Graduate Team: Andrew and Jiminy
About the Team: Jiminy – a male, black Lab; Andrew’s 3rd Guiding Eyes dog
Location: Wichita, Kansas
Training: July 2025 Home Training
Andrew was born blind and with Cerebral Palsy, and is a passionate ambassador for the blind and low vision community. He credits his first guide dog, Orzo, received from Guiding Eyes in 2009, with enabling him to become active and independent. Knowing the frustrations and obstacles a blind individual faces, and how deeply a guide dog can transform a life, he founded Guiding Paws, a 501(c)(3) organization. He operates the non-profit, whose mission is to bring awareness to the community and support blind or low vision persons, with a team of dedicated Board members. Andrew seeks every opportunity to share information about Guiding Eyes, motivated by a desire to give back for all that the organization has done for him. He is well known in the Wichita community for his involvement with the Old Town Rotary Group, Wichita Downtown Lions Club, American Council of the Blind, and the National Federation of the Blind, consistently advocating for those who are blind or visually impaired. Andrew and Jiminy look forward to continuing their journey as resources for the blind community.
How would you describe your guide dog? “Jiminy loves to play, and he is loving my parents and loves scratches as well as treats. In harness, he is really awesome, leading me from point A to point B, walking with me on sidewalks, and doing really well going down and up curbs. He goes to work with me all the time.”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “I am a long-time graduate. I got my first two guide dogs through Guiding Eyes for the Blind and wanted to stick with Guiding Eyes for my third dog. I love Guiding Eyes for the Blind.”
How has a guide dog impacted your life? “Receiving a guide dog who is highly trained, like Jiminy, has played a vital role in helping me to safely navigate sidewalks, busy streets, and building interiors, as well as accompanying me to work and presentations. I am more active, walking many miles a day. I’m a lot less anxious, and having a dog with me 24/7 is really good. I enjoy speaking at schools, colleges, and in my community about the advantages of having a guide dog. A guide dog is more than a companion – it’s a trusted friend and a source of confidence.”
DOB: 1/26/2023
Litter ID: 10J23
Color/Breed: Black/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Male
Brood: Tempest
Stud: Denny
Littermates: Junior, Java, Jordan, Jagger, Jenga, Jetson, Josie, Jedi
Region: Cleveland West
Regional Puppy Instructor: Macy Nauman
Puppy Raiser: Julie Holmes, The Causey Family
Facebook: Ohio Puppy Raisers
We’ve had a lot of dogs over the years, but we can honestly say — Jiminy is our favorite. They broke the mold with him. We call him our gentle giant, the perfect gentleman, lover boy, Jimmy Boy, and Jiminy Cricket. You won’t find a more well-behaved, laid-back dude. People often tell us what a great job we did raising him, but the truth is — it was all him. He was just that good from day one. Whether he was at home in the chaos of our kids, spending a day at the office, or running errands with us, we never had to worry. He was always cool, calm, collected — and obedient to the core. He’s the bestest boy. ~ Catherine & Drew Causey
