Graduate Team: Rania and Donovan
About the Team: Donovan, a male yellow lab; Rania’s 2nd guide dog
Location: Frederick, Maryland
Training: April 2025 Home Training
Rania earned two associate’s degrees from Montgomery College: one in American Sign Language and the other in General Studies. The mother of three, she is currently a stay-at-home mom to her two youngest children while also dedicating time to completing her manuscript and engaging in advocacy work. She is passionate about advocating for education, serious mental illnesses, and blindness. In the past year she has attended Board meetings, participated in discussions with the Board of Education and county legislators to advocate for the Remote Virtual Program. Additionally, she will be starting her work with SECAC, an organization dedicated to advising the Board of Education and school leadership on systemic issues facing students with disabilities. In 2021, she was invited by U.S Senator Chris Van Hollen to testify at a Senate subcommittee, which resulted in the Inspector General opening an investigation following her testimony. Rania, her husband, and daughters have a love for camping. The family, including their three dogs, enjoys spending time at their RV, which is set on a seasonal site on a mountaintop. Rania also loves creative writing, singing, playing piano, and listening to music. She enjoys many genres of audiobooks, ranging from memoirs and fiction to spiritual.
How would you describe your guide dog? “He is a lovable, adorable dog. Donovan’s love language is touch and he is a huge snuggler. He sometimes gets himself into the strangest sleeping positions. During training at a restaurant, he once rolled over onto his harness and lay there for over 10 minutes. Donovan is curious about the world around him, and he watches things. He can also be quite mischievous when it comes to scavenging. If he were a person, he would be a happy-go-lucky surfer dude.”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “I’ve always found Guiding Eyes to be incredibly professional, and they have excellent lifelong care. I can always call them up with any questions or issues. I even called about how to best help Clyde (my retired guide) and my adopted shelter puppy to work with each other. I interviewed with other schools, but I got that good feeling with Guiding Eyes, where I knew they would be a good fit for me.”
How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “I can walk outside with Donovan with more independence and less stress. I don’t have to worry about where I’m at – he’ll make sure I’m walking where I need to be on curbs and streets. He’s my extra set of eyes. It’s the same at the campground we go to. He’s able to guide me there on my own, which is less stressful on my husband. With Donovan, I can do the things I want to do and have a lovable furry companion by my side. I’m so grateful to all of the people who have sacrificed their time and energy to prepare Donovan for me.”
Were there any training highlights? “On the first day of training, my instructor, Louise, came in with Donovan, and when we sat in our chairs, he sat at Louise’s feet. At the end of the day, Donovan watched her leave, as he was staying the night with me. On the second day with Louise, we both sat down, and he came and sat at my feet. We connected almost instantly. That day, when Louise left, he didn’t get up and watch her walk out the door.”
DOB: 5/15/2022
Litter ID: 7DD22
Color/Breed: Yellow/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Male
Brood: Bonita
Stud: Donny
Littermates: Dream, Doug, Delta, Darby, Daryl, Dayton
Region: Adirondack
Regional Puppy Instructor: Kate Gardner
Puppy Raiser: The Edwards Family
Facebook: Adirondack NY Puppy Raisers
Donovan, also known to many as the Notorious Mr. Wiggles (NMW), was an absolute pleasure to raise. He was our family’s third Guiding Eyes for the Blind puppy. Donovan is sweet, goofy, and always happy. Donovan was content to work from home with Lynn and his two doggie “brothers” but was just as enthusiastic to put in a long day’s work in Jeff’s sixth grade classroom. Donovan is the best cuddler! He will snuggle up with you as soon as the opportunity presents itself. We would often time him when we sat down in the dog bed… in less than 5 seconds he’d be in our laps! Donovan is famous for his adorable stubby tail and his cat-like pounces. We wish Donovan and his partner Rania many wonderful years together! ~ The Edwards Family
