Holiday Message from Grad Council

Come one, come all, the holidays are here…
And the Graduate Council is spreading good cheer!

The dogs were alert, they worked through the snow,
leading their pals, the sleigh ready to go.

It’s loaded with joy,
It’s loaded with hope.
But most of all…
It’s loaded with gratitude!
 
The Council is thankful for all of our amazing guide dogs and for everyone who is a part of the Guiding Eyes family – from puppy raisers and dog trainers to staff, volunteers, donors, and fellow graduates. 

Holiday Message from Grad Council

IMAGE DESCRIPTION:

The holiday card features a red silhouette of Santa’s sleigh on the right side of the page against a white background. Leading the sleigh are ten pictures of Grad Council members with their dogs. Santa’s reins extends from right to left out to each of the images, which are framed in red and adorned with reindeer antlers.“Happy Holidays” is written in thick red cursive at the bottom left, with “From Your 2024 Graduate Council” in smaller, green print below. A stream of stars spreads below the sleigh and its festive crew. From left to right, the images are:

Melissa Carney, Community Outreach and Graduate Support Manager, Council Liaison

Melissa and yellow Lab Aron, at the head of the sleigh team, sit together in front of a red brick fireplace. Melissa is dressed in a festive black and gold sweater dress and drapes her arm lovingly around Aron.

Pat Leahy, Council President

Pat and yellow Lab Hogan stop at their local subway station in front of a green cedar tree decorated festively with a red bow. Pat, standing, wears a red and white Santa hat, while Hogan sits patiently beside him. Team Hogan is heading off for the work day.

Judy Mathews, Council Vice President

Judy, casual in her khakis and red floral top, is crouched next to her black Labrador guide dog Lyons, who is lovingly gazing up at her. They kneel in front of a black fence that is decorated with a wreath and an ornamented Christmas tree.

Alex Reese, Council Recording Secretary

Alex smiles and leans over to hug four-year-old yellow Lab Ballou in front of the Christmas tree. Alex wears a gray long sleeve pullover and white Christmas lights sparkle on the tree.

Pam McGonigle, Council Corresponding Secretary

Pam and Mary, a black Lab, lean towards each other while Mary lifts her nose to give the camera a sniff. Pam wears a maroon top and a Christmas tree’s strings of white lights shines behind them.

Mariana Canalizo, Council Member

Mariana and Amanda crouch on either side of Einstein, a yellow Lab. Einstein sports a dapper black-and-white suit with a yellow tie.

Tina Reisner, Council Member

Tina, wearing a green velvet coat with a purple and white scarf, and Kahlua, her German Shepherd, are ready for a night on the town at the Utah Jazz arena. The happy pair stand in front of a light post that is wrapped in bright blue lights.

Jose Lopez Masso, Council Member

Sitting together on the floor in front of a festively decorated Christmas tree, yellow Lab Louis kisses his very own Santa. Jose’s Micky Mouse Santa hat adds an element of fun for this team.

Tim Utzig, Council Member

Tim and Alisa pose for a close-up photo. Alisa, a yellow Lab, looks snug in a fuzzy beige hood with reindeer ears and antlers. Tim is wearing a purple Baltimore Ravens shirt and looks out from behind Alisa.

Ashley Townsend, Council Member

In front of a fir tree, Ashley stands next to Lolly, a black Lab. Lolly is wearing a candy-cane striped scarf and stands on a snow-dusted ground. A polar bear decoration can be seen in the background.