Cindy and Gretel

Meet Graduate Cindy

Graduate Team:  Cindy & Gretel
About the Team:  Gretel: a female black & tan German Shepherd; Cindy’s 6th guide dog, (3rd Guiding Eyes)
Location: Mount Pleasant, Michigan
Training: March 2025 Home Training

Cindy lives in Michigan with her husband, two children, two Goldendoodles, and three cats. Now her guide dog Gretel joins this busy household. A dedicated caregiver for her elderly mother and two special needs children, in her free time, she enjoys dabbling in the culinary arts, particularly baking everything from candy to cakes and cookies! Cindy also loves listening to country and ’80s music and looks forward to experiencing each day with her guide dog, Gretel.

How would you describe your guide dog? “Perfection! Whoever matched us could not have done better. I feel like I won the guide dog lottery! I mentioned to my home interviewer that a German Shepherd was my son’s favorite breed. When Jim told me I was getting a German Shepherd, I was like ‘Are you kidding?’ She takes her work so seriously. She’s so gentle, and all I have to do is tell her ‘No, no, let’s do this,’ and she’ll understand. She enjoys a game of fetch, but she doesn’t like to bring it back to you! She’s very affectionate and sleeps in my room with me.”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “Initially, what made me decide to try Guiding Eyes was Ruby, a nurse who used to work there. I contacted Guiding Eyes after my last dog from another school was returned, and she was so reassuring and sweet. When I got my first dog from Guiding Eyes, Vista, I was so impressed with the training and how she worked that I never left! I thought about changing schools now that I’m in Michigan, but I want the best. If I want the best, I have to go to the best school. To me, Guiding Eyes is the best school out there. That’s why I keep coming back!”

How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “It has given me back my freedom. I don’t feel like I need somebody holding my hand all the time. It’s nice, because if we’re out, I’ll tell the kids where I’m going, and they can do what they need to do, then meet Gretel and me back there. Before, they would want to stay with me, but now I have Gretel, so we’ll get back to where we need to be. The companionship is amazing, too. You always have your best friend by your side!”

Were there any training highlights? “When my instructor Jim left, it was like saying goodbye to a friend. At the beginning, we got off to a rough start, but we became a lot closer. He asked me to try a route by myself, and Gretel and I had goofed some of it up. I was very upset, and when he got back to my house, I was crying. He told me, ‘You are not giving yourself enough credit. You completed the route, and you were able to fix it when you messed up.’ He was very reassuring.”

Meet Guide Dog Gretel

DOB:  1/10/2023
Litter ID: 6G23
Color/Breed:  Black & Tan/German Shepherd
Gender: Female
Brood: Mittzy
Stud: Flynn
Littermates: Gwen, Dondie, Glenna, Gussie, Gentry
Region:  NoVA-North
Regional Puppy Instructor: Katie Meuer
Puppy Raiser:  The Wydra Family
Facebook: NoVa North Puppy Raisers

From the Puppy Raisers…

Gretel is the first GSD we’ve raised, and – as we’ve often heard – she’s more Lab than Shepherd. Loving, funny, cuddly, Gretel’s the perfect pup! From exciting outings, to flying first class, to visiting CHS, Gretel impressed folks with her perfect behavior and welcome wag. Best wishes to Gretel and her new partner! ~ Paul and Deb Wydra

Photos of the Team…