Patricia and Isley

We thank our generous sponsors. The Estate of Edward Bragaline is sponsoring Patti Lane and guide dog Isley.

Meet Graduate Patricia

Graduate Team: Patricia and Isley
About the Team:  Isley, a female black Lab; Patti’s 2nd Guiding Eyes dog
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Training: April 2025 On-Campus

Patti previously owned a pharmaceutical research company and is now training to become a Business Enterprise Program vending manager. She also serves on the board of directors for NewView Oklahoma, an organization that supports and empowers blind or low-vision individuals through programs and services. Additionally, 75-80% of their employees are blind or visually impaired. Patti lives in Oklahoma City with her guide dog, Isley, and retired Guiding Eyes guide dog, female, black Lab Truffle. Patti’s sister and brother-in-law live nearby, and she has several friends in the area. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with horses, hanging out with friends, and going to dinner. She is also a member of several book clubs. Patti is excited about her future trips with Isley and has set a goal to travel to Europe together.

How would you describe your guide dog? “She is a lover! That’s the first thing I think of. She’s a big snuggle bug. She’s my fourth black Lab (not all of them guide dogs), and I’ve never had one that would just come lie on me, or near me, or wants to be with me all the time. I just love it! She is an exceptional guide dog! She is a chill pill! My retired guide, Truffle, is the opposite, so it’s very neat. She’s so calm and chill!”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes?  “I wouldn’t apply anywhere else! I fell in love with Guiding Eyes when I came in for Truffle, so it never occurred to me to apply somewhere else. I think they’re the very best! My decision to apply to Guiding Eyes the first time came when I was on a visually impaired rowing team. There was an attorney on the team who had a guide dog from Guiding Eyes because he grew up in Yorktown Heights. He was speaking so highly of Guiding Eyes, I decided to apply there and nowhere else!”

How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “It has made me so much more independent in the world as my vision decreases. It really calms me and gives me the confidence to maintain my normal pace of life as my vision progresses to a nonfunctional level without assistance.”

Were there any training highlights? “The first highlight is that I got Kat for my trainer! I just adore her. She was not my instructor the first time, but was part of my training class. We just hit it off 7 years ago! A highlight of Guiding Eyes is the people! I love them all! If I could just live in that environment forever, I would take it in a second. It is a great, uplifting place to be! I love it there. I just can’t speak highly enough of the organization. I think they do such a fabulous job, and I just love it! The dogs are so well-trained. Isley is doing so well. I don’t feel fearful at all taking her anywhere; she does such a good job. She was pushed into my world very quickly, and she’s done great. That says a lot because she hasn’t had a lot of time to acclimate, but she’s doing great!”

Meet Guide Dog Isley

DOB:  10/4/2022
Litter ID: 8I322
Color/Breed:  Black/Labrador
Gender: Female
Brood: Edna
Stud: Ralphie
Littermates: Ingalls, Ives, Ipso, Iman, Iva, Ink, Indra, Irving
Region:  Rhode Island
Regional Puppy Instructor: Maureen Hollis
Puppy Raiser:  Ruth Ladd, Miranda Joss
Facebook: Rhode Island Puppy Raisers

From the Puppy Raiser…

I was just Isley’s ‘starter raiser’ but I so enjoyed my brief time with her. She was so bright and fun and willing to try new things from walking on grates to loading up on things. She was reasonably polite with our released GEB dog, Lyric (well, as polite as a little pup with sharp teeth is likely to be!). ~ Ruth Ladd

Isley was a versatile pup and from the start I knew she was destined for great things, no matter the path. Out in public, she was composed and knew exactly what she needed to do. But when we went on walks or had play time, she showed her energetic side! Enjoy this sweetie. She loves her belly rubs, and she loves her family. She will make you so happy, as she made me.  ~ Miranda Joss

Photos of the Team…