Graduate Team: Janet and Madison
About the Team: Madison, a female yellow Lab, is Janet’s 5th Guiding Eyes dog
Hometown: Hastings-on-Hudson, New York
Guide Dog Mobility Instructor: Nikki Wentz
February Home Training
Janet holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in English Language and Literature. After working in Education, she went to work for the County of Westchester in New York State. Janet recently retired from a 40+ year career in Constituent Services for the Westchester County Executive office. She has been a volunteer at her church, teaching adult religious education, and is also a musician who plays guitar, sings, and writes music. As part of a school program coordinated by the Westchester County Office for People With Disabilities, “Learning from our Differences”, Janet is a speaker, sharing information with students about visual impairment. Her guide dog is always of great interest to the students!
How would you describe your guide dog? “Madison is very calm, cuddly and has a sweet disposition. Everyone loves her! As a guide, she is gentle, smart, and responsive and allows me to travel at a good pace. She gets along well with my 11 year old retired guide, Freedom.”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “As my vision continued to deteriorate, I got my first guide at the age of 47. After applying to Guiding Eyes and another guide dog school, I chose Guiding Eyes because I preferred the Labrador Retriever breed. Although I recently retired, Madison and I are busy every day. Whether it’s errands or lunch with friends, we are often on-the-go. I am working on recording a CD with friends, and Madison is very interested in my guitar and enjoys the music.”
How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “Having a guide dog has been phenomenal! Each guide dog has given me independence, confidence, and comfort. My dogs have afforded me many opportunities to work and travel. I feel much safer and therefore prefer to travel with a dog versus a cane I have enjoyed travel with each of my dogs, whether it be a cruise, or visits to the dogs’ puppy raisers. I appreciate the opportunity to keep the connection to the puppy raiser and the sense of community formed around the love of each dog.”
Were there any training highlights? “With each of my guide dogs, I have participated in the Home Training program. Training at home works best for me. I really like the ability to work with my new guide in my local surroundings from the beginning. It is amazing to watch the dog problem solve as they become familiar with new places. Madison loves to guide me up steps. On an outing during training, she got her wish, and we climbed the steps at a local veteran’s memorial and our trainer, Nikki, took our picture!”
Madison was my 19th pup raised for GEB. I have raised some challenging pups through the years. Madison can be described as my sweet sweet puppy. Even as a young pup, she was always calm and confident. She liked going places and she easily went on errands, restaurant, and appointments. She especially loved play dates with other puppies and visiting her farm animal friends. I cheer her on in her next journey and know she is loved by her second human partner- Janet. Hugs and kisses to you Madison. We are so proud of you.
Honey Weiss, Puppy Raiser of Madison
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