Courtney and Pinky

Meet Graduate Courtney

Graduate Team:  Courtney and Pinky
About the Team:  Pinky, a female, black Lab; Courtney’s 3^rd guide dog, and 1^st from Guiding Eyes
Location: Portland, Maine
Training: April 2025 On-Campus

Courtney is a Blindness Rehabilitation Specialist with five years of experience at the State of Maine Division of the Blind, developing programming for youth with vision loss. She hails from New England, growing up in Connecticut and attending Middlebury College in Vermont, where she earned her bachelor’s degree. She later obtained a master’s degree in social work from the University of New England in Maine. Courtney is a busy mom of two sons, aged 10 and 12, with two cats and guide dog, Pinky, rounding out her family. Courtney enjoys exploring her hometown of Portland, as well as singing and reading. She values the trust and the bond developing between her and Pinky, and the increased confidence that enhances her daily life.

How would you describe your guide dog? “Pinky is remarkable!  She is an excellent worker, and I know she enjoys working because her tail wags the whole time. She loves to target things and is always learning. Pinky has a gentle demeanor and is very adaptable.  Thankfully, she is comfortable with the busyness  of a household with children!”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes?  “Guiding Eyes is a school with a long-standing and excellent reputation. I heard many success stories from other clients. I liked that Guiding Eyes offered Home Training, although I did ultimately decide to train on campus.”

How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “As a mom, it is important to me that my kids know I am independent. I may do things a little differently, but I can do anything! In the short time I’ve had Pinky, my boys have learned a lot about my partnership with her. The teamwork between us instills a new level of confidence beyond what I experienced as a cane user. With Pinky as my partner, I am a more confident traveler. I feel liberated to explore new places and routes. I trust Pinky to keep me safe.” 

Were there any training highlights? “I had a wonderful experience training at the Guiding Eyes campus. The environment was very welcoming and I felt cared for the whole time. The instructors were supportive and knowledgeable. Although training is hard work, they managed to make it fun too.  Initially, I thought I would prefer to train at home, given my responsibilities there. However, I trained on campus and as a result, I was able to quickly bond with Pinky and completely focus on learning. Toward the end of the training, it was tailored to individual needs. I opted to go on a trail walk with Pinky. I enjoyed it so much, and it was great for me to realize I could work with Pinky in the woods. A highlight was definitely meeting Pinky’s trainer and puppy raiser.  Her puppy raiser is a college student who drove all the way from Ohio to attend graduation! It was powerful to learn about the work and dedication that went into making Pinky the amazing dog that she is. I appreciate meeting these special people and the chance to keep in touch with them.”

Meet Guide Dog Pinky

DOB:  2/20/2023
Litter ID: 8P23
Color/Breed:  Black/Labrador
Gender: Female
Brood: Onyx
Stud: Watts
Littermates: Pearl, Phoebe, Parsely, Pedro, Petunia, Paco, Primo
Region:  Columbus
Regional Puppy Instructor: Leslie Stephens
Puppy Raiser:  Alex Knowles
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/guidingeyesosu/

From the Puppy Raiser…

Pinky wasn’t always an easy pup, but that honestly made the moments when she did something right feel even sweeter. The first time she checked in with me instead of chasing a squirrel brought me so much joy – it made all those hours of training with animal distractions completely worth it. She genuinely seemed to love just being with me and setting off on new adventures. As she matured, she became my constant companion – you rarely saw Alex without Pinky. She is such a sweet and empathetic pup; it was like having a best friend by my side. Pinky always knew the perfect moment to curl up in my lap, (she’s a lap dog at heart), or impress me with a newly learned skill. I couldn’t have asked for a better pup for my first time raising; she truly changed me for the better. ~Alex Knowles

Photos of the Team…