Alexander and Marina

Meet Graduate Alex

Graduate Team: Alex and Marina
About the Team: Marina, a female yellow Lab; Alex’s 1st guide dog
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Training: April 2025 On-Campus

Alex is employed as an Orientation Counselor with Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, teaching independent living skills to others with vision loss. He actively serves his community through his involvement with the Omaha Westside Lions Club.  This summer, Alex will be taking his new guide dog, Marina, to a lake in Minnesota to enjoy time spent with his family. Alex and Marina will also work in a summer program for children called Project Independence, and he looks forward to observing how she will interact with young kids. Alex enjoys an active lifestyle, going to the gym, running, spending time with family, and hanging out with friends in his free time. He has renewed his love of running, thanks to his partnership with Marina, a Guiding Eyes Running Guide. Alex jokes that she has mastered the slow, relaxed jog you do after a workout or race. He finds joy in how much Marina enjoys running!

How would you describe your guide dog? “She’s cuddly for sure. Every morning, she’ll crawl up and paw at my chest or lick my face until I acknowledge that I’m awake. I’ll take her out and feed her, then sit down to have coffee, and if I don’t pay attention, she’ll nudge me with a toy in her mouth. Lately, when I take a shower, she’ll stick her head in the shower, and a nose will pop in around the curtain. I’ve had to tell her to stop doing that. She’s pretty relaxed, and she definitely has a personality! If we’re walking on the sidewalk and people are walking slowly in front of us, she looks for an open spot and cruises around them. I am curious if I should start to state ‘on your left!’ as I pass! I was having lunch with a mentor, and I said, ‘You’re going to have to keep up.’ When she’s ready to go, she’s ready to go.”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes?  “I applied back in 2020 for a guide dog, when I was running in college and wanted a dog that could train with me. I went with Guiding Eyes specifically because of the Running Guides Program. Chaz Davis and Rich Hunter, mentors of mine, had received their running guides from Guiding Eyes.”

How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “For one thing, when you use a cane, you grab it and go. I didn’t have to think about whether I had food, water, or a way of getting water, or park areas. In that regard, it’s a lot of responsibility. Before, I only had to think about myself. I have to make sure I set aside time, so she gets what she needs. I was pretty independent about using a cane, but you’re walking bracing for obstacles that may or may not come. However, with her, I can just get to where I need to go without that hesitation. If I need to find a door, she goes right up to it. When we go to restaurants, she’s good at following whoever I’m with to the table.  The companionship is amazing, too. It’s nice to return home and play with her. If I end up meeting someone, they’re going to have to be okay with sharing me with Marina!”

Were there any training highlights?  “It was cool to see how well-trained the dogs are. It’s incredible how much they’re able to train them! Whether it’s the stairs, keeping you safe near traffic, or traffic checks, it’s crazy everything they teach them. It’s amazing how well-behaved they are, too! I had a pet dog that I thought was pretty well behaved, but nothing compared to a guide dog. The staff there is amazing, and you feel right at home. It was hard to leave! Also, it was probably the best food I’ve ever eaten for 2 weeks of my life. I especially appreciated having two other students in our class who had already had guide dogs. It was fun to talk to them about what they’ve done in certain situations. One of the other students has a similar job to mine, and I was able to ask her questions about being a guide dog handler in our line of work. It was a big deal to take this step. To be in New York for two weeks and feel like I was in good hands.”

Meet Guide Dog Marina

DOB:  2/8/2023
Litter ID: 2M23
Color/Breed:  Yellow/Labrador
Gender: Female
Brood: Dakota
Stud: Garcia
Littermates: Maui, Mimi, Mittens
Region:  Eastern MA
Regional Puppy Instructor: Lisa Bumbalo
Puppy Raiser:  Rachael Bell, Lisa Bumbalo
Facebook: Eastern Mass Puppy Raisers

From the Puppy Raiser…

Marina thinks each day is the best ever! She was such a happy pup who was always up for anything and loved to be on the move. Whether she was out exploring the world, joyfully chasing a ball or playing tag with her four-legged friends, it was impossible to miss her passion for life. I am so proud of her and hope she and Alex have a lifetime of fun-filled adventures together! ~Lisa Bumbalo

Congratulations Marina! We knew your natural spunk and enthusiasm for life would make you the perfect guide dog someday. Thank you for always keeping us on our toes and challenging us to be the best dog trainers and puppy raisers we could be. We will miss your derpy grin, your speckled “fun foot”, and your exuberant butt wiggles, but we know this is what you were born to do with your life. I hope you always find joy in your job and keep your new person safe. ~ Rachael Bell 

Photos of the Team…