Darien and Abraham

Meet Graduate Darien

Graduate Team: Darien and Abraham
About the Team: Abraham: a male black Lab; Darien’s 2^nd guide dog
Location: Plantation, Florida
Training: March 2025 Home Training

Darien was born in Richmond, Virginia, and raised in Florida, where she continues to reside. In 2020, Darien lost her vision as a result of a medical condition causing pressure on her brain. Darien and her husband, Kimali, met and became close friends when they were young children. That lifelong friendship carried through to adulthood, and they have been married now for four years. Darien is currently taking weekly computer classes and anticipates pursuing advanced technical training. In their free time, she and her husband enjoy hanging out together, going to restaurants, and appreciating the mild Florida weather. Darien and her husband have a Standard Golden Doodle, Angel. Her guide dog, Abraham, and Angel love to play together, and when it’s time for meals or bed, Darien makes certain they are treated the same way.  Abraham or “Ham” for short, is her second guide dog from Guiding Eyes.

How would you describe your guide dog?  “Abraham is mellow, loving, gentle, and not rough at all. He is very sensitive to my emotional state and will come over to me affectionately when he feels that my mood is down, and senses that I am sad.”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes?  “I have a friend, Jose Lopez, who is also a guide dog handler and a graduate of Guiding Eyes. He recommended them. I previously had a guide dog, Elvis from Guiding Eyes, as well.”

How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “Scheduling when to get up and out of bed to accommodate Abraham’s needs was an adjustment. But I have gained a lot more confidence and independence having a guide dog. I am much more comfortable trying new excursions. I now walk across major intersections safely, and can grocery shop at Publix’s or even get to the store’s pharmacy, when necessary. This has been a 360-degree change for me. I am so much more confident. My life has been made a whole lot easier.”

Were there any training highlights? “We had home training with Louise this time. Working with her was great because she allowed me to follow my schedule, and we could focus on my route training. Abraham and Louise targeted my routes and my special needs, which made my training go smoothly. I loved my prior training experience at the school with my first dog, Elvis, even though I flew in and became sick with COVID on the plane. The nursing and food service staff took such wonderful care of me because I had to be isolated in my room for five days. The staff made it very comfortable for me. It felt like a family environment.”

Meet Guide Dog Abraham

DOB:  1/1/2023
Litter ID: 1A23
Color/Breed:  Black/Labrador
Gender: Male
Brood: Dana
Stud: Midnight
Littermates: Ashley, Argyle, Abu, Ambrie, Andre, Asante, Amiga, Amie
Region:  Eastern MA
Regional Puppy Instructor: Lisa Bumbalo
Puppy Raiser:  Rachael Bell, The Kapitz Family
Facebook: Eastern Mass Puppy Raisers

Photos of the Team…