Graduate Team: Jason and Yodel
About the Team: Yodel, a black male Lab; Jason’s 3rd Guiding Eyes dog
Location: Rochester, New York
Training: October 2025 Home training
Jason lives in upstate New York with his partner and his 15-year-old daughter, Seraphina. He draws additional support from his parents and younger brother, who live nearby. In his teens, Jason sustained a traumatic brain injury, which resulted in cortical blindness. He went on to attend Bishop Kearney High School in Rochester, as well as schools in Webster, New York, and Boston, and completed rehabilitation at the May Institute to address his TBI. Jason remains active despite a painful joint condition and enjoys bowling, playing goalball, and participating in blind fencing. He is exploring a range of business opportunities – such as Blind Vendor Programs – drawing on his knowledge of the Randolph-Sheppard Act, as well as the micro market programs and licensing agencies available in each state. Jason is grateful for his guide dogs and the independence they have provided. He makes it a point to thank everyone at Guiding Eyes and he appreciates all that they have done.
How would you describe your guide dog? “Yodel is a very cerebral and smart guide dog, and he works in a very good way. When not working, he is loving and cuddly. In harness, he is very smart. For instance, when I am bowling, he leads me to the 2 lanes that I use, takes me to my chair, and back up the steps to pick up my returned ball to approach and bowl again.”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “I was familiar with someone who attended Guiding Eyes to receive a guide dog. The right school is important, just as brain injury programs aren’t the same. My cortical blindness makes for a unique combination that Guiding Eyes is able to accommodate through training and a guide dog geared towards my needs. All my experiences with Guiding Eyes were good.”
How has a guide dog impacted your life? “The biggest impact for me is my independence to be the best person I can be. For me, that was fencing in California, and I went there with Yodel. There is also a blind fencing delegation planning a trip to France. I am the Executive Assistant Director of the governing body of USA Blind Fencing. It was recently incorporated as a 501(c)(3). In addition, my guide dogs instantly helped me become cooler with my daughter and more lovable, and we communicate better now. It has been great for our relationship.”
Were there any training highlights? “I had a home training with regional instructor, Rivi. I walk 20 minutes to the gym, and Yodel stops at everything. The training he received prevented me from being hit by a car. When we go to the gym, he knows my routine with different machines. He walks me to each one and sits and chills, and waits when I go into the sauna, then he walks me home. I requested certain training details with my instructor, Rivi, and she worked at my pace and was great. I can’t say enough good things about training with Rivi or about Yodel.”
DOB: 8/15/2023
Litter ID: 3YY23
Color/Breed: Black/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Male
Brood: Goldie
Stud: Yorktown
Littermates: Yumi, Yugo, Yosemite, Yeats, Yen
Region: Delmarva
Regional Puppy Instructor: Cindy Tait
Puppy Raiser: Betsy Anne Vincent, Jordyn Rubin, Brielle Yencik
Facebook: Delmarva Puppy Raisers
Raising Yodel has been an incredible honor! As first-time puppy raisers, we couldn’t have asked for a better pup. From the moment we picked him up at 4 months old, we knew he was destined to be an amazing guide dog. Whether he was attending classes at the University of Delaware or splashing around in his kiddie pool, he never failed to entertain and amaze us all day and every day. Yodel is truly the most hardworking, goofy, and lovable dog, and we’re so proud that he gets to share all the love he gave us with Jason, his new forever best friend. We love you, Yodel, and can’t wait to hear about all the adventures you and Jason will have together! ~ Jordyn Rubin and Brielle Yencik
