Jessica and Jessie

Meet Graduate Jessica

Graduate Team:  Jessica and Jessie
About the Team:  Jessie, a female black Lab; Jessica’s 3^rd guide dog
Location: Eagan, Minnesota
Training: March 2025 Home Training

Jessica is from Eagan, Minnesota. Jess has been working at HyVee Supermarkets for three years and is a junior at Metropolitan State University, majoring in Community Disability Advocacy and Civic Engagement with an additional minor in Disability Studies. She will be a senior starting in May 2025 and starting pre-graduate studies in the fall semester, enrolling in the Master of Advocacy in Public Leadership program.  In her free time, Jess enjoys drinking coffee and relaxing and has found that with her new partner, Jessie, that’s also enjoyable outdoors, navigating and discovering so many new things. She is looking forward to going to many places with Jessie and having her accompany her on an upcoming All Paws On Deck cruise, which she is truly looking forward to! Jessie is Jess’s third successor guide dog from Guiding Eyes. She refers to their partnership as the Pawsome J Team. Jess has had two guide dogs from the Specialized Training Program, Nan and Matt, both yellow Labs. Jessie is her first black Lab and this is Jess’s second Home Training experience. 

How would you describe your guide dog? “Jessie’s sign name is J2. She’s a marvelous guide dog, and I’m more confident with Jessie. I have Usher Syndrome, which results in my deafness and vision loss. Jessie is brilliant and a quick learner, as she recognizes that I cannot hear and see that well. She will rub my lap to let me know that she needs something. She is an energetic and very motivated guide dog. Jessie likes to follow me around, letting me know that she’s right by my side. I’ve never had a dog that has done that before.” 

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes?  “I chose Guiding Eyes because of their reputation. They were recommended by my Orientation and Mobility instructor. I have built lasting relationships with many wonderful people who work at Guiding Eyes, puppy raisers, and graduates, especially the Graduate Council members. I couldn’t be more grateful for their excellent training methods and support with all of my dogs, especially for teaching me about each of my dogs’ needs so I can better understand how to work with them and develop better bonds with each one.” 

How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “I’m taking night classes, and before being matched with Jessie, it took me a long time to navigate to the curb to take Lyft home because I was very exhausted from classes. During home training, before a class, I taught Jessie how to locate the curb where we would be waiting later. I’ve got to admit I was nervous about this, but she found the curb that I had taught her, and I broke down in happy tears!  We’d found the curb and now we’ll go home directly from class with no problem at all!! This has been life-changing for me! I’m so PROUD of Jessie!! This shows how much I trust her. I can’t see anything in the dark, as I’m completely blind. I’m very grateful to have Jessie, and my energy has returned because of having a great guide dog again. It has been so much easier getting around, and it gives me confidence in navigating through the campus and wherever I go. I am truly very grateful for all the wonderful people who have trained Jessie and prepared her to be placed with me.” 

Were there any training highlights? “Jessie learned to target the vibratory Accessible Pedestrian Signals during training. This is a very important tool that we will be utilizing in our routine for identifying traffic signals before crossing the street.”

Meet Guide Dog Jessie

DOB:  4/14/2021
Litter ID: 3J21
Color/Breed:  Black/Labrador
Gender: Female
Brood: Gianna
Stud: Elrod
Littermates: Jacob, Jax, Jacklyn, Jennifer, Joey
Region:  Dutchess NY, Northern NJ
Regional Puppy Instructor: Elizabeth Vacchiano
Puppy Raiser:  Mary Gall, Addison Jones
Facebook: Dutchess NY Puppy Raisers
Facebook: Northern NJ Puppy Raisers

From the Puppy Raisers…

Jessie is a testament to perseverance and overcoming obstacles. She is a free spirit at heart and has learned to harness aspects of her nature to transform herself into the hard working and passionate dog that she is now. Jessie and I were certainly the adventurous type, we loved day trips to the mountains, museum outings, shopping at the mall, and taking on the big city. I was always impressed by how quickly she could transition between “fun” mode and “work” mode. As soon as that vest went on she meant business, she would always try her best and was eager to get it right. Jessie was my first dog that I raised and I never could have imagined what a fun, engaging, and inspiring time we would have together. Not only during our own time but the time we spent with other raisers, trainers, and the staff at Guiding Eyes. Working with Jessie and the team made me realize the importance of the job that we have as raisers and it motivated me to do my best and invest as much as I could into Jessie’s success. I am so impressed with the team at Guiding Eyes and how they have molded Jessie into the guide dog that she is now. I am so proud of Jessie and have no doubt she will be a fantastic guide dog and a loving companion to her handler. ~ Addison Jones 

Jessie was a sweet, intelligent puppy. She loved to play tug with us and our dog. She was very rambunctious, an eager learner, and a pleasure to work with. She learned to work with my daughter, who is in a wheelchair, and was fine with our four cats. She loved to meet new people and go for walks as she learned to heel and come. I enjoyed learning how to communicate with Jessie as she learned what I needed her to do. ~ Mary Gall

Photos of the Team…