Graduate Team: Matthew and Usher
About the Team: Usher, a male black & tan German Shepherd; Matt’s 5th Guiding Eyes dog
Hometown: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Training: December 2025 On-Campus
Matt and his wife, Dawn, are both recipients of guide dogs from Guiding Eyes. Usher is Matt’s fifth guide dog from the organization. reflecting the trust and independence these dogs have brought to their lives. Married for 15 years, Matt and Dawn first met while working for the same company in Chicago. Today, they live in Sierra Vista, near the Mexican border, where Matt works in the human resources department at Edward Jones Financial. Matt began losing his vision at birth and now has only minimal light perception. Declared legally blind in 1997 due to glaucoma, he continues to pursue his interests with enthusiasm. In his free time, Matt enjoys listening to music of all genres, diving into a good book, and exploring the outdoors on peaceful nature walks.
How would you describe your guide dog? “Although he is young, he is a very good guide dog and always a sweetheart. He is energetic and knows when it is time to work.”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “I grew up in Yonkers, New York, which is in close proximity to the Guiding Eyes Training School campus. Because they were located nearby, I decided to try them out, and I got hooked early on.”
How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “Freeing. It is so much easier to get around. Also, I receive constant companionship, which I couldn’t get from a cane.”
Were there any training highlights? “The training is tailored to what I wanted and needed. If I was tired, I was able to take a break and pick up later on. The staff provides great support, enabling the on-site experience to run smoothly. Michelle Tang, my trainer, was great. Our group was comprised of only four students, making training very individualized. Chef Rob was awesome, and needless to say, I had no food complaints!”
DOB: 11/28/2023
Litter ID: 1U323
Color/Breed: Black & Tan/German Shepherd
Gender: Male
Brood: Rosie
Stud: Flynn
Littermates: Ultra, Unity, Utah
Region: Richmond
Regional Puppy Instructor: Madeline Bruggeman
Puppy Raiser: Missi Sanders, Karen Mersereau
Facebook: Richmond Puppy Raisers
Usher!!! Usher has so much personality. He is the life of the party. He loves people and he loves dogs. He loves dogs so much, he loves them when they don’t really want his love. He is a Golden Retriever trapped in a German Shepherd’s body. Usher loves to train. He loves his ball and his disc. He is an amazing swimmer and can run in the fields forever. Usher is also sweet, snuggly, and is so committed to his person. I have enjoyed working with this guy, and watching him grow. I miss him terribly and think about him everyday. I know you will love him too. He will always have a special place in my family’s and my heart. Go do big things Usher, like I always knew you would. ~ Missi Sanders
