LindaKay and Kate

Meet Graduate LindaKay

Graduate Team: LindaKay and Kate
About the team: Kate, a female black & tan German Shepherd, is Linda Kay’s 3rd Guiding Eyes dog
Location: Bonney Lake, Washington
Training: August 2024 Home Training

LindaKay and her husband, Steve, reside in Washington State with their Bernese Mountain Dog,  Nieceie, and three cats: Cynder, Lana, and Smokey. They have recently welcomed LindaKay’s new guide dog, Kate, into their family. LindaKay is a retired ASL interpreter and former nail salon owner, but she keeps very busy in her retirement. Linda Kay enjoys knitting and crocheting, and she is an accomplished baker who enjoys creating many confections, including specialty cookies, cheesecakes, and breads. She is an active member of her church and yarn work groups such as the Blind Knitters of Tacoma and the Bonney Lake Hooks & Needles Club. Additionally, she sells Paparazzi jewelry and is looking forward to putting some bling on Kate’s harness handle and bringing her to vendor shows.

How would you describe your guide dog? “She’s so smart. My husband, Steve, always said I’d never get a dog anywhere near as great as Campbell, but my Regional Instructor, Mike, said I could tell him that Kate tied for number one. When people ask what her name is we say, ‘Princess Kate.’ During training, we went to Costco and Mike noticed we had a fan club there with so many people waiting for my next guide dog. She’s phenomenal and everything I was hoping for in my third guide dog. She’s very affectionate too. When we’re sitting and watching TV she has a big bed next to where I sit on the couch. Steve will say, ‘Kate, can you get any closer?’ because she always lays with half her body across my feet.”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes?  “I did my homework when I was applying for my first guide dog. I met graduate Becky Barnes at a convention in Sun Valley, Idaho and she is the one who convinced me to go with Guiding Eyes. Campbell and Murphy were my first two wonderful guide dogs, both from Guiding Eyes. They always say they have your back, and you’re guaranteed a dog as long as you need one and can work one, so why wouldn’t I go back?”

How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “Having Kate has given me my independence and freedom back again. Everyone who knows me knows that I named my cane. His name was Slim, but he is better known as my tall, skinny walking partner. A cane can only provide so much, but a dog is your light in the darkness. She’s just all that! I couldn’t be happier. A big heartfelt thank you goes out to her puppy raisers, the Guiding Eyes staff, the kennel staff, and everybody involved. Without that whole family scenario we have at Guiding Eyes, we would not have the guide dogs that we have!”

Were there any training highlights? “It was our final day together and Melinda, my trainer, had not taken Kate’s graduation picture yet. So we went to a beautiful Japanese garden where I knew there were waterfalls, and we went on a mission to find one. Melinda took Kate over to the bridge and I was tasked with trying to get the picture! On one side of the bridge was the waterfall and on the other side were Koi fish that Kate was very interested in. Melinda caught her leash before she jumped in the water! One of her paws may have very well been wet!”

Meet Guide Dog Kate

DOB:  6/18/2022
Litter ID: S-6KK22
Color/Breed:  Black & Tan German Shepherd
Gender: Female
Brood: Mittzy
Stud: Usher
Littermates: Kiley, Kiara, Mishkin, Miller2, Kelsa, Kingsley, Kristen, Keoki, Kathleen
Region:  Capital NY
Regional Puppy Instructor: Kate Gardner
Puppy Raiser:  Ann, Julia and Caroline Halburian
Facebook: Capital NY Puppy Raisers

Special Recognition: Kate was named in honor of Katie Craven by her mother, Ruth Sidorowicz. 

From the Puppy Raiser…

There has never been a sweeter puppy than Kate. She truly is a pleasure and I was very lucky to have this special girl in my life. She is always up for any adventure and she never wavered. I did some wonderful socializations with her that I’ve never done before because she is so laid back and easy going. Kate is a people magnet and a great ambassador for German shepherds. She is happy to give everyone she meets puppy wags and kisses. She loves playing ball, hiking, swimming, running in the snow, long exercise walks and playing with her puppy friends. LindaKay will have the most loyal, loving companion for her many experiences and in life. I know Kate will bring endless joy. Congratulations and best of luck on this amazing new partnership. ~ Ann Halburian 

Photos of the Team…