Elaine and Kenji

Meet Graduate Elaine

Graduate team: Elaine and Kenji
About the Team:  Kenji is a male, black & tan German Shepherd and Elaine’s 7^th guide dog.
Location: New York, New York
Training: September 2024 Home Training

Elaine is a long-time guide dog handler working with her 7th guide dog from Guiding Eyes, a male German Shepherd named Kenji. Elaine has worked in vision research and was the first totally blind woman to enter the field. During her career, she has presented and published her research findings at scientific conferences across the country and in peer-reviewed journals. Currently, Elaine resides in NYC with Kenji where they navigate the busiest streets with flair.

How would you describe your guide dog? “Kenji is gentle, friendly and fun! He is very eager to work, and nothing phases him. He has learned my quirks, which is a great help. For example, if he needs to answer the ‘call of nature’ while guiding, he simply keeps an eye out for a suitable spot between two parked vehicles and swerves to that location. Very nice of him!”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes?  “I applied to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, having toured the school after meeting a Guiding Eyes graduate and his dog. That was a long time ago, and each of my guide dogs since then have been Guiding Eyes dogs.”

How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “With my dogs from Guiding Eyes, I have traveled to and lived in other countries and earned college and graduate degrees. I have had two successful and demanding careers and am raising a litter of puppies, oops, I mean kids! Seriously though, there is no doubt in my mind that little, if any, of this would have been possible for me without my Guiding Eyes dogs.”

Were there any training highlights? “During training, we worked our way through dense crowds, hopped onto buses, swayed on subways, and strode down country lanes! Every new training day was a joy.”

Meet Guide Dog Kenji

DOB:  11/17/2021|
Litter ID: 2K321
Color/Breed:  Black & Tan/German Shepherd
Gender: Male
Brood: Shea
Stud: Eric
Littermates: Kingsley, Kraus
Region:  Bay
Regional Puppy Instructor: Cindy Tait
Puppy Raiser:  Cindy Tait
Facebook: Bay Puppy Raisers

From the Puppy Raiser…

As a puppy on program, Kenji was a good friend and companion.  He was a quick learner.  Calm when needed and ready to go when asked.  Kenji loved working with new raisers at classes, patiently waiting for them to get the command right.  He loved going into work everyday and especially happy when that brought new challenges like taking the bus or maneuvering through the City of Annapolis streets. I hope he brings you as much joy as he brought me. ~ Cindy Tait

Photos of the Team…