Graduate Team: Emely and Floral
About the Team: Floral, a yellow female Lab; Emely’s 1st guide dog
Location: New Jersey
Training: May 2025, On Campus
Emely grew up in New York City and graduated from New York University in 2020, where she majored in International Relations with a minor in Peace and Conflict Studies. Following graduation, she worked with a nonprofit organization that assists unaccompanied immigrant children. This experience, combined with her interest in disability rights, sparked her motivation to pursue law school. Emely will be returning to Syracuse University College of Law this fall to complete her final year, accompanied by her guide dog, Floral. In her free time, Emely enjoys music, dancing, and occasionally indoor rock climbing.
How would you describe your guide dog? “Floral is really smart and very playful, and when she’s working, she focuses on her job. She has a little bit of a sassy personality and a mind of her own, but I can always get her to listen to me with the command touch. I wanted a dog that moves quickly, and she definitely provides that. When she’s ready to play, she lets me know by swinging her tail all around, and it’s a very difficult thing to miss.”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “I have met other graduates from Guiding Eyes, and when they spoke about the school, they talked about the ongoing support they received. I also like the veterinary assistance that the school provides and appreciate that they can help me if my dog gets sick or anything like that.”
How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “I notice a big change in my ability to walk faster. I naturally walk very quickly, and with her by my side, I am able to walk much more confidently. This summer I have been working in an office, and she accompanies me. I can ask her to follow someone on our team, and it is very easy for me to keep up if we are moving from one office to another.”
Were there any training highlights? “I really enjoyed the outings we did with our trainers. We would stop for bubble tea or coffee while we were doing our training. I also really enjoyed my classmates. We had a good group, where two already had previous guide dogs and two of us were experiencing it for the first time. I learned from the people who previously had dogs, and then it was nice to have the support of my other classmate, who was also a first-time handler. I felt I was not alone in the transition.”
DOB: 5/8/2023
Litter ID: 2FF23
Color/Breed: Yellow/Labrador
Gender: Female
Brood: Dawn
Stud: Ralphie
Littermates: Fawn, Filbert, Finesse, Future, Fable, Fudge, Fenlon, Fran, Finnegan
Region: Eastern MA
Regional Puppy Instructor: Lisa Bumbalo
Puppy Raiser: Amelia Myers
Facebook: Eastern MA Puppy Raisers
Active outings have always been Floral’s favorite, where she keeps moving and taking in the environment as she walks. She quickly became a pro at shopping and traveling, doing amazing on car rides and in busy areas. One of Floral’s moments that impressed me the most was at my college graduation. She settled wonderfully through a 3-hour ceremony, napping amongst the noise, walking across the stage confidently by my side, posing for photos, and politely greeting friends. I knew that day would be challenging, and Floral made me so proud by showing she could handle the work. I looked forward to her own graduation! Floral is the smartest, sweetest, sassiest, silliest pup who I know will continue to bring joy into the lives of everyone she meets. ~ Amelia Myers
