Julianna and Nettie

Meet Graduate Julianna

Graduate Team: Julianna and Nettie
About the Team: Nettie, a female black Lab; Julianna’s 2nd guide dog
Location: Princeton, New Jersey
Training: March 2025 On-Campus

Julianna is completing her undergraduate degree in politics with minors in classics and journalism at Princeton University. She will pursue a master’s program in Ancient Philosophy at Oxford University next year. She enjoys writing for the university’s newspaper and is involved with one of the eating clubs on campus. Despite the demands of her studies, Julianna knows the importance of community service and volunteers in her local community through Aquinas Institute, Princeton’s Catholic Campus Ministry. For three summers, she has gardened at Arlington House, part of the Robert E. Lee Memorial in Washington, DC. The produce harvested supports local community members in need.

Julianna loves staying active, whether hiking, swimming, or running. She and her guide dog Nettie, from the Running Guides Program, are the perfect match. Julianna also enjoys cooking, learning new recipes, and spending time with her friends. During breaks from the university, Julianna often spends time in the Princeton area with her parents and Maggie, her retired guide. They also occasionally travel to Korea to visit family. organizations

How would you describe your guide dog? “Nettie’s the best and super sweet. She is curious and loves to gnaw on things and check them out. She’s so intelligent when she’s working, finding obstacles and remembering a route after only taking it once. She is friendly with everyone, and when off harness, she loves to lick people. She keeps me in check when I’m hyper because she’s calmer. We balance each other out.”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “Initially, the running guide program is the reason I applied, but I came back to Guiding Eyes because I love the staff and how homey it is. Dan Weesner was my trainer both times, and he knows me super well, so it’s a full circle moment. He saw me grow up and knows what I need, so I enjoyed continuing that relationship with him and everyone else. Dan’s helped me at Princeton too, so I consider him a friend. It was such a flawless transition. I got to make brownies with Chef Rob while I was on campus, too, and it feels like summer camp.”

How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “It gives me so much more independence and confidence. We’re walking faster and not bumping into anything, like I would with a cane. It opens me up socially and confidence-wise with better posture, because a living being is there with me. She’s a friend in addition to being a guide. I can’t imagine going somewhere without her. It’s knowing she’s always there. She teaches me responsibility.”

Were there any training highlights? “Every day was so smooth. Because I’d had Maggie and the training already, it was a perfect training with Nettie. She met me where I was at, and she was with it, smart, and ready to go. Dan knew what I needed, and it was a perfect storm that came together with Nettie super excited to work.”

Meet Guide Dog Nettie

DOB:  10/23/2022
Litter ID: 6N322
Color/Breed:  Black/Labrador
Gender: Female
Brood: Quail
Stud: Baron
Littermates: Nabisco, Nutella, Nathan, Nifty, Neema, Neil, Neutron, Nevada, Nemoy
Region:  NoVA-North
Regional Puppy Instructor: Katie Meuer
Puppy Raiser:  The Wilson Family, Rachel Larrivee
Facebook: NoVa North Puppy Raisers

From the Puppy Raiser…

Nettie is a gentle, curious, and caring pup. She never failed to make a stranger smile, and I loved every moment of raising her. She was willing to learn, eager to work, excited to play, and always ready to nap. Her favorite activities growing up were GEB puppy playdates, long walks, trips to TJ Maxx to pick out new toys, and cuddling up after a long day’s work. I am so proud that she was selected for the Running Guide Program. Julianna will not only get an amazing guide dog and loyal running companion, but a trusted and loving best friend in Nettie. It has sincerely been such an honor to help prepare sweet Nettie for this. Best of luck to them both! ~ Rachel Larrivee 

We were looking for a puppy to start while waiting for a GSD puppy from a litter related to one we raised. Nettie came to us mid December and immediately captured our hearts with her sweet willing disposition. She was such a joy to have in the home and take to many places over the five and a half months she was part of our family. Knowing she would be going on to Rachel made it easier to transfer Nettie to finish. She will surely be a loving capable asset to her lucky partner. ~ Jane Wilson

Photos of the Team…