Graduate Team: Macletus and Spunky
About the Team: Spunky, a male black Lab; Cletus’s 4th guide dog
Location: Concord, California
Training: May 2026 On-Campus
Macletus has dedicated much of her life and career to helping others. She is certified in customer call center operations, mental health first aid, and suicide prevention, and continues to expand her knowledge through peer support training. Her experience includes caring for infants experiencing neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), working in a group home, and serving for 20 years as a Behavior Technician within a school district. A natural caregiver, Macletus enjoys working with people and continues her commitment to helping others through church outreach events. She speaks about nonviolence, caring for children, and fostering a strong sense of community. Her greatest joys also include family. Macletus raised six children of her own, along with three others, and cherishes every opportunity to spend time with her 17 wonderful grandchildren.
How would you describe your guide dog? “My guide dog Spunky is very lovable, patient, pays attention, is cautious, and obedient. He does not complain; only when I’m on the phone too long, he gets his loud squeaky toy. If I stumble on the least crack, you better believe it will not happen again – he will actually stop each time after that and wait for me to say, ‘good boy.’ His memory is sharp. Spunky loves to walk and go into stores; he picks out his own toy in PetSmart. He has a friend named Riddles who lives here in Concord and is also a guide from Guiding Eyes. To top it off, he must have his belly rubs – and he deserves it.”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “The guide dog of a friend of mine passed away. All of her guides were from one school in California – I believe she has had 6. She decided to apply at Guiding Eyes and was very pleased. I too have been pleased. I found that once you get home and have questions or need help, there is always someone who will get back to you quickly. If you need additional help, you will get a visit.”
How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “Having a guide dog allowed me to regain my independence back to where it was. Regaining confidence now allows me to continue outreach, church activities, and airport travel. Walking has given me better health, and my diabetes is better controlled. It is a relief to put the cane down. We are often in San Francisco. What a relief to go to doctor offices at UCSF and not have to find my own way out. My social life has greatly improved. Trust is the word – I’m able to TRUST my dog Spunky. We cross 3-lane traffic in 4 directions, including 4 left-turn arrow traffic lights. I have managed to be certified in customer call center operations, certified as a mental health first aider and in suicide prevention, and I continue training in peer support.”
Were there any training highlights? “The training we did for managing dog distractions really stood out. The instructors focused on that training more than they had in the past and it was very helpful.”
DOB: 4/28/2024
Litter ID: 5S24
Color/Breed: Black/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Male
Brood: Kendall
Stud: Yorktown
Littermates: Secret, Sadie, Shanna, Simon, Steffie, Sparky, Summer, Slater
Region: Adirondack
Regional Puppy Instructor: Kate Gardner
Puppy Raiser: BJ & Kelly Martin
Facebook: Adirondack NY Puppy Raisers
Special Recognition: Spunky was special named by Cynthia and Danny Jost. They wish Spunky and his new mom much success in their lifelong journey together as a forever family.
