As the last of the autumn leaves make way for winter skies, I hope you’re finding small moments of comfort in the middle of the holiday rush. Maybe it’s a warm mug between your hands, a guide dog curled up beside you after a long day, or simply the reassurance of being part of a group that understands this season from both the handler and canine side. Whatever your plans, we hope you’ll take a moment to settle in with another issue of The Handler’s Herald.
This edition is full of practical, timely, and encouraging pieces. You’ll find guidance on helping your dog maintain a healthy winter weight, tips for navigating the crowded spaces that come with holiday travel and shopping, and information about a new pet insurance offer to help you continue making confident choices for your guide’s health. Chef Rob has shared another cozy recipe perfect for the holiday season, and of course, the answer key to the word unscramble is waiting for anyone who enjoys a little puzzle with their morning coffee.
Inside, you’ll find updates from members of the Client Experience Team who recently traveled to Delaware for an outreach visit. You’ll also find stories highlighting the work our graduates are doing across the country. Whether it’s advocacy, volunteer efforts, or everyday moments that reflect the strength of the guide dog partnership, these updates continue to show the heart and dedication shared by so many. And of course, there’s far more in these pages than this letter can cover.
Winter can be busy, beautiful, and overwhelming all at once. In the middle of it, we hope this newsletter feels like a warm place to pause and take a breath.
Meka White and the Embark Team
Click here for the audio version of Chris Perry’s greeting.
Hello! This is Chris Perry, President & CEO of Guiding Eyes for the Blind.
Warm greetings, and happy holidays to you all!
I am truly delighted to be joining the Guiding Eyes family. I bear a strong connection to our Mission – my mother is blind – and for more than 20 years, I have dedicated my life to helping people to reach their fullest potential. Most recently, I had the privilege of serving as President & CEO of Spectrum for Living, a New Jersey nonprofit organization serving more than 1,000 adults with disabilities across a network of programs and services. What inspires me every day – and gets me out of bed with purpose – is the opportunity to serve others and to help make life a little bit brighter and a little bit better wherever I can.
Since arriving at Guiding Eyes last month, I’ve been struck by the warmth, the dedication, and the heart that our employees bring to their work every day. Their commitment to our Mission is truly remarkable. Because of them – and of course, because of our extraordinary dogs – Guiding Eyes continues to create the conditions for so many individuals to live more independent, confident, and fulfilling lives.
I have had the pleasure of meeting and having lunch with students here at our Yorktown Heights campus, and I’ve enjoyed learning their perspectives. I’m excited to connect with you – our graduates – to learn directly from you, your stories, and your experiences. Your insights are invaluable in helping us to understand how Guiding Eyes can continue to support you in meaningful ways. I hope you’ll join me at the next Graduate Quarterly Call – I would love the chance to meet you.
I wish you and your loved ones a most joyful holiday season, and all the best for a safe, healthy, and prosperous New Year.
With my warmest regards,Chris
Graduate Holiday Audio Greeting 2025
Graduate Holiday Greeting Transcript
(The graphic (left) runs throughout the video, showing 3 hanging ornaments on a light blue background surrounded by a few snowflakes. To their right are the words “Happy Holidays Graduates from” – then the Guiding Eyes logo appears below the text.)
This unscramble includes dog toys, places one might go with their guide during the holiday season, and a toy that would be of a very specific wintry character. Good luck!
By: Specialized Training GDMI’s Andrea Martine and Louise Thompson
The holiday season is just around the corner – a time filled with gatherings, travel, and bustling stores. While it’s a wonderful time to connect with friends and family, it can also bring extra challenges for guide dog teams. Here are a few reminders and tips to help keep you and your guide safe, confident, and stress-free through the festivities.
Try to plan your outings for quieter times whenever possible. Shopping malls, grocery stores, parking lots and travel hubs tend to be especially hectic during peak hours, and giving yourself a little extra time to move at your own pace can make a big difference. Before heading into a busy environment, take a few moments to let your dog settle and focus so you can start your route calmly and in sync. Despite your guide’s best efforts, the hustle and bustle of the season can make things more challenging. Even the most diligent guide may have a few close calls in the rush of the holidays. Your patience and support make all the difference in helping your dog stay confident and do their best work.
Try to maintain your routine. Your guide dog thrives on consistency. Try to keep feeding, relieving, and work schedules as regular as possible, even when your days get busy. A familiar routine helps reduce stress and keeps your guide focused.
Remember that decorations, food, and well-meaning friends can all be tempting distractions. A gentle reminder to others that your dog is working and should not be offered food or allow interaction without permission. Learn as much as you can about the social event you may be attending and consider if it might be most beneficial for you and your dog to have the dog stay home. If you choose to bring your dog, it may be helpful to identify a quiet area where you can socialize and your dog can rest away from foot traffic and food.
If you’ll be traveling, check ahead for designated relief areas and pack your dog’s essentials – food, water, cleanup supplies, and any comfort items that make new environments feel familiar, such as a bed or a mat.
Finally, don’t forget to pause and enjoy some calm moments together. Choosing your dog’s favorite activities, such as playtime, massage, grooming, snuggling or just being with you while they chew their favorite bone, can help release tension and maintain your strong bond.
From all of us at Guiding Eyes for the Blind, we wish you and your guide a safe, joyful, and peaceful holiday season!
Graduate Kathy Nimmer and Guide Dog Tate
Kathy Nimmer’s three-decade career as a public high school English teacher brought her into many positions of influence, especially when she started working with guide dogs. She could move safely through the halls of her school, take students on field trips, enter conference rooms for important meetings, travel for professional development, and ultimately stand tall and proud as the 2015 Indiana Teacher of the Year and finalist for National Teacher of the Year. Simultaneously, Kathy’s love for motivational speaking, mentoring, and writing flourished with a guide dog by her side. With every speech she gave, every mentoring session she led, and every story she wrote, Kathy could embrace the same professionalism as her sighted peers because her dog evened the playing field, giving her the space to excel in her work without needing to focus on all of the things made harder because of her blindness.
What was never Kathy’s primary thought was how her life choices were influencing the public’s overall regard for disability, but that was happening anyway. Kathy was recently named the winner of the 2026 Helen Keller Achievement Award by AFB, which was a startling and humbling realization for her of how everyone’s story is being written by the choices they make; at the same time, those around her are noticing those choices. Kathy says she is still making sense of this award because she hasn’t always succeeded or done the noble thing. She has, however, kept taking that next step, always driven by purpose and a passion to serve others. And especially since, for the last 30 years, she’s been side-by-side with a dog who guides and loves her, on both the mountain tops and in the valleys. Would Kathy have found those mountain tops if she didn’t have a guide dog? She’s doubtful, and she can’t honestly picture that anyway. Kathy’s story will include a harness handle gripped in her left hand for as long as it is possible, which means to her that anything is possible.
Graduate Jake Koch and Guide Dog Fianna
Melissa Carney, Community Outreach & Graduate Support Manager, and Guide Dog Aron
Melissa and Jake, both Guiding Eyes for the Blind graduates, and their guide dogs, create authentic, action-oriented, and real-life content utilizing their positive outlook, combined lived experience, and professional knowledge. Their content provides unique perspectives on how they navigate life as a unified couple who happen to be visually impaired, which they hope will help others.
Some of the topics Jake and Melissa cover include air travel, navigating cities, and guide dog etiquette.
Their Forward Together Content can be found here
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@4wardTogether
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14LLy6kySqv/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Jake also serves on the Alaska Airlines Disability Advisory Board as a guide/service dog and low vision community subject matter expert. This interdisciplinary board is tasked with supporting the airline in forwarding accessibility and inclusion initiatives, and advising airline leadership and work groups about accessibility best practices to continually enhance accessibility for all travelers.
While on the Board, Jake has contributed accessibility and customer experience guidance to nearly a dozen customer facing products, shaping policies and procedures about aircraft cabin design, airport assistance, website navigation, and service animal etiquette to enhance accessibility.
Graduate Hillary Honig and Guide Dog Essex
Graduate Hillary Honig recently graduated with her second guide from GEB, a male black Labrador named Essex. She produced a documentary that was featured in a virtual showcase with Dark Room Ballet, and it will also be part of the ReelAbilities Film Festival in 2026. Hillary is looking to connect with other graduates who are dancers for a future project and provided the following synopsis about her current project:
As I See It, directed and produced by Hillary Honig Ensminger, is a unique confluence of performance art, documentary, experimental, and independent filmmaking. The film’s message debunks the misconceptions and the too often presumed limitations associated with vision loss. The story is told through the lens of blindness. The film is personal, informative, humorous, artistic, evocative and poignant.
Reach out directly to Hillary if you are suited for her dance project. Hillary’s email is: hbeans@frontier.com.
We would love to feature any special awards, advocacy work or education our graduates are involved in within their communities. Please write to us atgradnewsletter@guidingeyes.org to potentially be featured in a future edition of Embark!
By: Melissa Carney, Community Outreach & Graduate Support Manager
Behind every guide dog partnership is a myriad of puzzle pieces that come together to form the unique bond between dog and handler. The foundation is dependent upon dedicated puppy raisers who teach future guide dogs the necessity of obedience, appropriate social behavior, and house manners. Raisers also give pups their first glimpse of teamwork, work ethic, and trust. There are few more heart-warming opportunities than building community between puppy raisers and graduates, effectively bringing the Guiding Eyes mission full circle.
On November 13th, the Embark team hit the road to the University of Delaware, where we spoke to UDel’s Access: Ability Scholars about the selfless impact of puppy raisers, the guide dog training and matching process, and how we, as graduates, benefit from the love, energy, and skills development poured into each future guide dog. It was a pleasure answering so many thoughtful questions from the guide dog handler’s perspective, mingling with Regional Puppy Instructor (RPI) Cindy Tait and the UDel puppy raising club, and naturally, petting and snuggling some irresistibly cute Labradors and Shepherds. Enjoy our full blog post here.
If you are interested in getting involved with your local puppy raising region to support puppy raising efforts and share your perspective as a guide dog handler, please contact Melissa Carney, Community Outreach and Graduate Support Manager, at mcarney@guidingeyes.org.
If you missed October’s graduate quarterly call, The Puppy Pathway, where Pup Program staff and volunteers shared the progression of puppy raising milestones leading up to the In for Training (IFT) test, check out the summary and recording here.
Meet Placement Manager: Stephanie Koret
How did you get into the industry?
I always knew I wanted to work with animals and started out as a marine mammal trainer at an aquarium, working with harbor seals and river otters. I grew up close to Guiding Eyes, and when I moved back to New York, I applied at Guiding Eyes, thinking I would eventually get back into the aquarium field. Once I started, I fell in love with the dogs, people, and the mission and never looked back. That was just about 20 years ago!
What was one of your favorite training moments in class?
My favorite moments in class are the little things-seeing a dog lean into their handler during the downtime or a handler reach out and rest their hand on their dog’s back. Seeing that bond forming in real time is very special.
What is your favorite place to frequent when training with students near the White Plains lounge?
One of my favorite things to do during training is to work to an inside destination. It always feels like a bit of a milestone in training when a team can work their dog to a destination, whether it’s Starbucks, CVS, or the grocery store. It starts to merge training with incorporating your new guide into everyday life.
If you could describe your personality in three words, what would they be?
Caring, detail oriented, and hard working – but I like to have fun while doing it!
If you could instantly master any skills outside of the guide dog industry, what would it be?
Fluency in multiple foreign languages.
If you could only give one piece of advice to a future student, what would it be?
Be patient! Be patient with yourself, your dog, and those around you during this process. It takes hard work, dedication, and time to work with a guide dog. Plenty of mistakes will be made and are a natural part of the process. Try and have fun during the process, be kind to yourself, and don’t forget to breathe.
Training days on our New York campus are chock full of skills building, on-the-go training and lectures. They’re also about the moments in between. At Rosie’s Café, mealtimes have become a highlight: a chance to recharge, relax with fellow classmates, and enjoy the kind of hospitality that makes the campus feel like home. Chef Rob, along with Patricio, Craig, Margaret, and Jackie, bring warmth and flavor to every plate. And Chef Rob never misses an opportunity to pass along a culinary tip or two. He’s opening his recipe book once again, sharing his signature Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe.
Cookie Ingredients:
Directions:
1: Mix together all dry ingredients and set aside.
2: Melt the butter in a small bowl in the microwave.
3: In a mixing bowl, combine the melted butter with the brown and granulated sugars.
4: In the same bowl, slowly stir in the egg yolks and vanilla.
5: Combine wet and dry ingredients.
6: Roll dough into balls, approximately 1-2 tablespoons each.
7: Place cookie dough balls on a greased sheet pan, making sure to spread them out evenly and leave space between each ball.
8: Place sheet pan into high convection oven at 375 degrees for 8 minutes. Cookies will be slightly crispy on the outside and gooey in the middle. For softer cookies, use low convection or conventional oven.
________
And, we’d like to take a moment to recognize and bid farewell to Peter, who has been such a valued part of the Rosie’s Café dining team. His kindness, friendly presence, and genuine care for all our students on campus helped make mealtimes feel extra welcoming. While we’ll miss him, we wish him the very best in his next chapter.
By: Melissa Carney, Community Outreach & Graduate Support Manager
Charlie Bear magic and snowflakes on noses, squeaky toy soundtracks and cute photo poses, brown chewy packages tied up with string, these are a few of my favorite things. Snuggles on couches and carols we are singing, tails are wagging and doorbells are ringing, guide dogs that fly with the moon on their wings, these are a few of my favorite things.
Read on for tips on how to enjoy some of your favorite things this holiday season.
Airplanes may not be as cool as Santa’s sleigh, but they will take us where we need to go for the holiday! If you plan on traveling, make sure you fill out your Department of Transportation (DOT) form, required on all airlines to fly with your favorite “reindeer,” at least 48 hours in advance of your flight. Please visit our Guide to Airline Travel for more information.
Pack your candy canes, and your white cane too! Certain weather conditions and/or festive outings may not be suitable for your guide dog. Pack extra dog food, booties, medication, and other essentials in case Inclement weather causes transportation delays.
If visiting another person’s house, be mindful that their expectations may differ from yours. Have a polite conversation with your friends and loved ones in advance to provide them with specific guidelines to create a safe space for your dog, like those you use in your own home to promote good house manners. For example, all trash cans should be picked up off the floor or stored in closed cabinets, all food should be kept out of curious nose’s reach, and table scraps should not be offered to the dog. Save all the cookies for Santa! However, while everyone should respect your wishes as a handler, you should also respect any reasonable preferences your hosts may have as well. For example, while your dog is allowed to sleep on the couch or bed in your home, your host may ask you to keep the dog off of furniture.
Our guides can sometimes push boundaries when in new environments, especially when sensing the excitement of the holiday season around them. It may be helpful to revert to standard practices you utilized when first returning home from training with your dog, such as keeping them on-leash, on tie down, or in a collapsible crate to monitor behavior. As your hosts or other guests come and go, they may leave doors open for extended periods of time or neglect to close them securely. Ensure that you do not have an escape artist guide dog, or shall we say, rebel elf, on your hands.
If there are other dogs in the host’s home, you should introduce the two dogs on leash in a neutral area in case the pet dog is territorial or possessive. Ask a family member or friend to hold the pet dog so you can manage your guide. Allow the two dogs to greet briefly, then move away from each other. Depending on the dogs, you may need to do this a few times until both dogs seem relaxed. Interactions between the dogs should be closely monitored until they have fully acclimated to one another. Dogs should be separated during feeding times to prevent any food guarding or stealing. Pay close attention to all dogs’ behavior and signals. If you find that you need to separate the dogs for a period of time, use a crate or baby gate to confine one dog to a separate room. If your host leaves their dog or cat’s food on the floor for continuous access, kindly ask that they pick it up to prevent your four-legged vacuum from taking advantage, or consider keeping your dog on leash, tie down, or in a crate.
Wrapping paper, candy canes, ornaments, oh my! While many of us enjoy these festive staples, our dogs’ stomachs will not. Whether you are spending your holiday at home or away, make sure these items are kept out of your pup’s reach. Hang candy canes on higher Christmas tree branches and avoid hanging breakable and/or tasty-looking ornaments, such as wood or paper, on lower branches. Dispose of all wrapping and tissue paper scraps immediately after opening presents. Be aware of poisonous plants that are plentiful around the holidays, such as poinsettias, holly, and mistletoe. No one wants to end up on the veterinarian’s naughty list; they may be checking it twice! For further information, please visit our Safety Considerations resource guide.
The holidays are full of cheer, and the energy is palpable. While your guide may embrace the excitement, and certainly enjoys receiving attention and gifts, too much activity may sometimes feel overwhelming. Stress can manifest in various ways, such as excessive panting, pacing, and/or acting out. If you notice your dog appears to be stressed or withdrawn, find a quieter and safer space for the dog to rest, such as in a closed off bedroom and/or crate. Consider planning exercise or destination routes over the holidays to help curb excessive energy and engage your dog in a positive activity.
Dashing through the snow, a guide dog leads the way, through the streets we go, wagging through the day. Bells on collars ring, making spirits bright, what fun it is to guide and feel the teamwork of tonight.
Whether celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the Winter Solstice, or simply enjoying the New Year, may you and your pup have a safe and joyous holiday season!
Winter can be a particularly difficult time to manage your guide dog’s weight. They can easily put on a few pounds if the colder weather reduces their daily exercise and keeps you indoors more often. Given the importance of physical fitness in a working guide, we recommend taking a proactive approach. Here are some tips for proper weight management:
For more details on maintaining your guide at an appropriate weight, you can also review the Obesity in Dogs and Veterinary Services lectures on the Grad Center under Class Lectures.
The Development Team recently partnered with Spot Pet Insurance to offer exclusive discounted rates for our staff, graduates and volunteers! The discount offer is 10% and could rise to 20% if more than one pet is insured. If you already have Spot Pet Insurance, you can still get the discount by calling 888 343-2340 and use the code EB_GUIDINGEYES to be added to the group account. The discount will reflect in the next billing period.
Spot Pet Insurance gives you peace of mind and helps protect your pet’s well-being – on your terms! Coverage is available for both dogs and cats, with no age or breed restrictions, and even includes a pre-existing clause that allows claims if your pet remains treatment-and symptom-free for 180 days. Sign up and enjoy benefits such as:
Reach out to get a quote, enroll and get started!
Phone: 888 343-2340
Enrollment Site: https://spotpet.link/guidingeyes
Access Code: EB_GUIDINGEYES
Scan or click on the QR Code below:
Happy birthday to the guide dogs that celebrated birthdays in October and November! You should have already received their Annual Health Survey.
Happy Birthday to all December guide dogs, as well. Your surveys will arrive in late December. Please check your email to help provide us with this very important health information.
Have Ideas?
If you have an idea or story to share for a future issue, we’d love to hear from you. While space is limited, we welcome submissions and may make edits as needed. Send your ideas to gradnewsletter@guidingeyes.org, and we’ll be in touch if we’re able to feature your piece. Thank you for being part of this journey. We can’t wait to share more with you in the seasons ahead!
Answer Key for Unscramble the Dogs:
1. chuckit
2. nylabone
3. jingleball
4. treats
5. snowman
6. pupsicle
7. puzzle
8. shopping mall
9. squeaker
10. tuffy
