Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor
We are thrilled to announce that Elias Weiss Friedman, the photographer and storyteller behind the global phenomenon The Dogist, will join us as our keynote speaker for the 96th Annual Seeing Eye Gala.
The Dogist, Elias Weiss Friedman is a New York Times bestselling author, photographer, creative director, and producer and the creator of the wildly successful online platform, The Dogist, with more than 11 million followers across social platforms. More than a decade and over 50,000 dogs later, Elias has redefined dog portraiture through his singular style of humanizing his subjects and illuminating their true essence. He serves as an official photographer for both Westminster and the Super Bowl's beloved counterpart, the Puppy Bowl.
Outside of his work photographing dogs, he is also an advocate for them, working with incredible philanthropic organizations. He's also recently relaunched The Dogist Fund as a tax-deductible nonprofit organization in partnership with GoFundMe, dedicated to improving the lives of dogs everywhere and committed to supporting initiatives that enhance the well-being of dogs in need and humans in need of dogs.
Friedman is the author of New York Times Best Sellers The Dogist: Photographic Encounters with 1,000 Dogs and This Dog Will Change Your Life. He recently completed his "Dog Nation: An Evening with The Dogist," a nine-city national tour with Live Nation featuring special guests and their four-legged best friends. The Dogist launched his new series. DOGS with Elias Weiss Friedman, a digital-first talk show starring Elias Weiss Friedman, The Dogist, featuring doggable conversations with celebrity guests. DOGS episodes launch weekly on YouTube @TheDogist.
Join us for the Annual Seeing Eye Gala presented by Royal Canin
We hope you can join us for the annual Seeing Eye Gala! Enjoy an elaborate cocktail hour with music, hors d'oeuvres and puppy photos, followed by a delicious 3-course dinner and inspiring program. The evening will also feature live and silent auctions with truly unique items and experiences.
Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Time: 6 pm cocktail reception; 7 pm dinner & program
Location: Mountain Ridge Country Club, 713 Passaic Avenue, West Caldwell, NJ 07006
Thank you to our co-chairs:
Maria Jimenez, Royal Canin, Corporate Co-Chair
Patti Aresty, Co-Chair
Suanne and Brian McDonald, Co-Chair
Colleen Wunderlich and James Ciarlette, Co-Chair
Questions? Contact Gina Hascup at [email protected] or 973-539-4425 x1734
For assistance with staff & graduate ticket purchases, please contact Kyle Street at [email protected] or 973-539-4425 x1906
$450000 Goal
$295958
Total Raised
BEST OF BREED
Cliff and Karen Aaron
Susan and Gregory Gnall
OhSang Kwon and Alice Kang
Linda Schnell
Top Dog Sponsors & Table Sponsors
John and Joanne Bonanno
Boston Consulting Group- Jill Wang, Andy Mitchell
Robert and Liz Glenning
Goldman Sachs/Julian Leone
Brad and Susan Hart
Karen Leies and Michael Fagin
Catherine Kiernan, Esq. and Bill Van Nostrand
Thomas Mackenzie
Eileen McDonagh
The McDonald Family
Michael and Tanis Mittelman
Adrienne Scott
Bryan and Stacey Supran
Colleen Wunderlich and James Ciarlette
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Buddy Sponsors
Melinda Connolly
Richard V. Boulger and Mary S. Irion
Joseph and Lucy Franceus
Jeri-Ann and Matt Frankel
Ira and Karen Fuchs
Rebecca Green and Leonard Kaplan
Peggy and Steve Grow
David and Sharyl Hertz
Amber Hobson
Bob and Pam Kallas
Karen Keninger and Brian Healy
Wendy Lazarus, WML Public Affairs
Caroline and Joel McKeever
Gordon and Susan Melville
William and Francis Mino
David and Linda Mastrobattista
Peter and Murie Nussbaum
Millie and John Rasweiler
Susan and Paul Sepe
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