Graduate Team: Brittany and Pearse
About the Team: Pearse, a male yellow Lab; Brittany’s 1st guide dog
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Training: June 2025 On Campus
Brittany was born in Dallas, and while growing up, she lived in various towns across Texas. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Portland Community College. Brittany was declared legally blind in 2008 due to an eye infection and has limited light perception. Brittany and her husband, Justin, have been married for twelve years, having met seventeen years ago in Oregon while working on a musical production. The couple is raising their two children, Madison and Micah, in a town just outside of San Antonio, and Brittany dedicates a significant amount of time to their homeschooling. She made this choice in collaboration with other homeschooling families due to overcrowded classes. In her free time, Brittany enjoys hiking and walking adventures with her family. Pearse is Brittany’s first guide dog.
How would you describe your guide dog? “Pearse is amazing, sweet, kind, and lovable. However, when it’s time to work, he gets right on it.”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “I heard testimonials from a number of guide dog owners at an AFB (American Foundation for the Blind) conference. Everyone spoke positively about the after-training follow-up and care available if there needs to be any fine-tuning post-class.”
How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “My young daughter would assist me with navigating when I was using a cane. She would, from time to time, forget to call out an obstacle. With the guide dog, it is so much easier and quicker to get around. It requires less concentration, thinking, and enables me to get around amazingly safely.”
Were there any training highlights? “Chef Rob went out of his way to meet my dietary needs and digestive issues. He made me sweet potato fries because my stomach handles them better, and he even picked up the protein drinks I rely on back in Texas. I also trained on elevators, escalators, buses, and trains in the event I would one day encounter them. Because I love to hike, my trainers, Kat and Dan, took me on different types of hiking paths in the FDR State Park and other areas as well. There were only four students in my class, and we continue to keep in touch. I also enjoyed meeting and speaking to Pearse’s Special Name donor, Kerri Moore, and puppy raisers Pam and Scott.”
DOB: 7/11/2023
Litter ID: 4PP23
Color/Breed: Yellow/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Male
Brood: Sally
Stud: Gomer
Littermates: Poet, Peanut, Padre, Paula, Pez
Region: New Hampshire
Regional Puppy Instructor: Lisa Bumbalo
Puppy Raiser: The Gauthier Family
Facebook: New Hampshire Puppy Raisers
Special Recognition: Pearse was special named by Kerri Moore and family in memory of Patrick Pearse Moore. Patrick was a local Westchester resident who was well known and loved in the community; a dedicated volunteer, socializing puppies at Guiding Eyes, earning his Gallon Club card from the New York Blood Center, running the Tunnel to Towers 5K yearly, among other valiant pursuits.
We loved having Pearse become part of our family. He was such a sweet and smart boy from the very beginning! He fit right in making his presence know as “King of the House” with the other 2 female dogs and female cat. He enjoyed his weekly food shopping outings and visits to the local lakes for swimming. Pearse is a fast learner and always attentive when working. He will make himself a part of your heart quickly with his sweet disposition and all his kisses. ~ The Gauthier Family
