Ricardo and Maxwell

Meet Graduate Ricardo

Graduate Team: Ricardo and Maxwell
About the Team: Maxwell: male black Lab; Rich’s 2^nd Guiding Eyes dog
Location: South Acworth, New Hampshire
Training: September 2024 On-Campus 

Rich is the Software Director for Koniag Government Services, which provides IT support for critical high-level federal agencies. He is also an adjunct professor at Southern New Hampshire University in their Computer Sciences department. Rich earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from Fitchburg State University. After pursuing a postgraduate degree in IT Software Development and Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University, he then went on to complete his Ph.D. in Information Technology and Leadership at the University of the Cumberlands. Rich achieved a wealth of educational accomplishments despite, losing much of his vision to retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration, by attending both on-campus and online classes. His vision has declined over the past decade, and now he is only sensitive to light. Rich was born in Florida and grew up in Massachusetts. Later in life, he and his wife, Amanda, and their fifteen-year-old daughter relocated from Louisiana to a rural area north of Keene, New Hampshire. While in Louisiana, Rich was employed as a software engineer for General Dynamics for seven years. In his free time, Rich enjoys playing the guitar and listening to 80s rock, as well as bluegrass. In his younger days, he also played the piano. He loves taking walks with his current guide dog, Maxwell, just as he did with his first guide dog, Pakse, who was also from Guiding Eyes.

How would you describe your guide dog? “Maxwell really is a gift. He is attentive and worked with me just as I had been working with my prior guide dog. Maxwell settled right in immediately. I had my previous and first guide dog for ten years before he passed away in December 2023. It was a real struggle after he was gone until I received Maxwell. Since receiving Maxwell in September, I have already traveled for work without a hitch to the Arlington, Washington, DC, area.”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes?  “Originally, the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind made the referral to Guiding Eyes. I returned to Guiding Eyes because I felt that the transition to a new guide dog would be easier because of my familiarity with their training techniques and staff, a clear advantage. Their staff provided the training I needed for my home’s rural environment, as well as my work commute needs.”

How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “It comes down to being all about maintaining my independence and confidence. In addition, the positive impact on my family provided by Pakse, and now Maxwell, is priceless.”

Were there any training highlights? “As I mentioned previously, Guiding Eyes was able to provide training that translates to my experiences in my rural setting in New Hampshire. Maxwell seemed to know immediately upon arrival at our home that this was where I lived. Max instantly inherited, without hesitation, the routes I previously took in my personal life.”

Meet Guide Dog Maxwell

DOB:  7/2/2022
Litter ID: 8MM22
Color/Breed:  Black/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Male
Brood: Dawn
Stud: Dover
Littermates: Moana, Maverick, Maguire, Mitch, Marcy, Magnus
Region:  Central CT, Bay
Regional Puppy Instructor: Maureen Hollis, Cindy Tait
Puppy Raiser:  Sienna Major, David Stenger & Stacy Keith
Facebook: Central CT Puppy Raisers
Facebook: Bay Puppy Raisers

Photos of the Team…