Graduate Team: Wade and Keaton
About the Team: Keaton, a male black Lab; Wade’s 1st guide dog
Location: Oxford, Florida
Training: September 2026 On campus
Wade previously worked as a District Manager for Publix, a Florida-based supermarket chain, prior to his vision loss. Wade has been legally blind since 2024, due to MS flare ups, which effect nerves behind both eyes. Wade has three grown children, two sons and a daughter. She does Flyball training, combining obedience, agility, and teamwork to prepare dogs, including police dogs, for fast-paced relay races. Wade is also a grandfather, and treasures time with his two grandchildren and enjoys his three “grand-dogs.” At home, he has a Yorkie of his own, named Missy, who has been helpful in detecting seizures at night. Wade loves setting sail on cruise vacations to explore new destinations, but he also appreciates the simple pleasures of the outdoors, whether camping or taking a relaxing hike around his neighborhood.
How would you describe your guide dog? “Keaton is a very smart and intelligent dog – very caring. He’s fun to play with, but when he puts on that harness, he knows it’s time to go to work.”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “I went up to Guiding Eyes for a 4-5 day seminar they were hosting about what it would be like to have a guide dog. The seminar focused on educational presentations that described what it’s like to live with and work alongside a guide dog. It was there that I met Keaton and we bonded right away. We were a match and less than two weeks later I was back to Guiding Eyes for training.”
How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “I have felt such freedom with Keaton. Before I felt trapped in the house. I did cane training previously, but it is not the same and I didn’t feel as secure. I feel more comfortable going out. I’m able to go to Target, Publix and Lowe’s with no problem. It’s been a world of difference. I feel more confident. I have a partner. For instance, I went to a doctor’s office, whose location had recently changed, and Keaton got me there and into the office. It’s been amazing.”
Were there any training highlights? “Yes, it was really neat going out, as opposed to spending the whole time on campus. We went to White Plains and took the train, so it was different to experience the walkway on the train platform. I wanted to do this because I do take a train once in a while from Orlando to Miami. Our instructors took us to the Jefferson Valley Mall during training and we walked in there a lot. We also walked the neighborhood around Guiding Eyes’ campus. I was able to meet Keaton’s raiser who is 22 years old and became a trainer for the VA Hospital, training dogs for people with PTSD. She did a great job with Keaton.”
DOB: 3/7/2024
Litter ID: 7K24
Color/Breed: Black/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Male
Brood: Yara
Stud: Benny
Littermates: Katonah, Kieran, Kiby, Keno
Region: Capital NY Puppy Raising Region
Regional Puppy Instructor: Kate Gardner
Puppy Raiser: Joseph Giles, Elaina Blake
Facebook: Central NY Puppy Raisers
Raising Keaton on my college campus had its challenges but also had great training opportunities mostly because there were a lot of other dogs on campus but he really did an amazing job at ignoring each and everyone of them. He truly is an amazing dog and I could not be happier that you two found each other! ~ Elaina Blake
