Graduate Team: Cecilia and JP
About the Team: JP, a male, black Lab; Cecilia’s 3rd Guiding Eyes dog
Location: Crofton, Maryland
Training: March 2026 Home Training
Cecilia is an emergency manager in the Executive branch of the state of Maryland, for the Department of Disabilities. Her duties include analyzing policy and legislation. She considers herself a lifelong learner, always trying to improve in her career or personal life. She volunteers her time to support community events, especially those focused on animal rescue. She also loves visiting her daughter, who is a nun at a convent in Texas.
How would you describe your guide dog? “JP is very sharp. He has a reliable speed and a good pull. He’s responsive and flexible – my work is different every day, and he adapts so readily to whatever the job brings us. We have two rescue cats, and he doesn’t bother them. He is also very good with other dogs. He’s surprisingly chill for a two-year-old dog! Many people remark on how well-behaved he is. He’s quite the professional. I recently had to give a very high-pressure presentation to a large audience, and JP just lay at my feet the whole time. I didn’t have to ask him; he just did it! On top of being such a good boy, he has a very handsome squishy face, too.”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “JP is my third guide dog from Guiding Eyes. There are a few things that differentiate Guiding Eyes from other schools for me – one is the superb graduate support. There’s always access to training support if a team encounters any problems or concerns. I’ve always had a quick response. Also, Guiding Eyes carefully selects each graduate’s partner dog based on their work situation, lifestyle, and needs. They know that this is not a one-size-fits-all situation, and all the dogs I’ve matched with have been able to travel well with me for work, and aren’t phased by city sights and sounds or public transportation. They have all brought genuine improvement to my life and independence. They’ve been such good matches.”
How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “Each dog I’ve had has enabled me to be independent in my travel for my work and allowed me to expand my comfort zone. Whether it’s accepting invitations to speak at conferences or just being more confident getting around in my personal life, I feel like I can let go of the fear of getting lost, which is sort of an ever-present undercurrent for me when I don’t have a guide dog. Having a guide dog brings support, safety, and confidence that a cane can’t. Working on and building the partnership and trust is unstoppable, and I really am so appreciative of the special relationship I have with JP.”
Were there any training highlights? “My training with JP was at home, which was different from my on-site training experience with my first two dogs. When my first dog, Gardenia, retired, I started training with the Yale the same week, but home training requires a great deal of flexibility and patience to wait for a suitable dog to be available. So, when I found out about JP, I was thrilled, but unsure if I still had the skills I needed for the training. Melinda, my trainer, worked out a schedule around a list of tasks I wanted to work on and places I needed to work, and provided a superior training experience for me and JP. In my position, I often get called to action on very short notice. On the day JP was scheduled to arrive, I was notified that our team was being activated for a mission the next day. Melinda was totally down with it. We had to be at the airport for about 10 days, and by JP’s third day on the job, he had met the governor of Maryland! During the day, we worked on the list of skills and practiced on public transportation. In the evenings, we worked on the mission that I was assigned to. Melinda worked with us through it all. We trained days, nights, and evenings, and she worked around the clock to make sure JP and I were ready for all we’d need to take on together.”
DOB: 10/6/2023
Litter ID: 2L323
Color/Breed: Black/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Male
Brood: Brio
Stud: Denny
Littermates: Luca, Morgan, Lennox, Lando, Lyric
Region: Remote
Regional Puppy Instructor: Leslie Stephens
Puppy Raiser: Bryan Carolin
Special Recognition: JP was named in honor of Guiding Eyes corporate partner, JP Morgan.
JP was a smart and friendly pup, who loved learning new things and playing with his four-legged pals. ~ Bryan Carolin
