Hunter and Parfait

Special Recognition: Hunter and Parfait’s class training was sponsored by Anna Zeiler. 

Meet Graduate Hunter

Graduate Team:    Hunter and Parfait
About the Team:  Parfait – female yellow Lab; Hunter’s 2nd guide dog
Location:   Irwin, Pennsylvania
Training:   September 2024 On-Campus

Hunter earned a master’s degree in counseling from Pennsylvania Western University (formerly Edinburgh University). His academic pursuits included a practicum in a psychiatric clinic in Pittsburgh, PA., and a semester internship working with individuals with disabilities in the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Bureau of Blind and Visual Services. Hunter has been employed at BBVS for two years now, seeing clients, determining eligibility, and creating plans based on clients’ needs and goals. He coordinates and authorizes services for people from two counties. Hunter resides in a rural area, and when going to work, restaurants, or stores, he typically travels by bus or by using rides provided by Support Service Providers, which assists those with vision and hearing loss. He lives in close proximity to his parents, as well as his brother, sister, and 2-year-old nephew. He likes helping his brother and father with house projects. Hunter is a fan of audiobooks and enjoys being outdoors, whether hiking or taking walks with Parfait.

How would you describe your guide dog?  “Parfait has a playful side, and in the morning will bring me toys to play with. She is gentle, has a calm demeanor, and likes to be near people. She is also adaptable to different environments.  She enjoys running in my parent’s fenced-in backyard.  In harness, she is intelligent, a quick learner, and takes initiative. She is always ready to work, is goal-oriented, and has lots of drive. She takes me to places I want to go and remembers routes quickly, even if there is construction and detours.”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes?  “Eleven years ago, before I got Atlas from Guiding Eyes, I did research on the internet for many schools.  Guiding Eyes was very fast in their response, and they have a lot to offer, like good quality dogs, and I like the training staff. Everybody is very friendly. This time, Dan was my instructor, and the first time, when I got Atlas, I had Michelle. The trainers get to know you, and they know the dogs well. It’s a very home-like experience.  I appreciated the quick follow-up, and the support received after you leave the campus is amazing.”

How has a guide dog impacted your life?  “I have more mobility.  I can move more safely and efficiently.  With my cane, I can find objects, but a dog moves you around objects you may not have even known were there. With Atlas and now Parfait, it’s the feeling of having another being there, a feeling of companionship.  Parfait follows me around, just checking in with me.”

Were there any training highlights?  ”The food at the school is great, and it’s a pleasant home-like experience.  It’s more like a nice restaurant than a cafeteria. I also like the new ramp to the dining room better than the stairs. Dan and Michelle took two of us from class to New York City.  I wanted to see how Parfait would handle the city environment and a crowd of people.  It was a good training trip, and she did well.  We went on a hiking trail. She was familiar with hiking from her puppy raisers and was very adaptable. She also did very well on the night walk, visiting small towns, eating in restaurants, and doing ‘traffic checks’ to practice getting me out of harm’s way. She did very well and it was a very good experience.”

Meet Guide Dog Parfait

DOB:  7/19/2022
Litter ID: 4PP22
Color/Breed:  Yellow/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Female
Brood: Zelda
Stud: Gerald
Littermates: Patch, Peace, Pluto, Paul, Priscilla, Potter, Paddington
Region:  Bay
Regional Puppy Instructor: Cindy Tait
Puppy Raiser:  David & Sharon Jollie
Facebook: Bay Puppy Raisers

From the Puppy Raiser…

It was quite the honor to raise Parfait and have her as our daily companion. She loved going with us to the Bowie Baysox Games, Baltimore Zoo, the National Mall in Washington DC. She loved hiking in many of the local parks, backpacking in the New River Gorge National Park, Camping in New Hampshire, and swimming, kayaking on the Patuxent River. ~ David and Sharon Jollie 

Photos of the Team…