Graduate Team: Annalisa and Vernon
About the Team: Vernon, a male yellow Lab; Annalisa’s 1st guide dog
Location: Media, Pennsylvania
Training: May 2026 On-Campus
Annalisa is a student at Westchester University of Pennsylvania , pursuing her goal of becoming a special education or elementary education teacher after graduation. In the summer, she brings her energy and creativity, teaching dance at a camp, to young students. She loves dancing, theater, traveling, and baking cookies. Diagnosed with Stargardt disease at age 10, Annalisa began using a cane in 2022. Since that time, she aspired to partner with a guide dog and has been working toward that goal. Vernon, a running guide, is her first guide dog, helping her to navigate and live more independently and confidently.
How would you describe your guide dog? “The best way to describe Vernon is that when he’s working, he is the most focused dog you’ll ever see. When he’s working, his whole life is about working. He takes everything to heart, too. I have to give him a lot of positive affirmations if I need to give him a correction, because he is sensitive and very serious about his job. Then, when he isn’t working, he is the sweetest, goofiest dog ever! He loses a few brain cells the second he is off the clock. He loves to sleep and play, and he’s such a puppy when he’s not working.”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “I always knew that I wanted a guide dog. I started using a cane and working on mobility training specifically so I could work toward getting a guide dog. I came across Guiding Eyes while researching the best facilities near me, and I liked everything I was seeing with Guiding Eyes. I love that they have running guides, because that’s what Vernon is, and they are the only place that does that! I love that they actually treat their dogs like dogs, and not just workers.”
How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “Vernon is my best friend! It is literally the best thing that could’ve ever happened to me. I never knew what it felt like to not have to rely on other people to walk around. My first walk with Vernon felt like the coolest thing ever, because I had to stand up straight with my head held high, and that is not the way I have been able to walk in so long. It really makes a difference to be able to walk confidently and have my best friend with me. I don’t know how I lived before! This has also given me a reason to get out of my bed every morning, because there’s somebody else relying on me, too. This experience has made me a better person.”
Were there any training highlights? “This was my first time being away from my home without friends or family, and it was definitely hard, but the people at Guiding Eyes really made me feel at home and cared so much about us. Shannon, Michelle, and Amy are not only the best trainers, but they also are the best people – the support they provided was unmatched. Shannon even noticed when I was feeling down and came to my door to check on me. Everyone treated me like I was their little sister or their own kid, and I couldn’t have asked for better staff. I really don’t think I could’ve gotten through it with anyone else.”
DOB: 5/10/2024
Litter ID: 3V24
Color/Breed: Yellow/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Male
Brood: Roxy
Stud: Henry
Littermates: Vader, Vander, Vaughn, Vinny, Vic
Region: Columbus
Regional Puppy Instructor: Leslie Stephens
Puppy Raiser: Megan Walston
Facebook: Columbus Puppy Raisers
Vernon was the first pup that I raised through Guiding Eyes, and I couldn’t have asked for a better one. He was so willing to learn new commands, and he especially loved to show off his “close”! He was so confident in unfamiliar situations, like going to the zoo, aquarium, and a cow farm. And to top off his wonderful skillset, he was just the snuggliest, sweetest puppy. He helped me through both my junior year of college and moving to a new state for an internship. Through these, I am so thankful for how much he taught me throughout the process of raising him, and even more so I’m so proud of him for turning into such a wonderful guide dog! ~ Megan Walston
