers of financial support and support from well-wishers. Guiding Eyes for the Blind stepped in to oversee these inquiries, given its expertise in information dog issues.
For Cecil Williams, the path forward is fraught with difficult decisions, compounded by his current circumstances and emotional state. If he decides to care for 2 dogs, monetary support for the care of the retired Labrador will be important.
The group is actively creating a fund to provide aid, details of which will soon be available on their website. Any surplus funds, should Cecil not need them, will be redirected to help other guide dogs in need.
