Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.
gebdev

Ashley and Pendleton

Thank you to our generous August Graduates Sponsor…

In memory of my wife, Barbara Woods, who loved dogs and Guiding Eyes. Through our entire marriage, we have had dogs, usually two at a time, and enjoyed them! Sponsoring the graduating class is a perfect way to honor her memory.

– Richard Woods

Meet August Residential Training Graduate Ashley

Graduate Ashley poses by a rock with a plaque on campus with guide dog PendletonGraduate Team:  Ashley and Pendleton
About the Team: Pendleton, a male black Lab, is Ashley’s 3rd Guiding Eyes dog
Hometown:  Baltimore, Maryland
Guide Dog Mobility Instructor: Deanna Lentini

Ashley and her guide dog Pendleton live in Baltimore Maryland, where Ashley works as a receptionist at the National Federation for the Blind. In her free time Ashley loves to read, with historical fiction and thrillers included in her favorite genres. Ashley also enjoys going for walks and listening to music – Celine Dion is her favorite artist.

How would you describe your guide dog? “Pendleton is very sweet and willing. Those are the two words I would use to describe him. He is just a sweetheart and loves his treats. He’s very cautious, like when we come up to a steep step he’ll hesitate and wait for my assurance that I’m ready. He loves for me to hold his bone for him and he is so attuned to tone of voice.”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes?  “I really love traveling with a guide dog. The fluidity of travel is great. It’s nice to go around obstacles and know he’s looking out for traffic and knows how to traffic check. If we were walking at a crosswalk and a car went out ahead of us, he would pull us away from it. Of course, it is also great companionship.”

How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “I have so much independence and it feels much freer to travel with him. We’re a team and it’s so nice to have that companionship. You put your trust in four paws and know that they’re going to keep you safe. It’s nice to walk with a dog who will automatically take me around obstacles like trash cans, rather than if I was using my cane. It’s also an efficient way to find things. Once you teach Pendleton to find a chair, he’ll know where it is the next time.”

Were there any training highlights?  “I wasn’t expecting him to come to me so quickly when I was getting to know him. I actually expected it to take quite a while. When we were in the grooming room working on relationship building and I would call him while he was playing, it was a ‘wow’ moment. I’d call him over, give him a treat, then let him go back to playing. Of course, I love his mellow personality. It was so cool when I realized how easygoing and mellow he was when I first met him.”

Meet Guide Dog Pendleton

Pendleton was a wonderful first puppy to raise. Such an enthusiastic learner with a sweet soul. He arrived at my home in October of 2019 at 8 months of age and returned for his IFT in March 2021. He “worked” in a private medical office greeting patients and helping front office staff. He has matured so much. We are so proud of him.

Frances Seymour, Puppy Raiser of Pendleton

We had an adventurous 5 months together, Pendleton. Exposing you to so many new things at a boarding school including the constant love from teenage students and the campus puppies when you could play. It was challenging to not lung for kisses and hugs from the students and you were awesome. What I most enjoyed your cuddles and loyalty.  You were an amazing puppy.

Ruth Morrongiello, Puppy Raiser of Pendleton

Enjoy these photos of the team and Pendleton as a pup on program…