Graduate Team: Carlo and Indo
About the Team: Indo, a male black & tan German Shepherd; Carlos’ 4th guide dog
Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota
Training: July 2025 On-Campus
Carlos was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. After graduating from high school, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Arizona State University. Since 2021, Carlos has worked as a technical support representative for a nonprofit agency, assisting customers with technology issues. In this hybrid role, he responds to their emails and phone calls from either home or the office. In his free time, he enjoys reading non-fiction and historical memoirs, which he says provide him insight and a greater understanding of people generally. He also finds pleasure in walking nature trails and being outdoors. As a young child, he lost his sight due to detached retinas, and Indo is Carlos’s fourth guide. His previous guide dog, Treasure, was also a Guiding Eyes German Shepherd.
How would you describe your guide dog? “Indo is a friendly giant who doesn’t know his own strength. He is a happy boy, with the firm drive, intelligence, and goofy personality I was hoping for in a guide. His confidence boosts my confidence.”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “The first German Shepherd I trained with was at Guiding Eyes, and I had a great experience. Being able to train in the New York City metropolitan area was very attractive to me; however, it was witnessing another graduate’s well-trained guide dog from Guiding Eyes that convinced me to apply here for my third guide. There was no question that I would return to Guiding Eyes for my fourth guide dog.”
How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “After receiving my first guide dog, I found traveling with a white cane to be slower in many settings. I’ve lived in different parts of the country, and I discovered that a guide dog supercharged my travel abilities. It also became a natural icebreaker for meeting people. Both have enhanced my quality of life.”
Were there any training highlights? “It was quite hot in New York during our July class training, however, what stands out most to me is the banter and friendships with my classmates. Meeting Indo’s puppy raiser was cool, too. She was very proud of having her hard work pay off. The staff were all kind and supportive. Everyone from the maintenance staff to the training staff made me feel welcome. They all deserve credit for helping to make our time on campus comfortable.”
DOB: 5/18/2023
Litter ID: 4II23
Color/Breed: Black & Tan/German Shepherd
Gender: Male
Brood: Kindra
Stud: Flynn
Littermates: Indigo, Innoko, Idril, Ibiza
Region: Northern CT
Regional Puppy Instructor: Maureen Hollis
Puppy Raiser: The Lauser Family
Facebook: Northern CT Puppy Raisers
Indo was the cutest little ball of German Shepherd fluff with comb-over ears. He enjoyed playing with big brother Ubie, a 100 pound GSD, after they adjusted to the difference in their sizes. We went to ski slopes and rode a gondola, to town meetings, to band and orchestra competitions and concerts, to volleyball games, and movies and he was a hit everywhere. His least favorite things in this world are concert bands and orchestras. His favorite skills were over and go place. He would gladly go place at every mat and mat looking object we came across. He would throw himself into our laps if we asked him to cuddle. We absolutely enjoyed our time with him and are so glad he has his person. ~
Susan, Lilia and Kristiana Lauser
