Anthony and Emily

Meet Graduate Anthony

Graduate Team:  Anthony and Emily
About the Team:  Emily, a female black Labrador, is Anthony’s 4th guide dog, 1st Guiding Eyes
Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
Training: March 2025 Home Training

Anthony and his guide dog, Emily, live in Knoxville, Tennessee, where Anthony works at a call center. In his free time, Anthony is passionate about keeping fit and working out. He has a home gym and has been working with a personal trainer for several years, including their regular training sessions over FaceTime. He enjoys using his workout room, equipped with a weight bench, weights, mats, and more, to enhance his fitness routine. Anthony also enjoys going to movies, meeting new people, and being out with his dog. He loves traveling, especially cruises, and is looking forward to taking Emily on a cruise in February 2026. He is also an annual participant in a blind camp where he partakes in several adventurous and creative activities, including archery, hiking, and arts and crafts. He is a member of the Tennessee Alliance of Guide Dog Users, a chapter of NFB, a Lions Club Member, and overall, he enjoys being involved in his community.

How would you describe your guide dog? “Emily is an extension of me. I would feel totally alone without her. I’d rather not do something than leave her at home! I won’t even think about that. She’s adorable, sassy, playful, laid back, and funny. She likes to get on her back and have me rub her belly. She’ll have all fours up in the air! She’s so affectionate, which is the complete opposite of my last dog. When she gets in the mood, she likes to play with toys. I adore her. I told her puppy raisers when I met them that I have a lot of love to give and they told me she had a lot of love to give too.”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes?  “I have a lot of friends who have gotten guide dogs recently from Guiding Eyes, and I’ve heard so many good things about the school. They train people with multiple handicaps, and they offer very specialized training. I liked going on campus for class, as I’d done home training with my previous guide from another school. I heard so many good things about Guiding Eyes that I wanted to go there too!”

How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “I was independent before, but I feel like I can do even more things with a guide dog. I can accomplish more and do things safely with a guide dog. I feel like I’m much more independent. She keeps me safe from traffic. When I’m feeling alone or having a bad day, I only need to love her, which I can’t do with a cane. She’s so great! When I’m frustrated, I just give her love, and she loves it, too. I adore this dog.”

Were there any training highlights?  “The feeling of being excited before getting to the school, and knowing my dog was right around the corner, was such a highlight. I felt like I had goosebumps. I was so excited! Getting a dog, training with her, and learning about her is incredible. I’m awed. I shouldn’t be because they’re so smart, but I’m so happy about it! They told me she’s really good at targeting, and she is! I was so happy to have a dog that was so great at targeting and catches on so fast! Emily and I are going to have a long journey together, and I’m very blessed to have her. The school is amazing, and I’ll never go anywhere else. I’ll always go to Guiding Eyes. I want to support the school!”

Meet Guide Dog Emily

DOB:  1/7/2023
Litter ID: 4E23
Color/Breed:  Black/Labrador
Gender: Female
Brood: Roxy
Stud: Darren
Littermates: Eastman, Esme, Ed, Encore, Eldon, Ellington, Eugene
Region:  Monroe NY
Regional Puppy Instructor: MeKalea Chambliss
Puppy Raiser:  Barb Infarinato
Facebook: Monroe Puppy Raisers

From the Puppy Raiser…

Emily is a joy. She is our grand pup, as we raised her mom Roxy. Emily loves to be out and about. Loves hikes, swimming, playing with her toys and other canine friends. She is very social and loves everyone she comes in contact with. One of Emily’s super powers is her vertical leap. When she gets super excited you may have a chance to witness all four paws leave the ground at once, it’s an incredible feat! Don’t let all the fun and silliness fool you however, when it’s time to work Emily is all business. From our heart to yours we couldn’t be happier as Emily and her person begin their incredible journey together.  ~ Barb and Ron Infarinato

Photos of the Team…