Graduate Team: Deirdre and Booker
About the Team: Booker, a male Black & Tan German Shepherd; Deidre’s 10th guide & 3rd Guiding Eyes dog
Location: Tacoma, Washington
Training: June 2025 On-Campus
Deirdre is an Army veteran who served for 10 years before losing her vision due to an injury. She has been out of the military for nearly 40 years. Deirdre lived in West Virginia for 20 years, where she went to grad school and taught history. She now lives in Tacoma, Washington, and is involved in local issues, especially public transit and pedestrian safety. Deirdre’s hobbies include showing dogs (currently Toy Fox Terriers, one of whom is close to finishing his Grand Championship) as well as traveling and fiber arts. Booker is Deirdre’s tenth guide dog and third guide dog from Guiding Eyes.
How would you describe your guide dog? “Booker is amazing and is beyond outstanding as a guide dog. When he is not working, he loves puzzle toys and is a great companion dog. In harness, he is serious, reliable, very smart, learns quickly, and adapts so well to changes in what we do and where we go. We already had an unexpected traffic check when someone ran a stop sign, and he never blinked, just backed me up so we were safe. To paraphrase Sen. Cory Booker’s mother, Carolyn, “Behind every outstanding guide dog walks an amazed handler.”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “I had German Shepherds from a previous school, which has since dropped GSDs from its program. I knew that Guiding Eyes had German Shepherds, and after researching several schools, I knew that GEB would be the best fit for me.”
How has a guide dog impacted your life? “I think independence and confidence are the most important things. I can do anything I need to do; the dogs are so well-trained. I have a backup when doing things like crossing the road. These dogs understand so much, and they make getting around easier. I’ve even been to Europe with my dog, and I’m hoping to go to Korea next year.
Were there any training highlights? “I had a great experience training at Guiding Eyes. My instructor, Dan, was wonderful, as were the staff, the kitchen staff, and Chef Rob. While at the school, Booker and I went on a train and to the mall, where we did training on the escalator. We ate at restaurants, walked around Yorktown, and practiced traffic checks.”
DOB: 4/3/2023
Litter ID: 6BB23
Color/Breed: Black & Tan/German Shepherd
Gender: Male
Brood: Duchess
Stud: Kodiak TSE
Littermates: Beau, Barkley, Bri, Bjorn, Bear
Region: Remote
Regional Puppy Instructor: Leslie Stephens
Puppy Raiser: Mallory Wollerman
