Graduate Team: Brian and Moose
About the Team: Moose, a male yellow Lab; Brian’s 1st guide dog
Hometown: New Bedford, Massachusetts
Training: April 2026 On-Campus
Brian currently works as a resident assistant at the Carroll Center for the Blind, a nonprofit organization that provides educational consulting, vocational training, and technology instruction to children and seniors. Seventeen years ago, at age 32, he was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, leading to progressively deteriorating vision. He now reports having only five percent vision remaining in one eye and describes his sight as being like looking through a foggy window. Before his vision declined, Brian worked as a union construction worker and maintenance supervisor, but his visual impairment ultimately forced him to retire from the skilled trades. Born and raised about an hour outside of Boston, Brian still lives in the area with his family. He and his wife, Terri, have been married for thirty-two years and have four adult children – three sons and one daughter, and eight grandchildren. In his free time, Brian enjoys dabbling in woodworking crafts and works out daily at a local gym.
How would you describe your guide dog? “Moose is a big, lovable boy with a very friendly personality. He gets along great with our four-month old, 8 lb. puppy, Tucker. They have become best friends. Moose also loves our grandchildren when he is not working.”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “Before working at the Carroll Center, I attended classes for independent living and technology. It was there that I learned about Guiding Eyes. They were familiar with Guiding Eyes because the two organizations had worked together on special events for the community.”
How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “It has kept me busier as well as walking more now than in the past. We walk fifteen routes in my area, and I commute to work with Moose. He guides me safely around public transportation, including my last leg of my daily travel routine via Uber. Moose is a phenomenal traveler and gets along with everyone at work.”
Were there any training highlights? “There were only six of us in my class. I found every trainer to be amazing, as well as the entire staff to be terrific. Allie was my primary trainer. She is typically a guide dog instructor. However, I learned that she occasionally trains guide dog recipients as well. She was assigned to train Moose and me. She, Michelle, and Shannon all had such upbeat personalities. From the kitchen staff and Chef Rob to the housekeeping staff and night nurses, it takes a village to run a successful program, and all their villagers were phenomenal.”
DOB: 4/2/2024
Litter ID: 1M24
Color/Breed: Yellow/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Male
Brood: Ruby
Stud: Navy
Littermates: Major, Marlin, Maia, Makena
Region: NoVA-North
Regional Puppy Instructor: Katie Meuer
Puppy Raiser: Elena Haverly
Facebook: No Va North Puppy Raisers
