Fall is in the Air… and Halloween Is Around the Corner! 🍂 🎃 Crisp mornings, colorful leaves, pumpkin-spiced everything… autumn has officially arrived! As the days grow shorter and neighborhoods begin filling with jack-o’-lanterns, spooky decorations, and costumed trick-or-treaters, we know one thing for certain: Halloween season has begun. At Guiding Eyes for the Blind,… Continue reading VOTE for your Halloween Favorites
Guiding Eyes for the Blind is proud to celebrate graduate Jose Lopez-Masso and his guide dog, Louis, as Jose is recognized by the Florida Panthers through their Celebration of Hispanic Excellence program for his outstanding contributions to the South Florida community. After losing much of his vision to glaucoma in 2002, Jose found renewed independence… Continue reading Guiding Eyes Graduate Jose Lopez-Masso Honored by Florida Panthers
Ask Guiding Eyes graduates about their time on campus, and there’s one name that comes up again and again: Chef Rob. Chef Rob and the kitchen staff prepare three meals a day for students during their time on campus, but what happens at Rosie’s Café goes well beyond what’s on the menu. Before a new… Continue reading More Than a Meal: Celebrating Chef Rob at Rosie’s Café
Meet Graduate Wade Graduate Team: Wade and KeatonAbout the Team: Keaton, a male black Lab; Wade’s 1st guide dogLocation: Oxford, Florida Training: September 2026 On campus Wade previously worked as a District Manager for Publix, a Florida-based supermarket chain, prior to his vision loss. Wade has been legally blind since 2024, due to MS flare ups,… Continue reading Wade and Keaton
After a life-altering auto accident in 2023, and the lengthy recovery that followed, Guiding Eyes graduate Jim McDermott found renewed freedom and independence when he was matched with guide dog, Keanu, a loving, yellow Labrador Retriever. Their inspiring partnership was recently featured in Upworthy, highlighting Jim’s journey after losing his vision and how his faith… Continue reading Jim and Guide Dog Keanu’s Inspiring Story Featured in Upworthy
Meet Graduate Thomas Graduate Team: Thomas and NellieAbout the Team: Nellie, a female black Lab, is Tom’s 1st guide dogLocation: Cave City, KentuckyTraining: August 2026 On-Campus Thomas holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and counseling and resides in Kentucky with his partner, April, a licensed therapist. Before increasing vision loss due to retinitis pigmentosa, Thomas… Continue reading Thomas and Nellie
Meet Graduate Gail Graduate Team: Gail and MimiAbout the Team: Mimi, a female black Lab; Gail’s 3rd guide dogHometown: Jasper, AlabamaTraining: September 2026 On-Campus Gail is dedicated to helping others develop the skills, confidence, and independence to navigate daily life. She lost her vision due to optic nerve damage at the young age of fourteen,… Continue reading Gail and Mimi
Meet Graduate Franny Graduate Team: Franny and TatumAbout the Team: Tatum, a female yellow Lab, is Franny’s 2nd guide dogHometown: Flagstaff, ArizonaTraining: August 2026 On-Campus Franny is in her junior year at Northern Arizona University, studying psychology and minoring in disability studies. After graduation, she plans to pursue a PhD in psychology, with the goal… Continue reading Franny and Tatum
Meet Graduate Kevin Graduate Team: Kevin and JerseyAbout the Team Jersey, a male yellow Lab; Kevin’s 2nd Guiding Eyes dogLocation: Daytona Beach, FloridaTraining: August 2026, On-Campus Kevin is a passionate advocate for the independence and freedom his guide dogs have given him. After losing his vision due to diabetes and being declared legally blind in… Continue reading Kevin and Jersey
On October 8, 2026, Guiding Eyes for the Blind is proud to join nonprofits across the country in celebrating DAF Day – a day dedicated to the incredible impact of giving through Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs). When you recommend a grant from your DAF to Guiding Eyes, you’re doing more than making a donation. You’re… Continue reading The Power of Giving on DAF Day
