Category: Graduate Teams

Meet Graduate Amanda Graduate Team:  Amanda and MajorAbout the Team: Major, a male black Lab; Amanda’s 1st Guiding Eyes dogLocation: Louisville, KentuckyTraining: May 2026 On-Campus Amanda believes life is about growth, connection, and finding purpose in every experience, even the difficult ones. Amanda enjoys learning, advocating for accessibility, creating art, and encouraging others to see… Continue reading Amanda and Major

Meet Graduate Rita Graduate Team:  Rita and JulieAbout the Team:  Julie, a female black Lab; Rita’s 5th Guiding Eyes dogLocation: Albany, New YorkTraining:  June 2026 Home Training Rita was born with low vision and graduated from the New York State School for the Blind in Batavia, New York. She continued her education through coursework at… Continue reading Rita & Julie

Meet Graduate Spencer Graduate Team: Spencer and CommanderAbout the Team: Commander, a male black Lab; Spencer’s 3rd Guiding Eyes dogHometown: Briggsdale, ColoradoTraining: June 2026 On-Campus Spencer was born and raised in a rural town 65 miles north of Denver, where he still lives. The town is best known as the western gateway to Pawnee National… Continue reading Spencer & Commander

Meet Graduate Don Graduate Team: Donald and QuirrellAbout the Team: Quirrel, a male black Lab; Don’s 2nd Guiding Eyes dogHometown: Westfield, MassachusettsTraining: June 2026 On-Campus Don and his wife, Robin, have been married for 42 years. They have two adult sons and one grandchild, named DJ. Don is a Navy veteran who served as a… Continue reading Don and Quirrel

Meet Graduate Debbie Graduate Team:  Debbie and QuidlyAbout the Team:  Quidly, a male black Lab; Debbie’s 4th Guiding Eyes dogLocation: Anoka, Minnesota  Training: June 2026 On-Campus Debbie has been partnered with her fourth guide dog from Guiding Eyes, a black Labrador named Quidly. Originally from Illinois, Debbie met her husband in Indiana, and they now make their home in Minnesota. Before retiring, Debbie… Continue reading Debbie and Quidly

Meet Graduate Willie Graduate Team:  Willie and BonoAbout the Team:  Bono, a male black Lab; Willie’s 1st guide dogLocation: Clearfield, UtahTraining: May 2026  On-Campus Willie received his first guide dog, Bono, a male black Labrador and running guide. Willie has albinism, a rare genetic condition characterized by reduced melanin – the pigment responsible for coloring… Continue reading Willie and Bono

Meet Graduate Annalisa Graduate Team: Annalisa and VernonAbout the Team: Vernon, a male yellow Lab; Annalisa’s 1st guide dogLocation: Media, PennsylvaniaTraining: May 2026 On-Campus Annalisa is a student at Westchester University of Pennsylvania , pursuing her goal of becoming a special education or elementary education teacher after graduation. In the summer, she brings her energy and… Continue reading Annalisa and Vernon

Meet Graduate Elnora Graduate Team:  Elnora and PonchoAbout the Team:  Poncho, male black Lab; Elnora’s 1st guide dogLocation: Lombard, IllinoisTraining: April 2026 On Campus  Elnora grew up in a small town in southern Illinois as one of eleven children. Her father had glaucoma, and Elnora, along with seven of her siblings, also developed the condition. … Continue reading Elnora and Poncho

Meet Graduate April Graduate Team: April and RoseAbout the Team:  Rose, a female German Shepherd; April’s 4th guide dog, 3rd Guiding EyesLocation:  West Allis, WisconsinTraining:  June 2026, On-Campus April is a veteran when it comes to her partnerships, especially the partnerships she has developed with her guide dogs. She approaches each relationship with the same… Continue reading April and Rose

Meet Graduate Janet Graduate Team: Janet and AndersonAbout the Team:  Anderson, a male yellow Lab; Janet’s 11th Guiding Eyes DogLocation:  Gloucester, MassachusettsTraining:  May 2026 Home Training Janet has been a longstanding handler of Guiding Eyes guide dogs for 40 years. She is a dedicated advocate for the DeafBlind community and was one of the founders… Continue reading Janet and Anderson