Gladys and Whitney

Meet Graduate Gladys

Graduate Team:  Gladys and Whitney
About the Team:  Whitney – a female, black and tan German Shepherd; Gladys’ 5th Guiding Eyes dog
Location:  Woodhaven, New York
Training:   April 2025 Home Training

Gladys holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master’s in School Counseling, both from Hunter College. Before giving birth to her daughter in 2007, Gladys worked for 14 years in a childcare center, accompanied by her guide dog. She worked with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. While working there, she spent a lot of time educating the children, as well as staff members, about guide dogs. Also, she has been invited to speak to pre-K and Kindergarten students about guide dogs at a charter school. Gladys has volunteered for 6 years at the Catholic Guild for the Blind, first as an aid to the ESL instructor, and then teaching Braille to blind and visually impaired adults. Currently, she volunteers at the Queens Community House, which offers a Friendly Visiting Program where Gladys connects with older adults through visits or calls. She shares experiences, plays games, or enjoys friendly conversations. For over five years, she has built relationships, including playing dominoes with one woman who has Alzheimer’s and reminisces about her teaching years. In June, Gladys will soon be attending another family member’s graduation, as her 17-year-old daughter receives her high school diploma. For fun, Gladys enjoys reading, listening to music, and taking walks with her guide dog Whitney.

How would you describe your guide dog? “Whitney is very intelligent, gentle, and she’s a great worker.  We are still getting acclimated to each other, and Whitney is getting used to my residential area.  We enjoy walking to the park, stores, and restaurants. She is very obedient, easy-going, and gets along with everyone.  At 68 pounds, she is long and tall.  In harness, she is a good worker and a great guide.”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes?  “I received my first dog at Guiding Eyes about 30 years ago, so I believe it was someone who told me about the school, and I gave them a call.  I liked that first residential training and have gone to Guiding Eyes for all my other dogs.  My husband was also blind, and we went to Guiding Eyes and attended our first class together.”

How has a guide dog impacted your life?  “With my guide dog, I am more independent and confident. In the short time that we have been together, Whitney has helped me emotionally during hard times as I deal with my husband’s death, which occurred a year and eight months ago. All of my dogs have been there for me and given me comfort, and made me feel good. A dog can sense if you are sad or anxious, and they can be there for you. Whitney and I enjoy walking through the neighborhood, 20 blocks or so.  Guiding Eyes taught me what a guide dog can do.”

Were there any training highlights?  “Michelle was my trainer, and since I live in Queens, we did some training in Manhattan, riding buses, subways, and practicing escalators and revolving doors.  We walked under the elevated subways, and Whitney was not bothered by motorcycles, fire sirens, dog distractions, or rain.  She was well behaved when we ate in a coffee shop, and Michelle was so kind and took me for lunch at a BBQ restaurant, on what would have been my husband’s birthday.  Whitney lay quietly beside me.  During our training, Michelle made sure that Whitney carefully guided me around furniture and objects, took me to the curb to cross a street, and backed me up if a car was coming before we crossed.  Some of the traffic lights have audible commands to make our crossing and training even easier.”

Meet Guide Dog Whitney

DOB:  3/14/2023
Litter ID: 1W23
Color/Breed:  Black & Tan/German Shepherd
Gender: Female
Brood: Emery
Stud: Hobie 
Littermates: Waltz, Woody, Waverly, Worthy, Wonder, Walker, Whispy
Region:  Eastern MA
Regional Puppy Instructor: Lisa Bumbalo
Puppy Raiser:  The Payne Family
Facebook: Eastern Mass Puppy Raisers

Photos of the Team…