Irma and Wonder

Meet Graduate Irma

Graduate Team:  Irma and Wonder
About the Team:  Wonder: female German Shepard; Irma’s 3^rd guide dog
Location: Austin, Texas
Training: March 2025 Home Training

Irma is originally from Mexico and attended school in McAllen Texas, where she earned a degree in early childhood development.  Since 2006, Irma has called Austin home. She has a busy teenage daughter and enjoys an active lifestyle herself, including running, cycling, and yoga. Irma strongly believes that physical activity leads to greater self-awareness and improved balance and posture.  She works for the State of Texas as a specialist for older individuals with blindness and vision loss. In this role, Irma develops plans for independent living and vocational rehabilitation.  In her leisure time, she enjoys listening to audiobooks and is looking forward to traveling more in the future.

How would you describe your guide dog?  “Wonder is wonderful! She is bright, loving, witty, focused and energetic.  She thrives on working.   Wonder is very target-oriented.  I have learned that if I slow down just a bit and am patient, Wonder will pause to show me everything! She enjoys being active as much as I do, so we are a perfect match.  She has been a rock star at the gym where I cycle.  The environment is loud, so I got her noise-canceling headphones.  She wears them and really seems to enjoy being in a busy and fast-paced place.  We have been going to my office twice a week.  She does great there, but similar to me, I can tell she prefers to be out exploring stores and the neighborhood.”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes?  “In my work as a specialist for older individuals with vision loss, I attend conferences and have met many students from Guiding Eyes.  I consistently hear how wonderful Guiding Eyes is; specifically, the quality of the dogs and the professionalism of the organization.  The running guide program attracted me as well, as a way to support my active lifestyle.”

How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “The independence I get from having Wonder is very liberating.  I love that I am never alone, yet do not have to rely on a sighted guide.”

Were there any training highlights? “A week into the training, we were in the busy, vibrant area of Austin known as Congress Avenue. Wonder and I were working really well together at a relaxed pace. Just as I sensed how natural it felt, my trainer Mike commented that Wonder and I looked great. Wonder and I were checking in with each other, and she no longer was looking to Mike for confirmation but instead was communicating with me.  We have been going to the track to build up Wonder’s stamina. The track work has been going really well, and I look forward to being able to run outside with her.  Another highlight was getting to talk with Wonder’s puppy raiser.  I commended her on Wonder’s perfect house manners.  I told her how much I appreciate the work she has done to make Wonder a successful guide dog.”

Meet Guide Dog Wonder

DOB:  3/14/2023
Litter ID: 5W23
Color/Breed:  Black & Tan/German Shepard
Gender: Female
Brood: Emery
Stud: Hobie
Littermates: Whitney, Waltz, Woody, Waverly, Worthy, Walker, Whispy
Region:  NoVA-North
Regional Puppy Instructor: Katie Meuer
Puppy Raiser:  The Wilson Family
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/geb.novanorthregion/

From the Puppy Raiser…

Wonder has a perfect name as she is just that and has been from the day she was born. Thanks to the excellent extra care at the Breeding Center she was able to grow from half size to being big enough and healthy to be put on program. Wonder has continued using her willingness to please and desire to work throughout our puppy raising experience. While Wonder seems happiest when working, she has also been quite happy to host many regional play dates or other pups on a sit. Her favorite house guest was her mother who visited with her foster. Wonder is a super snuggler as well as a fun sweet worker. It’s a lovely combination and a credit to the breeding program. We hit the jackpot getting her special instructor too and now this lovely match. I really feel lucky to be part of the journey and look forward to hearing how the future evolves. ~ Jane Wilson

Photos of the Team…