LEADER DOGS

Tom Simmons has been a Lion for the past 35 years and a Leader Dog handler for the same number of years. Not a coincidence but a life-changing event.
Working with his current “Leader Dog,” Baxter, and the 5 predecessors has deepened his pursuit of an independent and fulfilling life. 

Some examples of his activities are listed below:  
President of Lafayette Lions Club; MD6 Leader Dog Chair;   Multiple District Council Chairman Lions Club International, world’s largest service organization; Chairman and member of the Arizona Governors Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired; Member of the Board of Directors of Foundation for Blind Children; Regional Coordinator for Leader Dogs for the Blind; President, Lions Sight and hearing Foundation; Member of the Board of Directors, Lions Foundation of Arizona; 32 plus years working for the Arizona Department of Revenue, retired business analyst; BSBA from Northern Arizona University in business and marketing; Member of the public America West Arena Accessibility committee; Leader Dog user for 35 years; married to wife, Kyle since 1980; father and Grandfather.

 

This is a long laundry list of some of the things I am and have been involved with and the lessons learned are that nothing comes without hard work, but working smarter is better than just working harder. You must be your own best advocate and continue life with a cheerful outlook, and a good sense of humor does not hurt.