Graduate Team: Debbie and Quidly
About the Team: Quidly, a male black Lab; Debbie’s 4th Guiding Eyes dog
Location: Anoka, Minnesota
Training: June 2026 On-Campus
Debbie has been partnered with her fourth guide dog from Guiding Eyes, a black Labrador named Quidly. Originally from Illinois, Debbie met her husband in Indiana, and they now make their home in Minnesota. Before retiring, Debbie was self-employed as a vending machine operator, servicing snack, soda, and other vending machines. It was through this work that she met her husband, who worked in refrigeration. Throughout their 21 years of marriage, their dogs have been more like children to them, bringing companionship and joy to their lives. Debbie began experiencing limited vision at age 9 as a result of retinitis pigmentosa, a hereditary disease, and was declared legally blind at age 24. She is one of nine children, several of whom also have vision loss from retinitis pigmentosa. Debbie enjoys being in the kitchen cooking and baking, staying fit by walking and exercising, as well as reading and playing Bingo.
How would you describe your guide dog? “Quidly can be a goofball, but he’s a smart boy. He has a big head and currently weighs 75 lbs. He gets excited when he sees people he knows, but we’re working on that. He’s pretty settled in now. My husband is not well, and sometimes Quidly will go over and lay down next to him for comfort. Quidly is a curious dog, but one smart cookie. He knew our apartment after the very first time.”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “Everybody at Guiding Eyes is just so great. I love the trainers. My brothers chose another guide dog organization, but I knew I wanted to go to Guiding Eyes. I like their reputation for being a good school.”
How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “I got my first guide dog Dwight in 1986. Only one dog out of the four was female, but I prefer male guide dogs. I started using a cane at 24 years old when I was declared totally blind and again when I was between guide dogs, but my guide dogs have given me back a lot of independence.”
Were there any training highlights? “There was one occasion that we were walking through a parking lot of a small town nearby and we came to what I thought was a curb, but it was not. Quidly immediately came right in front of me to block me from falling. My trainer, Dan, was great, and he was right there, as well. He took me to a pharmacy in White Plains, where he helped me purchase a few things I needed. He just went above and beyond. The food was wonderful, and the servers were great, too. Don’t lose the chef!”
DOB: 4/10/2024
Litter ID: 4Q24
Color/Breed: Black/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Male
Brood: Ona
Stud: Ira
Littermates: Quirrell, Que, Qadira, Quentin
Region: Central NY
Regional Puppy Instructor: MeKalea Chambliss
Puppy Raiser: Brae Starratt
Facebook: Central NY Puppy Raisers
Raising Quidly will always be one of the great honors of my life! Looking back on memories of our journey together will always bring a smile to my face. Some of my most cherished memories were of Quidly and his brother Que. Que was also raised in my region and it was such a fun experience watching Quid’s sibling grow at the same time. Another one of my favorite things about Quidly was the nicknames we came up with. Quid, Wid, Wids, and Widdlesworth were some of my favorites! Quidly is a very special dog, and my wish for him is that he brings the same joy, laughter, and smiles to anyone who comes to know him. ~ Brae Starratt
