Cecil Williams, the blind man who fell onto subway tracks and was saved by his guide dog Orlando, will be able to give Orlando a loving home after his retirement. Williams, who is recovering in a hospital with Orlando by his side, was supposed to receive a new working dog to replace Orlando in January or February. However, now he hopes to have two dogs – one as a working dog and one as a retired pet. If this is not possible, the family who raised Orlando as a puppy has expressed their excitement and willingness to take him back. Guiding Eyes for the Blind spokeswoman Michelle Brier stated that the family is thrilled that Orlando has made such a big difference in someone’s life.
According to Williams, he couldn’t afford to take care of Orlando, who is no longer a working dog. Therefore, he was searching for a suitable home for him. Guiding Eyes provides service dogs for free, but they are unable to cover the expenses of retired dogs. After AP published an interview and pictures of Williams with Orlando in his hospital room, St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center received numerous inquiries from individuals expressing their concern and offering financial assistance. The hospital has requested Guiding Eyes to manage these inquiries. If Williams decides to keep both dogs, he will require financial support to provide for the Lab’s needs. Brier stated that Williams is currently going through a difficult time, and it’s an emotional and stressful period.
The organization had plans to establish a fund and share the details on their website. If Williams doesn’t require the financial aid, it will assist other guide dogs, as per Brier’s statement. On Tuesday, Williams, who is 61 years old, and Orlando were bumped by a passing train but managed to escape severe injuries. The traumatic incident began when Williams experienced dizziness while heading to the dentist. According to witnesses, Orlando barked frantically and attempted to prevent Williams from falling off the platform. New York Post’s Matthew Martin shared that Orlando jumped onto the tracks and kissed Williams to motivate him to move as the train approached.
On Wednesday, Williams shared that he is improving but uncertain about his hospital stay duration. He mentioned having soreness in his head due to the staples and bruises on his body. The medical team is yet to conclude the reason behind his health condition, and they continue to conduct tests.
