Aimee and Bryna

Meet Graduate Aimee

Graduate Team:  Aimee and Bryna
About the Team:  Bryna, a female yellow Labrador Retriever is Aimee’s 1^st guide dog.
Location:  Cedar Falls, Iowa
Training: August 2024 On-Campus

Aimee is originally from upstate New York and relocated to Iowa with her family as a child. She attended and graduated from the Iowa Sight Saving School. Aimee is also an alumna of the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. For several years, Aimee served as an English Language Development Specialist for students in grades K-5, with a primary focus on teaching English as a second language. Aimee enjoys reading and playing the guitar. She is married with a 14-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son. Guide dog Bryna’s new family also includes a pet tortoise! Aimee is looking forward to traveling with Bryna and the opportunity for more family vacations.

How would you describe your guide dog?  “Bryna is very sweet and playful. She fits right into our family, and it is as if we always needed her! Bryna regularly checks on each member of the family, but then comes back to me.  She is excited to work and happily puts her head through the harness when it is time to go. I think her favorite part of the day is the ¾ mile walk to drop off my son at school and again at the end of the day to pick him up!”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “I was in a car accident in 2019 that accelerated my vision loss. I felt as if I was relying heavily on my family members and losing independence. I also experienced further limitations with my adaptive equipment. I was not moving through the world the way I wanted to, and it became clear I needed more than a cane. I noticed people with guide dogs appeared not only independent but ‘free’.  I researched  guide dog schools and was impressed and inspired by what I learned about Guiding Eyes, both on the organization’s website and their videos on YouTube.”

How has having a guide dog impacted your life?  “Since getting Bryna, I feel less on edge.  I journey through my life more easily.  Everything is less complicated, including trips to the grocery store and walking my son to school.”

Were there any training highlights? “Training at Guiding Eyes was great. The facilities on campus were a highlight!  From the moment I arrived, I knew it was a special place and I felt safe. It was like a hotel with the ultimate accessibility features. Since people experience vision loss on a spectrum, the lighting in the room was fully adjustable and everything was tactile.  The first time I held Bryna’s harness I knew I could trust her. I was surprised at how efficiently we walked together.  My instructor Chrissy told me all of the obstacles Bryna took me around. I couldn’t believe how effortlessly I traveled without fumbling with my cane.  The instructors, fellow students, and staff all wanted me to succeed. I primarily worked with Chrissy, but any instructor who observed me would politely introduce themselves and offer beneficial corrections or suggestions. The other four people in my class were returning Guiding Eyes students. They were great resources when the training or mechanics felt overwhelming for me. They continue to be very supportive and are just a text message away. Since I returned home, Jim, my regional instructor has assisted Bryna and me and assured me training is ongoing.”

Meet Guide Dog Bryna

DOB:  5/11/2022
Litter ID: S-6BB22
Color/Breed:  Yellow/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Female
Brood: Dana
Stud: Rider
Littermates: Burt, Bijou, Bernie, Brandt, Baxter, Bevy, Bankie, Broadway, Beacon, Belgium
Region:  Monroe NY
Regional Puppy Instructor: MeKalea Chambliss
Puppy Raiser:  Susan Chamberlin
Facebook: Monroe Puppy Raisers

Special Recognition: Bryna was special named by Ruth Sidorowicz in memory of her granddaughter, Bryna Emery.

From the Puppy Raiser…

Bryna reminded me of “The Little Engine That Could.” When we socialized and worked on commands, I could almost hear her saying, “I think I can, I think I can.” She kept chug, chugging along with lessons, as we found ways to develop and grow her confidence, independent thinking, auditory and visual experiences. She Loves to learn and it was rewarding to see the look on her face when she understood and mastered things. You knew she would never forget. Her favorite command was “heel” as she whipped her butt around and “nailed” the landing next to me as though she were a gymnast. Cuddling at night is a favorite pastime. Throw in a body massage, and that’s icing on the cake. Aimee will love this sweet, funny girl!  ~ Susan Chamberlin 

Photos of the Team…