SAN ANTONIO – It's beginning to look at a lot like Christmas in downtown San Antonio. The Christmas tree at Alamo Plaza has made its way home for the season.
And, who better to guide its arrival than our very own adopted dog, Gino, from the Guide Dogs of Texas.
It's a 55-foot white fur making its way all the way from the Shasta Mountains in northern California.
Helping guide the way, our very own Gino.
It was no easy task getting this tree to stand upright.
That meant our guide dog in training had to be patient.
"Many of these people that receive our dogs are going to be in a working environment. They're going to learn to sit for long periods of time, doctors' appointments, we have veterans that take them with them to therapy appointments," said April Medellin with the Guide Dogs of Texas.
So this lesson on patience earned an A+.
He sat still pretty much the entire time.
And, the Guide Dogs of Texas said, people who see Gino around town are starting to recognize him and have a better understanding of how much work goes into training pups like him.
"We've gained puppy raisers as you've seen on other segments from KSAT viewers and contributions which is huge not only volunteers of time but donations as well," said Medellin.
The Guide Dogs of Texas are cashing in on all of this exposure. HEB donated $7,500 to their Puppy Raiser Program to help train another guide dog.
"We have over 20 dogs in our puppy program right now. Gino is getting some support as well as other dogs in the program through HEB," said Medellin.
Gino will get another chance to test his patience.
He'll be part of the tree lighting ceremony.
It'll be strung with 10,000 lights and decorated with red and gold ornaments.
And, Gino, part of it all for the first time, will sure look on with Christmas cheer.
The tree lighting ceremony will take place Friday, November, 25th at 6:30 p.m. There will be plenty of family activities to enjoy all afternoon.