Graduate Team: Katie and Steinway
About the Team: Steinway, a male black & tan German Shepherd; Katie’s 6th guide dog (3rd Guiding Eyes)
Location: Michigan
Training: July 2026 On-Campus
Katie is a physical therapist who manages an outpatient rehabilitation clinic and lives in Michigan with her husband and her new guide dog, Steinway. She loves staying active year-round, hitting the ski slopes in the winter and enjoying water skiing during the summer. Her passion for the sport has even taken her around the world to compete in water skiing events. When she’s not working or skiing, you’ll often find her out for a long walk with Steinway, one of her favorite things to do. The two have quickly become a great team and now enjoy nearly six miles of walking together every day.
How would you describe your guide dog? “Steinway is a very handsome black and tan German Shepherd. He has long legs, long pointy ears, and a super long tail. He has been known to get a case of the zoomies late at night, but otherwise when off duty, he is mellow and chill. One day when we were out walking, I came across a splash pad. I removed his harness, and he had the best time playing and splashing. When his harness goes on, he is Mr. Business. He is very alert and professional, knows his job, and is very confident.”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “I have known Dave Hagemann for many years. He is a remote guide dog mobility instructor for Guiding Eyes. He encouraged me to apply, and I have had two guide dogs from this organization. They were both German Shepherds and excellent guides.”
How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “I received my first guide dog when I was seventeen after I graduated from high school. I find a guide dog gives me more independence. It is much easier to navigate sidewalks and crosswalks, and manage traffic. A guide dog gives me more confidence, and when exploring unfamiliar environments, it gives me a better sense of safety.”
Were there any training highlights? “I would definitely say the highlight of my training was my instructor, Jolene. From the day she picked me up at the airport to two weeks later when she took me back for departure, she was amazing. She went above and beyond to match me with Steinway and took a personal interest in whatever would benefit us. She was very flexible. We trained in different environments such as big cities, smaller towns, rural areas, and outdoor recreational sites.”
DOB: 11/19/2023
Litter ID: 1S323
Color/Breed: Black & Tan/German Shepherd
Gender: Male
Brood: Emery
Stud: Pete
Littermates: Summit, Sabine, Suzanne, Strudel, Sherwood, Symphony, Spirit
Region: Central NY
Regional Puppy Instructor: MeKalea Chambliss
Puppy Raiser: Jessie Burgess
Facebook: Central NY Puppy Raisers
Steinway lives every day to the fullest, a happy-go-lucky kinda guy! Always a comedian, yet takes his work very seriously. He always made me smile, and I hope he brings that joy to his new family! ~ Jessica Burgess
