Thank you to our generous June Graduate Sponsors…
“Congratulations to the June graduating class and guide teams. Healthy Vision Association is proud to support Guiding Eyes and all the great work you do.”
Healthy Vision Association Charity Fund
“We celebrate all of the graduates this day. We appreciate all of your perseverance to arrive at this point in your journey with Guiding Eyes. We dedicate our shared sponsorship of this particular graduation to the memory of Kate Fanti. She was an enthusiastic Guiding Eyes volunteer who brought the understanding of the important mission of Guiding Eyes to WCDNF. She brought Omar to a club meeting. We miss her and we believe that her giving, friendly manner helped with the preparation of the Guiding Eyes puppies. She often shared photos and anecdotes about her very special puppies at club meetings.”
Women’s Club Danbury/New Fairfield
Graduate Team: Linette and Harriet
About the Team: Harriet, a female black Lab, is Linette’s 5th Guiding Eyes dog
Hometown: Albany, New York
Guide Dog Mobility Instructor: Laurel Sheets
Linette is an experienced guide dog user, who upon retiring her fourth guide Adeline, returns to Guiding Eyes for Harriet. She is employed at a facility for the blind that manufactures products such as DOT safety vests and handles the assembly of other items, like drug testing kits. She loves spending time with her two grandchildren, who are 7 and 10 years old and live nearby. She enjoys socializing with friends, listening to 1970’s music, and swimming as often as she can.
How would you describe your guide dog? “A sweetheart! She’s a hardworking, determined and sweet lady. She’s very protective and caring of me. We call her ‘grandma’ because if you talk for too long while she’s waiting, she tends to lie down to let you know she’s settling in for a nap! It’s been a perfect match and we work so well together.”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog at Guiding Eyes? “I’ve always had very good luck with my Guiding Eyes guide dogs and the school’s reputation is so good. Everything always goes well and I’d never go to another school. Every guide dog I’ve had has been a good match and each has been a good worker.”
How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “For me, guide dog travel is much easier, less stressful and more enjoyable than with a cane. I find working with a cane can be stressful, as I’m always having to correct my direction of travel.”
Were there any training highlights? “I enjoyed everybody I worked with, from the trainers through to the nurses; they’re respectful, good people. I like that the trainers understand my quick-witted sharp humor. I was interested in learning how the training techniques have changed over the years, and why. Whether I’ve been home trained or in a residential class, the trainers are very good. All my fellow students have been nice people to train with, too.”
Raising Harriet was amazing. She was my first pup. Harriet has always been such a grandma and I am so proud of how far she has come. Harriet graduated from college with me and even had some partial masters level time in grad school. Harriet with her long legs has always been so well behaved and adored wherever she went. Thank you to Guiding Eyes for giving me the opportunity to raise a special dog.
Micki Carver, Puppy Raiser of Harriet
Guiding Eyes for the Blind is approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (C) (3) tax-exempt organization, and all donations are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind Federal Identification Number (EIN) is 13-1854606.
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