Graduate Team: Janet and Anderson
About the Team: Anderson, a male yellow Lab; Janet’s 11th Guiding Eyes Dog
Location: Gloucester, Massachusetts
Training: May 2026 Home Training
Janet has been a longstanding handler of Guiding Eyes guide dogs for 40 years. She is a dedicated advocate for the DeafBlind community and was one of the founders of the Community Access Network more than 25 years ago. She continues to serve on its advisory council. The Community Access Network is funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and works to support accessibility and community engagement for DeafBlind individuals. Janet furthered her education by completing graduate coursework in adult learning within a psychology framework. During her long career, she taught Cultural Diversity using ASL (American Sign Language) and also taught Sign Language Interpreting at Northeastern University to students preparing to work with DeafBlind individuals. After experiencing years of declining vision leading to total blindness, while also living with hearing loss, Janet chose to receive cochlear implants to improve her quality of life. Janet enjoys walks for pleasure with her husband, Charlie, and they have enjoyed years of traveling together, accompanied by her guide dogs, to destinations including British Columbia, Vermont, and California. She’s also a great cook, which Charlie can attest to.
How would you describe your dog? “Anderson is a very sweet and gentle dog and is intelligent and sensitive. He’s an excellent guide, and he is connecting with me. He is a really good boy and loves to do obedience work like ‘call and response’, where I tell him to ‘stay’ and then go to another room. When I call him, he responds and comes running to me. My groomer calls him a big boy (he weighs 80 pounds).”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “When I came for my first guide dog, my mobility instructor knew the Director of Guiding Eyes for the Blind, at the time. His name was Geoff Locke.”
How has a guide dog impacted your life? “They’ve impacted many things in different ways. They have given me mobility and freedom to get back home, to school, to work, to teach at Northeastern. Anderson also gives me independence and the enjoyment of having a dog, going for walks, going out for dinner, and listening to music.’’
Were there any training highlights? “Andrea was my home trainer for Anderson, and she was the person who told me about ‘call and response’ training. He learns how to stay when he is told, and how to come to me when I call him – and he has learned that well. Another great idea Andrea had was to put reflector stakes, with a bell on each one, in specific places along my route. She attached a laminated note explaining why it was there. When on a walk with Anderson, I can say ‘forward to the bell’ and he will take me there, ringing the bell with his nose, to indicate where I am.’’
DOB: 8/16/2023
Litter ID: 6A323
Color/Breed: Yellow/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Male
Brood: Vanna
Stud: Gusto
Littermates: Annie, Alban, Almond, Army, Arabelle, Aztec, Atlas
Region: Cleveland West
Regional Puppy Instructor: Macy Nauman
Puppy Raiser: Gayle A. Papesh
Facebook: Ohio Puppy Raisers
Anderson was one of the smartest pups that I’ve raised for Guiding Eyes. He seemed to pick up and remember patterns easily. He’s a big snuggle bug and I will miss his big kissable face. After all his months of training, I’m happy that he finally has his person. Wishing them many happy years together. Safe travels always! ~ Gayle Papesh
