Catie and Winette

Meet Graduate Catherine

Graduate Team:  Catherine and Winette
About the Team:  Winette, a female black Labrador Retriever is Catie’s 1^st guide dog     
Location:  Middletown, Connecticut
Training: June 2024 On-Campus

Catie is a lifelong resident of the Connecticut River Valley. She graduated from East Hampton High School and worked as a medical receptionist and administrative assistant for many years. She is a mom to her teenage daughter and adult son. Catie, her daughter, and her mother reside together, representing three generations of their family. In 2014, Catie suffered a traumatic facial injury which resulted in her losing her vision. Despite the challenges of this devastating event, Catie embraces the opportunity to explore her neighborhood and exercise regularly. She has worked hard to adapt to her vision loss, and her new partnership with Winette is the next chapter in that commitment. Catie looks forward to regaining her independence with Winnie.

How would you describe your guide dog?  “Winnie is a sweetheart and a real love!  She is smart and has a great personality.  Winnie weighs just 50 lbs and is the perfect size guide for me to handle. When she is in her harness she works hard and is very attentive.  Winnie is aware and attuned to me at all times. She ‘checks-in’ often and I can tell she wants to please. When she is not working, she is very fun-loving. She came into our home and fit right in with our 2 cats and 11-year-old terrier.”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes?  “Since 2017 I have been involved with the CT Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB).  I established the goal of getting a guide dog.  My mobility instructor at BESB recommended Guiding Eyes based on their previous experience working with the organization.   My initial phone call to Guiding Eyes, inquiring about an application, set the tone for what has been a wonderful experience that ultimately resulted in Winnie as my guide! During that first conversation, I learned about the application process and Guiding Eyes staff actually began the process of completing the application with me.  The more I learned about Guiding Eyes and their residential training program, I knew it was the right school for me.”

How has having a guide dog impacted your life?  “Winnie and I graduated a little more than a month ago. We continue to learn and practice our skills every day. It is certainly a process and transition from using a cane.  Winnie makes my travel easier and more seamless. I love not having to fumble with a cane!  I can do more things on my own, such as errands and going for a walk.  It has been a great journey from that first inquiry phone call. Every day I learn something new while gaining freedom and independence.”

Were there any training highlights? “The experience of training on the Guiding Eyes campus was amazing and affirmed my choice of a residential training program. The class size was small allowing for lots of individualized attention.  There were 6 other students in the class, three of whom were returning students.  We all got along so well, sharing insights and supporting each other.  The trainers were simply amazing!  My trainer Michelle assessed how I learned best and tailored the training to fit my learning style. The training locations and outings were designed to simulate the scenarios of my everyday life.  For example, we went to the grocery store, dinner at a restaurant and there were many trips to Starbucks. Winnie goes right to the counter and at this point could probably order my mocha latte for me!”

Meet Guide Dog Winette

DOB:  4/11/2022
Litter ID: 9W22
Color/Breed:  Black/Labrador
Gender: Female
Brood: Debbie
Stud: Dasher
Littermates: Waffle, Wade, Watson, Walter, Watkins, Wes
Region:  NoVA-North
Regional Puppy Instructor: Katie Meuer
Puppy Raiser:  Kathleen & Tim McQuade
Facebook: NoVA North Puppy Raisers

From the Puppy Raiser…

Winette was a playful puppy from the start. She would stalk her toys and give them a good pounce, We would just laugh. Winette loved her puppy play dates, and would take over the water bowls and mud puddles. Winette also loved her puppy friends and was excited to have human friends. She was taught to swim and proved a natural. She also loved sniffing, working and sniffing. Winette was a great walker from the start. She was very interested in trying new things – she was fearless. She loved playing with her toys and chewing on her bones. Winette liked hanging out with us and would always check up on the people in the household. When given the Kennel command, Winette would run and go right in and was very comfortable in her crate. Winette was always complimented on her puppy swaps and sits. Winette is such a smart, compact and energetic puppy. We are looking forward to your adventures with her and we hope you enjoy and explore with her as much as we did.  ~Kathleen and Tim McQuade 

Photos of the Team…