About Guiding Paws ICT
The mission of Guiding Paws is to raise awareness in the community about the blind and low vision.
The independence and freedom our founder, Andrew Crane, gained through working with a guide dog led him to found Guiding Paws ICT, a 501c3 nonprofit. He operates Guiding Paws with a team of dedicated Board members.
Since it takes approximately $50,000 to breed, raise and train a guide dog, there’s much work to be done in the quest to help others get the dog they need.
Meet Andrew Crane
A fixture in downtown Wichita, Andrew Crane is on a tireless journey to raise awareness and funds to improve our community and advance the cause of sight-impaired citizens everywhere.
Born blind and with Cerebral Palsy, Andrew credits his first guide dog, Orzo, with enabling him to become active and independent. Andrew travels on city buses, works at a local business, and volunteers in the community. He also provides inspirational presentations at schools, businesses, community meetings and other events to educate people about guide dogs, public transportation, and other issues important to the blind community.
His passion is to help those who are blind or have low vision find the same independence and freedom he gained through working with a guide dog.
Andrew is a truly special and unique individual. With a personality larger than life, a smile big enough to brighten any room, and a genuine passion and enthusiasm for people, he creates a first impression that’s never forgotten.
The emotional story of Andrew’s first guide dog
As a blind person who has lived and worked in Wichita his entire life, his unique perspective has allowed him to become an ambassador for the blind and low vision community. In a short amount of time, Andrew has built relationships with and gained the respect of key individuals in city government, as well as national organizations such as Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Aira, the National Federation of the Blind, the ACB, and other groups.
Andrew knows first-hand the frustrations and obstacles blind individuals face each day. He is also fortunate enough to know exactly how much a guide dog can improve the quality of life for low vision individuals.
A guide dog.
Andrew’s most trusted friend, companion, and perhaps the BEST ambassador for our cause! Vaughn, now retired, went through highly specialized and lengthy training to become a reliable and integral part of Andrew’s daily routine.
Andrew & his father Dave at the 2024 NFB National Convention
While Vaughn may look like an ordinary dog, he’s SO much more! Vaughn helped Andrew navigate sidewalks and busy streets, building interiors, and even assisted him at work. Without Vaughn’s help, Andrew would have a very different daily life.
Vaughn was Andrew’s second guide dog, and he helped Andrew carry out the dream that was inspired by Andrew’s personal experience with his first guide dog, Orzo.
Andrew’s life changing experience with Orzo sparked an idea that has become a beacon of inspiration and hope for the blind community. His zeal and optimism are contagious in the best way! All it takes is 5 minutes of conversation with Andrew and you’ll be ready to jump in feet first.
Going Forward
We couldn’t be more proud to have Andrew as the founder of this revolutionary venture. Our hearts are full and focused on the tasks ahead and look forward to the coming years as our organization grows and fulfills its purpose to blind and low vision individuals. The mission of Guiding Paws is to bring awareness to the community and support to low vision and blind.
We are dedicated to bringing awareness to people about guide dogs and their role in helping low vision persons with an aim to gaining independence. We also want to be a resource for both the community and low vision and the blind.
Andrew is waiting on a new guide dog (name unknown) since Vaughn was retired at the end of 2023.
Any help as a volunteer or with a gift of money helps us in achieving our goals and move into the future.
Contact us and ask about our newest Awareness Adventure “Into The LIGHT,” a different perspective on low vision and the blind.
