Graduate Team: Kimberly and Quake
About the Team: Quake – a black male Lab, Kimberly’s 2nd guide dog, 1st from Guiding Eyes
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Training: September 2025 On-Campus
Kimberly recently began working as a receptionist at the non-profit Big Brothers Big Sisters, where she enjoys greeting visitors while supporting a mission she deeply believes in. Volunteering has always been a significant part of her life. She has assisted at the League for the Blind and Disabled, an independent living center, and currently serves as Vice President of the Workers for the Blind. Many years ago, before receiving her first guide dog, Kimberly and her family raised a dog for a service dog organization. Although the dog did not become a service animal and was adopted by her family, the experience gave Kimberly an appreciation for the dedication required to socialize future service dogs. Now an empty nester, Kimberly shares her home with Quake and a cat who kept appearing on her doorstep. After confirming the cat was unclaimed, she adopted it, and it has become best friends with Quake. Kimberly enjoys seeing how the two of them interact with each other.
How would you describe your guide dog? “Quake is the best. He is a big boy with a sweet laid laid-back personality. He loves his toys. When we come home, he runs and finds a toy, ready to play. I have never heard him bark. In the mornings, if he needs to go out, he comes into my room and lays his head on me and looks at me, wagging his tail. At work, he just lies by my desk, and most people don’t even realize he is there. Once in harness, he is all business. It’s amazing. He is so smart and quickly learned the routes in my neighborhood.”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “I heard of Guiding Eyes from people who had received dogs from them and were very happy with the experience. I also heard that they have a very good student-to-teacher ratio. I had never been to New York, so I thought, why not give it a try?”
How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “I feel so much more confident with a guide dog by my side. I am less hesitant to go on walks. I enjoy walking, and with a guide dog, I feel much more comfortable walking trails alone. I have been without a guide dog since 2019, and so it has been great getting back to moving more freely.”
Were there any training highlights? “The entire process was so positive. The trainers and Chef Rob were fantastic. It was a small class, and it was easy to get to know everyone. I liked how when a new staff member entered the room, they introduced themselves, so we knew who they were. I was so impressed with the facility. I appreciated how much thought had been put into the remodeling of the room. They have figured out the contrasts between white and black. There were a few different types of lighting. It was obvious that a lot of thought had gone into planning the layout. At graduation, I got to meet Quake’s raisers. They are a wonderful family. The boys told so many stories about raising Quake.”
DOB: 7/14/2023
Litter ID: 3QQ23
Color/Breed: Black/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Male
Brood: Juniper
Stud: Perry
Littermates: Qbert, Quartet, Quiz, Quinnah
Region: North Carolina
Regional Puppy Instructor: Jennifer Thurman
Puppy Raiser: Ann B. Kastner, The Oliver Family
Facebook: North Carolina Puppy Raisers
Quake was always calm, cool, and collected; nothing ever phased him. Every challenge we gave him, he faced with confidence. He was a rockstar who never failed to impress us. He quickly let us know that our home was the right place for him, especially as he and Vale, our released GEB pup, became the best of friends. They spent their days curled up together in dog beds far too small for the both of them. But Quake’s love didn’t stop there; every night, without fail, he gave love and goodnights to his human siblings. We hope he continues to shine and that he keeps showering you with the same love he gave us. ~ Kim Oliver
