Graduate Team: Debra and Gandalf
About the Team: Gandalf, a yellow male Lab; Debra’s 3rd guide from Guiding Eyes
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Training: June 2025 Home Training
Deb is a seasoned guide dog handler, receiving her first dog while in her junior year of college. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and Elementary Education, and after graduation, was employed as a social worker. Later, Debra devoted much of her time to homeschooling her three boys and one girl. She assisted her former husband with his vending stand and upholstery work, and did assembly work at the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind. Deb now has five grandchildren, and two of her sons live in Texas, while another son and her daughter live nearby. Deb is active in community and church groups and in local blindness groups. She belongs to the American Council of the Blind and the local chapter, Greater Louisville Council of the Blind. She was the State President of the Kentucky Council of the Blind for two terms, and President of Guide Dog Users of Kentuckiana for 8 years. Deb is an avid arts and crafts person who loves to knit and crochet, and also found great enjoyment in sculpture lessons. Deb returns for her third guide dog from Guiding Eyes, Gandalf. Her sister, who is also blind, is the handler of a Guiding Eyes guide dog, as well.
How would you describe your guide dog? “Gandalf is an 81 lb yellow, gentle giant. He is a loveable dog with a smooth, soft coat and a beautiful, large head, and he loves to be brushed. In harness, he is careful, cautious, very obedient, and adjusts very well to any changes in my walking speed. Gandalf had specialized training to deal with my balance issues. He matches my pace, slows down when I do, and speeds up when I do that too. Even in the house when he’s not working, if I stand up and feel a little unstable, when I put my hand out, he will be standing right beside me. He is very sensitive to my needs and balance issues. He is always right by my side. Susan did such a wonderful job training him for me. He is such a good guide and such a good boy. He is a real gem, and Guiding Eyes can be very proud of him. Melinda, our remote instructor, came out last week and was very impressed with him.”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “I heard about Guiding Eyes when I was about 12 years old, and my sister, who is also blind, met with Pete Campbell who worked with Guiding Eyes. . He was blind and came to our house with his big dog Jeb. I asked if I could walk with her, and he gave me the harness handle. After I walked across the room, I said, ‘That’s it, I want a guide dog.’ ”
How has a guide dog impacted your life? “Gandalf helps me be more physically fit, and walking with my dogs, I have more social experiences and make friends. I’m traveling safely, and I want to travel. I wouldn’t take these walks that I now take so easily with Gandalf. My dog is an extension of me and watches out for me so I can do what I want to do.”
Were there any training highlights? “I am really impressed with the Specialized Home Training. Gandalf was trained so well to deal with me and to understand my balance and speed issues, and the use of the support quad cane. It was great having Susan K. do my Home Training. The dog not only sees your neighborhood and your home but is also aware of and avoids pavement irregularities. One day, we went out for breakfast, and Susan walked behind me to see how Gandalf and I worked together. It went very well. The confidence Susan helps build in her students increases trust in your guide dog. Our days together were great.
DOB: 9/21/2022
Litter ID: 2G322
Color/Breed: Yellow/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Male
Brood: Oriana
Stud: Felix TSE
Littermates: Germaine, Gerry
Region: Richmond
Regional Puppy Instructor: Madeline Bruggeman
Puppy Raiser: The Houseknecht Family
Facebook: Richmond Puppy Raisers
Gandalf was our first pup we raised after taking a break due to Kim’s cancer treatments. His arrival marked a welcome return to normalcy in our lives. He had the most adorable eyes which caused anyone who caught his gaze to instantly melt. Gandalf was a frequent visitor to our local cancer rehab center and made fast friends there with the staff, one of whom is a fellow raiser and sitter – his girlfriend. Can we also say he has the coolest name? He is the embodiment of his wizard namesake: majestic and powerful, the largest dog we have raised to date, but also gentle and sweet. We look forward to hearing about his continued adventures with his new handler. ~ Karl and Kim Houseknecht
