Brayan and Macro

Meet Graduate Brayan

Graduate Team: Brayan and Macro
About the Team: Macro, a male yellow Lab, is Brayan’s 1^st guide dog
Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Training: November 2023 On-Campus

Brayan was born in Delicias, a city in Chihuahua, Mexico, before immigrating to the United States when he was 4 years old. He was raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he currently resides. He lost much of his sight shortly after birth and has since become totally blind. Brayan earned a degree in psychology at a local community college and has received numerous professional certifications through his pursuit of on-line training in his field of expertise. He worked for several years as an Access Technology – Document Remediation Specialist, reviewing PDF documents to ascertain their user friendliness for visually impaired individuals ranging in age from high school to senior citizens. He recently began a new job as a Web Auditor for New-View, a company that specializes in evaluating website accessibility for the visually impaired. His interests include playing guitar and violin, as well as composing and recording music in his home studio. Brayan enjoys power walking and most recently running, thanks to the opportunities introduced by the Guiding Eyes Running Guide Program.

How would you describe your guide dog? “Versatile. He will spend time sitting by my side keeping me company, relaxing and chilling out. But he definitely knows how to work when called upon, and never tires when working.”  

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “I was attracted by their Running Guide Program. I heard about it at a convention and was instantly intrigued because it had always been a problem to find people to run with me, because of their busy schedules.”

How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “I didn’t expect some of the things Macro brought into my life. My social anxiety was immediately reduced. I have become more confident going out to places. Although I didn’t have any real problems utilizing a cane, I have become much faster getting around with Macro.”

Were there any training highlights? “Shannon was my trainer. Great experience. There were only four students in my class. The small group size enabled the trainer to focus on my training which enabled me to bond quickly with Macro. Also, during my two weeks of on-site training, I didn’t have to worry about where my next meal was coming from. The food was awesome, and I was able to select whatever I wanted from their menu. If what I craved wasn’t on the menu, they would prepare it specially for me. Just being on campus after hours contributed to my training with Macro. I learned to get around the campus and bonded further with Macro. Our training included visiting White Plains, which is similar in size to Tulsa, going to the Mt. Kisco train station, local shops, restaurants and, of course, the bike/jogging path as part of my running guide training.”

Meet Guide Dog Macro

DOB:  8/7/2021
Litter ID: 3MM21
Color/Breed:  Yellow/Labrador
Gender: Male
Brood: Promise
Stud: Shadow
Littermates: MacGyver, Merrie, Merijul, Mandy
Region:  Southwestern VT, Capital NY
Regional Puppy Instructor: Kate Gardner
Puppy Raiser:  The Peter Cornish Family, The Barkevich Family
Facebook: Southwestern VT Puppy Raisers
Facebook: Capital NY Puppy Raisers

From the Puppy Raiser…

Macro came to me when he was five months old to finish raising. He was always calm, loving, and settled well in any situation, even at a young age. Everyone who met him adored him immediately. Though Macro was calm indoors and while out socializing in the public, he also had great enthusiasm on his long leash walks around the neighborhood and while accompanying me on hikes through the woods and up mountains. Macro is also such a fun dog…he absolutely loves water of any kind, diving into pools and lakes to fetch his toys. Macro is a loyal and loving friend and companion. I wish Macro and his new partner a lifetime of the joy that he was able to provide for me. ~ Naomi Barkevich, Puppy Raiser

Macro loved going out and doing things – learning open back stairs, in my classroom and greeting children at the children’s Covid Clinic in Manchester VT. Who doesn’t love snuggles at the end of a day of work! ~ Maura Cornish, Starter Puppy Raiser

Photos of the Team…