Graduate Team: Pamela and Kingdom
About the Team: Kingdom, a male, yellow Lab; Pam’s 6th guide dog & 1st Guiding Eyes.
Location: Chatsworth, California
Training: September 2025 On-Campus
Pam, a California native, has always called the state home. She is a mother and grandmother who retired after a long nursing career. Pam attended nursing school in Orange County, California, and dedicated much of her career to caring for seniors in convalescent homes. Her late husband was a guide dog user, as well, until he passed away seven years ago. Pam supports those in the blind community by serving on the board of directors for the California Council of the Blind. In her free time, Pam loves to read and express her creativity through crocheting.
How would you describe your guide dog? “Kingdom is a good worker. He is 2 ½ years old but has the personality of a 5 or 6-year-old, given how calm and mellow he is. He gets along well with my 10-year-old retired guide, Franklin, and the two often play together. Kingdom recently accompanied me to a doctor’s appointment at a large medical campus. It was his first time there, and he handled it like a pro! Kingdom expertly targeted the counter and a chair for me. When we left the doctor’s office, he led me right back through the campus the way we had come. Kingdom adapts quickly and excels at learning my routes. Guiding Eyes did an amazing job training him. I think his name suits him, too. From the first time I said, ‘Kingdom come,’ I felt like I should continue reciting the Lord’s Prayer!”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “When it was time to retire, Franklin, I looked into getting a dog from Guiding Eyes based on the recommendation of happy Guiding Eyes clients that I know. I appreciated how carefully the representative listened to what I required of my guide dog. Guiding Eyes offers excellent support to their graduates, and I was able to keep my retired guide!
How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “I love the freedom to do what I want and need to do! A guide dog allows me to navigate my life with fewer limitations than a cane. With Kingdom, I can travel and easily use the transit system. He’s such a good traveler; he just sits at my feet and goes to sleep. When we reach our destination, he is ready to be my guide!”
Were there any training highlights? “Training on the Guiding Eyes campus was great! There were only four of us in the class, so each of us was given the attention we needed. One highlight was getting to work with multiple trainers and learn something different from each of them. Although I have worked with many guide dogs, I enjoyed learning new commands and approaches specific to this school. Throughout the process of applying and getting Kingdom, I felt respected and listened to by the entire staff. I returned home confident that Kingdom and I are well-matched and able to succeed. Kingdom and the whole experience were worth the 2998-mile trip across the country!”
DOB: 5/30/2023
Litter ID: 3KK23
Color/Breed: Yellow/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Male
Brood: Emblem
Stud: Kisco
Littermates: Kite, Kahuna, Kenai, Kimpton, Keeper, Khaki, Kimmie, Koi
Region: No-VA North
Regional Puppy Instructor: Katie Meuer
Puppy Raiser: Mira Borwankar, Mary Ann Sirc
Facebook: No-VA North Puppy Raisers
Kingdom was a happy, playful pup who enjoyed being around pups and people alike. I loved watching how he progressed through his training during our time together. In a new environment, he often paused a moment to scope out and take in his surroundings before glancing at me with a ‘you ready?’ look! It was fun to see him with his siblings in our region… so similar, but each with their own wonderful personalities. Because he was the first pup I raised, Kingdom will always have a special place in my heart, and I am grateful to be a part of his path to service. ~ Mary Ann Sirc
Kingdom is truly one of a kind. From the moment I picked him up he was ready and eager to learn and please. He met me where I was at (a high school senior), and I did the same. I was his starter, and me and baby Kingdom I were inseparable. He (from a very young age) has been smart, kind, inquisitive, sweet, and energetic. From late nights of training practice where I would help him, to late nights of studying and homework, where he would help me, I always knew he could do it. He has always been and will always be your best friend and will have your back through it all. I can’t wait to see how he helps change someone’s life in an amazing way and I am extremely proud of him!! ~ Mira Borwankar
