Kassandra and Sean

Meet Graduate Kassandra

Graduate Team: Kassandra and Sean
About the team: Sean, a male black Lab, is Kassie’s 3rd guide dog (2nd Guiding Eyes)
Location: Marion, Indiana
Training: April 2024 On-Campus

Kassie is a student at Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana, where she is pursuing a degree in human resources. Kassie and Sean live off campus, not far from Kassie’s mom, who has her beloved, retired guide dog, Kingsley. She is looking forward to traveling frequently with Sean, just as she had with Kingsley. Kassie is excited for Sean to join her on her annual trip to Pennsylvania. She’s also looking forward to visiting her friend Aliceson, another Guiding Eyes graduate, and her new guide dog, Gait. Kassie is an active member of the Marion Lion Club and enjoys her work as an advocate for service dog organizations.

How would you describe your guide dog? “Sean is quirky with a great personality, and he can be a little silly at times. I came from having Kingsley, who was like, ‘I have work to do, leave me alone while I do it.’ Sean’s personality is a complete 180 from Kingsley. He enjoys lounging in his crate and is so funny when he sleeps. At times, when he is fast asleep, he wiggles and whacks his tail. I like to think he’s chasing bunnies in his sleep!”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “My first dog was from another school and only worked for 2 years, unfortunately. I had a multitude of friends who were Guiding Eyes graduates, and they were sure I would be a great candidate. I knew they were the best of the best but thought the school would be hard to get into. When my first dog retired early due to health concerns, I reapplied but also applied to Guiding Eyes. When Melinda came out to do my home interview, it just felt right. For 9 months, I told everyone I was going to Guiding Eyes. It continued to feel right after I got Kingsley. There was always support. The trainers were great, and the staff was amazing. When Kingsley retired, they said the wait could be about a year and a half, so I wasn’t expecting the call as I waited to sign up for my college classes. I just stood in the parking lot and cried!”

How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “It’s easier to have a guide dog. I can breeze through things that I would struggle through without him. Getting to class is much easier than memorizing the whole campus. There’s a positive impact on other people. They come up and ask questions, and I have no problem answering them. It means going on adventures, like Hawaii or a sunset cruise with your guide dog! Those are the important little things that make this experience of a working guide dog so incredible. Without them, I probably wouldn’t be doing as much as I do.”

Were there any training highlights? “When I first met Sean! I knew I might get a male black Lab, like Kingsley. It weighed on me heavily; would this new dog be like Kingsley? Would his ears be the same? I thought if that was too much emotionally, I could go home. I wondered if this next guide would be the same in all the ways I remembered Kingsley. On our first walk, we passed by his trainer and I knew he wanted to go to them, but he kept going. He may have looked behind him, but he would still listen when I told him to keep going. Whereas Kingsley is an old, arthritic man now, Sean is a two-year-old bulldozer. I realized that I held a lot of judgment and had some preconceived notions in the beginning. I was able to overcome that. My trainer Michelle said we fit and would work it out. Encouraging me to have an open mind was huge. After that walk, I started realizing that this would work. I’ve had great experiences at Guiding Eyes and I’m confident they will continue.”

Meet Guide Dog Sean

DOB:  4/4/2022
Litter ID: S-6V22
Color/Breed:  Black/Labrador
Gender: Male
Brood: Okemo
Stud: Bosley
Littermates: Vega, Verona, Vida, Vespa, Verna
Region:  Monroe NY
Regional Puppy Instructor: MeKalea Chambliss
Puppy Raiser:  Anne McCabe, Jack Marlowe
Facebook: Monroe Puppy Raisers

Special Recognition: Sean was Special Named by Charles Firke and Miriam Kalichman in memory of Sean Kennan, a Guiding Eyes graduate and soldier, speechwriter, inventor, and sculptor/welder, who deeply loved his guide dogs.

From the Puppy Raiser…

As first-time raisers, we could not have asked for a better first pup than Sean! He worked hard but loved to have fun too. He touched the hearts of everyone he met and inspired a lot of inquiries about Guiding Eyes for the Blind. He loves all people and dogs included. Our time together really did fly by! We are so proud of him as he starts the next step in his journey as a Guide Dog. We wish for health and happiness for both Sean and his new family. ~ Anne Marie McCabe

Photos of the Team…