Article written for the University of Buffalo and originally published on the school’s website. Christopher Salem’s pragmatic attitude toward his progressive degenerative eye disease had earned him the admiration of co-workers and students. But when he took his new associate, Pancho, down the halls of the School of Management’s Alfiero Center, the reaction was downright adoring. “Look at… Continue reading Pancho: A School of Management Superstar
by Guiding Eyes graduate Deni Elliott Once I crossed the bridge from dorm life to adult life, I could not imagine that I’d ever again be a student. But – I also didn’t know that I would ultimately lose most of my sight. I never could have imagined that being a student at Guiding Eyes… Continue reading Increased confidence through Guiding Eyes
We regularly talk about the ripple effect of our dogs. All Guiding Eyes dogs – working, retired or released – have the ability to transform people’s lives. Guiding Eyes Wren is a released dog with a special purpose. She was adopted by the Serebin family and has become a loyal family pet – and an… Continue reading The Ripple Effect – Ben & Wren
by Guiding Eyes graduate Emmanuel Dillion Hey what’s up everybody! And for all the proper people out there, hello ladies and gentlemen. My name is Emmanuel Dillion and I’m here to tell you a little story about myself and my experience with Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Seven years ago, I became blind due to… Continue reading A commitment to independence
by Guiding Eyes graduate Sally Rosenthal When my paratrooper father jumped out of an airplane sixty-nine years ago and landed on the Normandy beach during the D-Day invasion, he was only one of five men in his company who survived. Scarcely twenty-two with a few years of war behind him, he returned to his base in… Continue reading The Gift
by Guiding Eyes graduate Deni Elliott Like Christmas, but only better. We wait. We anticipate. We worry. Most of us dream for months in advance about who our new partners might be. Male or female? Short coupled or tall and leggy? Yellow or black or maybe a German shepherd dog? If so, long-haired or not?… Continue reading Is there any day more perfect than dog day?
Dear Guiding Eyes, Illinois Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (IAER) is the state organization of professionals who provide education and rehabilitation services to people with visual impairments. Our group includes teachers of visually impaired, orientation and mobility specialists, rehabilitation therapists, university faculty, and counselors from across Illinois. Each year,… Continue reading Guiding Eyes receives Community Partner award
by instructor Kate Peterson After approximately four months of hard work, our potential guide dogs enter the fourth and final phase of training. By this point, each dog has the basic skills necessary for successful guide work. The dogs have already learned how to target curbs, cross streets, navigate around obstacles and how to protect… Continue reading The final stages of guide training
by graduate Deni Elliott I came to Guiding Eyes to get a dog that would accompany me on my life’s pathways. I leave with a partner who makes me confident enough to explore the world regardless of where the roads might lead. I came to Guiding Eyes expecting the dog to reflect the love and… Continue reading I came to Guiding Eyes…
Kimberly Morrow was born blind due to retinopathy of prematurity. She had a very ordinary childhood, filled with roller skating, playing outside, scouts and slumber parties. Kimberly received her first guide dog in 1991; when she later began graduate school at the University of Kansas, she was grateful to have a guide dog to make… Continue reading Kimberly Morrow's life with guide dogs
