Amanda and Brava

Meet Graduate Amanda

Graduate Team: Amanda and Brava
About the Team: Brava, a female black Lab, is Amanda’s 2^nd Guiding Eyes dog
Hometown: Janesville, Wisconsin
Training: November 2022 Home Training

Amanda and her guide dog Brava live in Janesville, Wisconsin where Amanda regularly spends time with her family and her retired guide, Dakin. Amanda has a certificate in Early Childhood Education. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music, and watching TV series; her favorites include medical dramas like Grey’s Anatomy, The Good Doctor, and Chicago Med and Law & Order: SVU. Amanda also enjoys time hanging out with friends.

How would you describe your guide dog? “Brava is just so sweet. She wags her tail every morning when I say ‘good morning’ to her. And when I’m on the couch, she likes to come over and check on me to see if I’m all right. She’s just the sweetest and she’s really so amazing. She loves her mat that my parents bought her her and lays on it all the time.”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “I decided to come back to Guiding Eyes because when I first got Dakin, in February of 2013, the experience was good. I made a really good friend that I still keep in contact with today. I had such a good experience with Guiding Eyes, so I knew I wanted to apply for another dog from there.”

How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “I like the companionship that she brings to me and having her really makes me feel safe, too. Sometimes she’ll walk a little fast, but goes slower when I say ‘steady’. When I take Brava out every day she’s so quick, which I love because I don’t like the cold! My last guide, Dakin, would take his time. I love Brava so much and she’s my first black lab!”

Were there any training highlights?  “I had a good experience doing home training with Guiding Eyes. The trainer was super nice, and it was fun taking her to new places like PetSmart, the mall, the grocery store, and Target. We went to lots of stores and would also go out for lunch. I really enjoyed that.”

Meet Guide Dog Brava

DOB:  4/1/2020
Litter ID: 10BB20
Color/Breed:  Black/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Female
Brood: Lace
|Stud: Kisco
Littermates: Bishop, Brahms, Ballou, Bart, Bedford, Biscotti, Basil, Bettina, Luke
Region: Capital NY
Regional Puppy Instructor: Kate Gardner
Puppy Raiser:  The Breault Family
Facebook: Capital NY Puppy Raisers

From the Puppy Raiser…

Brava is the sweetest girl you’ll ever meet!! She loves to go on adventures but will stop everything for a belly rub!!! Life with Brava is filled with love!  ~ Kelly Breault, Puppy Raiser

Photos of the Team…