Graduate Team: Kevin and Jersey
About the Team Jersey, a male yellow Lab; Kevin’s 2nd Guiding Eyes dog
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Training: August 2026, On-Campus
Kevin is a passionate advocate for the independence and freedom his guide dogs have given him. After losing his vision due to diabetes and being declared legally blind in 2010, he was matched with his first Guiding Eyes dog, Baxter. Now retired, Baxter lives with Kevin’s mother. Kevin’s newest guide dog, Jersey, continues that partnership and companionship. A dedicated animal welfare advocate, Kevin most recently worked at an animal shelter. In his free time, he enjoys listening to audiobooks, watching movies, and playing fetch in the yard with Jersey.
How would you describe your guide dog? “I would describe Jersey as headstrong and determined! He takes his work seriously when he’s in harness. My apartment building has 12 floors and I live on the 10th. Within the first week of being here in Daytona, Jersey had already learned exactly where my apartment was and could lead me to it on our floor. Jersey also likes to play tug of war. Overall, he is calm and playful, even when he’s out of the harness. He doesn’t go too far from what he’s supposed to be doing, except when my brother comes to visit me. He gets excited and runs around in circles. On the first night he was with me, he was on the mat next to my bed, but then he jumped up on the bed and now that’s where he sleeps! He’s a good boy!”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “I did some research and spoke with a lot of people I knew who had guide dogs. Everyone said great things about Guiding Eyes for the Blind. I also looked into the various training techniques and how these techniques would translate into the dog’s work. I learned that the methods Guiding Eyes uses foster the dog’s own judgement, which I think is so important to the relationship and building trust in the handler. Also, Guiding Eyes is in New York, and although there’s travel involved, I have family and friends in New York I can visit. Guiding Eyes also helped me feel very comfortable with the process of getting a guide dog and that was very important to me. It’s funny because I was originally interested in getting a German Shepherd, but I’ve ended up with Labradors and they’ve been amazing!”
How has having a guide dog impacted your life?
How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “Having a guide dog has opened my eyes to my environment. A cane and a guide dog are so different and the bond between the human and the animal is a very big part. A cane can only tell you the next step, but a guide dog can tell you to look out. I’m so grateful that my dog can stop me and take me around obstacles I might not know about with a cane, until it’s too late. When I was training with my first dog, Baxter in New York City, doing a walk from Grand Central Station to a restaurant, there were a few instances where shops had open doors into the sidewalk with stairways leading to their basements. Baxter took me right around them. If I had been using my cane, I think I may have fallen in! Personally, my dog also helps me as a companion. It just improves your state of mind. There is something beautiful about taking care of a dog that helps you feel positive; that powerful connection between a human and a dog.”
Were there any training highlights? “I am not much of a classroom kind of person. Anything with ‘school’, I’m sleeping! But I loved this group. We sat and talked and laughed and learned the topics as a group. Rather than feeling like a class, it was a lot more like just talking and allowing everyone to be themselves. This helped a lot. Everyone had a great sense of humor. I love the fact that Guiding eyes focuses on the training while also allowing everyone to be who they are. It is a very positive and relaxed environment with an amazing workout room – and the food was so good! There had been some changes to the layout since the last time I was there, but it was still very easy to find my way around. I felt very comfortable there.”
DOB: 7/21/24
Litter ID: 3JJ24
Color/Breed: Yellow Labrador Retriever
Gender: Male
Brood: Queenie
Stud: Gerald
Littermates: Janice, Julie, Judy, JoJo, Justin (Grover)
Region: Bay Puppy Raising Region
Regional Puppy Instructor: Cindy Tait
Puppy Raiser: Lynne Spalding
Facebook: Bay Puppy Raisers
Special Recognition: Jersey was Special Named by Marc and Laurie Rovner in memory of a very special dog named Jersey, who was Marc’s sister Randi’s beloved pet. Randi shares: “Though he is no longer by my side, the spirit of my Jersey will live on through this Jersey, as he embarks on this deeply meaningful next chapter.”
After raising our first GEB pup, we didn’t think we would ever get as attached again…then along came Jersey. He is a sweet happy dog that seems to always be smiling. Jersey is also very smart and learns quickly, making him an absolute joy to raise! Whether we were relaxing at home or out on an adventure, Jersey was happily right there with us. He will truly make a wonderful guide dog and companion. This special dog will forever be in our hearts. ~ Steve and Lynne Spalding
