Folsom Guide Dog Nominated For Award

FOLSOM (CBS13) — A local guide dog is being recognized as a hero and is even up for a national award.

His name is Klinger, he's from Folsom and his family says he's changed their lives.

"When I'm running with Klinger, I'm training just like everybody else!" said Richard Hunter.

Klinger, a 5-year-old German Shepherd, has been with Richard for nearly 3 years. Out of 266 dogs, Klinger is a semifinalist for the Hero Dog Award and in the top 3 in his category of "guide/hearing dog." But to the Hunter family, Klinger is more than a guide dog and a pet, he's a lifeline.

"In all the things that I do, Klinger is always at my side," Hunter said. "He is always ready to serve."

But before Klinger, Richard was in the Marine Corps.

"I had to learn to love to run," he told CBS13.

Richard has a degenerative eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa that's been taking his vision since his 20s.

"I ran into poles, I tripped over things," he said. "But I really had to model for my children that you can still set ambitious goals and be relevant in the face of adversity."

But that didn't stop Richard from competing in triathlons with the help of human guides.

"I thought, 'I wonder if I can qualify for the Boston Marathon?''" he said.

In 2013, Richard was in a serious accident: he was hit by a car while riding his bike along with his human guide. Worried for his safety, his daughter Lindsey had a suggestion.

"'Dad, have you ever thought about getting a guide dog?'" she asked him.

"And I said "Lindsey, I would have gotten a guide dog a long time ago if they had let me run with a guide dog!'" Richard replied.

But no guide dog had ever been trained to run. Until Klinger. He was part of a pilot program with Guiding Eyes for the Blind in New York.

"What makes Klinger unique though out of all the guide dogs is because he was the first guide dog who was certified to be a running companion for a blind athlete," Richard explained.

In the family's eyes, the fact that Klinger was born just 5 weeks before Richard's accident is a sign this pair was meant to be.

"He's a hero to the country because of his success," Richard said. "He's paved the way for other people to also run with their guide dogs. He's a pioneer."

The whole experience has inspired Lindsey to become a guide dog trainer herself. It's just another ripple that started with a dog named Klinger.

"I trust Klinger because I know that he is going to bring my dad home safe," Lindsey said.

Richard says there are runners all over the country who now have guide dogs to help them train.

If you'd like to vote for Klinger for the Hero Dog Award, you have until July 11th. You can vote here.