Graduate Team: Deborah and Everley
About the Team: Everley – a male black Lab, is Debbie’s 3rd Guiding Eyes dog
Hometown: Anoka, Minnesota
Training: September 2025 On-Campus
Debbie was born and raised in Illinois and now resides approximately 20 miles from Minnesota’s Twin Cities. Diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa during childhood, her vision declined over the years, leading to total blindness in 1974. This genetic condition also impacts other members of her family, including cousins and siblings. Debbie and her husband Steve have been married for twenty years. Rounding out their family is their seventeen-year-old cat, Tasha, who, according to Debbie, gets along fabulously with her guide dog, Everley. Debbie retired in 2019 from running a vending machine business and enjoys mentioning that Steve was her employee. Her hobbies and interests span from taking a hike to getting lost in a good book, as well as time in the kitchen, cooking and baking. She also enjoys participating in her local senior group and occasionally travels to Illinois and Florida to visit family.
How would you describe your guide dog? “Everley is very friendly and full of energy, and a good companion. He loves to snuggle.”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “I had three or four guide dogs from other schools that were all easily distracted. My relatives and friends recommended Guiding Eyes as their guide dogs weren’t distracted. I have since had two guide dogs from Guiding Eyes, first George and then Everest, who was recently retired.”
How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “Having a guide dog brings me companionship and independence. Everley enables me to go out and not worry about getting lost.”
Were there any training highlights? Chef Rob and host Peter were terrific. My primary trainer was Kat, whom I had previously worked with. She knew my needs and made my experience very positive. There were just four women in my group. We mainly worked around the town of Yorktown, including a three-mile walk down a path. I am not sure who was more worn out, Everley or me!”
DOB: 4/29/2023
Litter ID: 2EE23
Color/Breed: Black/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Male
Brood: Caprice
Stud: Arlo
Littermates: Essex, Ettie, Expo, Elle, Eagle, Enid
Region: Northern NJ
Regional Puppy Instructor: Monika Conrad
Puppy Raiser: Kathy L. Kyles
Facebook: Northern New Jersey Puppy Raisers
To say that I am proud of Everley is a huge understatement. From the moment we met, I knew that he wanted to be in charge and I had to let him learn that we both had an assignment and goal to reach. In puppy class, Everley’s energy was UNMATCHED! However, when he would be used for demonstrations, he hit it out of the park. Everley and I learned many lessons together and I am proud of both of us. I hope that Everley continues to work hard and enjoy his new life. ~ Kathy Kyles
