Graduate Team: Meagan and Rhiana
About the Team Rhiana, a female German Shepherd; Meagan’s 3rd Guiding Eyes dog
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Training: April 2026, On Campus
Meagan is a DeafBlind mentor and educator who provides support and guidance to interpreters in American Sign Language and DeafBlind-related topics. Meagan received her master’s degree in Adult Education and Curriculum Development, as well as a bachelor’s degree in ASL Interpreting. In her spare time, Meagan enjoys an active lifestyle that includes hiking, biking, indoor rock climbing, and running; Meagan also enjoys building LEGO creations.
How would you describe your guide dog? “I feel like Rhiana is a very proper lady! My other German Shepherd, who is retired from being my guide dog, is kind of sassy and will talk back, but not Rhiana. She is playful as well, but especially when she sits, she looks so proper. She also likes to play with my two other dogs, Henna (retired guide dog) and Luna. Rhiana will also be my running guide, but we haven’t been running yet because the weather here in Albuquerque has gotten warmer very fast. I’m giving her another week to adjust to the high altitude. We just hit the four-week point last week, and hopefully next week we’ll start running in the morning. Something funny about Rhiana is that she doesn’t like putting on shoes. Once we get going, she’s ok, but she still tries to hide her paws when the shoes come out!”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “All my dogs have been from Guiding Eyes. I’ve found Guiding Eyes to be very DeafBlind friendly, and even other programs say this. I keep going back and feel like it’s my home away from home. Even though it’s hard to go through the process of getting a new guide dog, it doesn’t feel like boot camp. I feel very comfortable there, and my dogs have been great! I’ve had Sandy, Henna, and now Rhiana, and we also have Luna, a brindle Boxer who is my husband’s service dog. Ever since I was in 3rd grade, I knew I would need a guide dog and started reading about Guiding Eyes. I realized this would work for me and that I could have a guide dog.”
How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “I would definitely say it helps me feel safer and gives me more confidence when I’m going out. Years ago, I encountered an 18-wheeler, and it was my guide dog who saved me; I might not be here if I’d only taken my cane. I felt more anxious with just a cane, and for me, the transition from having a cane to having a guide dog was not difficult. What I did find challenging was changing dogs after my first guide dog, Sandy, retired. It took me a year to adapt to Henna from Sandy and to rebuild that trust in my new dog. It takes time to make the level of trust stronger, and it needs to be built slowly over time.”
Were there any training highlights? “They do a really good job during training! They know you’re going through a transition and are very supportive of that, and the staff is so welcoming. It takes a few days to adjust to not being home, but then there’s a sense of calm. If you need anything, there are always people who can help you with what you need. We had a very good group! Our entire group got along from the beginning. Some people were more shy than others, but we really got to know each other in those 2 weeks. We did a trivia night on one of the nights, which was so fun. Then we didn’t get through all the questions, so we did another trivia night! Having a great group was really helpful. I was nervous about it being a smaller group, but I ended up hanging out with everyone in the group the whole time. We were able to laugh and even be competitive in a fun way. The only thing I did not like was saying bye to all my classmates at the end of training.”
DOB: 4/16/2024
Litter ID: 4R24
Color/Breed: Sable/German Shepherd
Gender: Female
Brood: Kristen
Stud: Vassar FGDF
Littermates: Risa, Rose, Rally, Ross, Rhyme, Randolph
Region: Monroe NY
Regional Puppy Instructor: MeKalea Chambliss
Puppy Raiser: Marci Frutkoff
Facebook: Monroe Puppy Raisers
Rhiana was my first GSD to raise after raising 10 labs. She was quirky, fun and great with snuggles. Our favorite time together was exploring the OWWL Library Tour in 2025. We received maps of 4 county libraries and visited each one while she was on program. It allowed Rhiana to share her journey as a pup in program and for us to explore communities in the Finger Lakes. Congratulations to Meagan and Rhiana on being matched. Meagan, I wish you both a life full of safety, independence and love. My advice to you is hold on to that handle, trust your guide and enjoy the adventures you will sharing together. ~ Marci Frutkoff
