Graduate Team: Dan and Lucia
About the Team: Lucia, a female yellow Lab; Dan’s 2nd Guiding Eyes dog
Location: Cleveland Heights, OH
Training: January 2026 On-Campus
Dan is the Assistant Director of Disability Services at Case Western Reserve University. Dan has been married for the past three years, and he and his wife enjoy traveling. Dan was declared legally blind in 1999 due to a detached retina and retains limited residual vision. He recently received his second guide dog – and his first from Guiding Eyes – a female yellow Labrador named Lucia. Dan and his family also share their home with Waffle, a husky/pit bull mix who is a beloved family pet. Lucia is now part of the family and has restored the independence that Dan needs for an active lifestyle.
How would you describe your guide dog? “Lucia is a wiggle butt. She is an amazing guide dog. I take both public transit and paratransit to/from work, and Lucia handles that wonderfully. She is very smart. At a recent military funeral, there was a 21-gun salute. Lucia did fine without getting startled at the loud noise.”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “I was looking into the top schools for guide dogs. I like the services that Guiding Eyes provides. The training covered everything, including taking buses, the train, and walking around busy areas.”
How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “Having a guide dog has made me more independent. I waited 3 years between my first dog and Lucia. During that time, I went back to using a cane. I am a fast walker, and the streets of Cleveland can be very rough and uneven. I was going through a cane every 6 months. Now, with Lucia, she stops when there is a change in the sidewalk’s elevation. My wife and I like to travel, which includes hiking. It was important that I receive a dog that would help me handle the fast walking, hiking, and navigating metropolitan areas.”
Were there any training highlights? “My first dog, Mickey, was with me until he was 13 years old. He came from another guide dog organization who at the time was able to provide a dog in a shorter amount of time. With my second dog, Guiding Eyes was able to provide the full versatility of what I needed in my life from a guide dog.”
DOB: 3/23/2024
Litter ID: 1L24
Color/Breed: Yellow/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Female
Brood: Edwina
Stud: Soldier
Littermates: Leilani, Lulu, Laly, Levi, Luke, Lieutenant
Region: Central NY
Regional Puppy Instructor: MeKalea Chambliss
Puppy Raiser: Mary Oonk, Mary Blatz
Facebook: Central NY Puppy Raisers
Congratulations, Lucia! She was a wonderful pup to raise–loving and spunky and always willing to try new things. May she live a long and healthy life and share many adventures and special moments with her new partner! ~ Mary Blatz
Congratulations Team Lucia! Lucia was a happy pup who always put her best paw forward. This silly, happy girl was up to any challenge and a true hard worker. Lucia was a ground breaker in the Central NY region as we presented about guide dogs and service dogs to medical students and young medical professionals at a local hospital. Her affable nature made her a hit wherever we went. Wishing Team Lucia all the best! ~ Mary Oonk
