Richard and Baja

Meet Graduate Richard

Graduate Team: Richard and Baja
About the Team: Baja: female yellow lab; Richard’s 6th guide dog
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Training: November 2024 On-Campus

Richard lives in the Canadian province of British Columbia. He earned an associate degree in business management and currently focuses on accessibility work, particularly web accessibility testing and conducting audits for websites. He enjoys traveling and has previously traveled with his guide dog to Europe. Baja is his sixth dog, but his first from Guiding Eyes.

How would you describe your guide dog? “Baja loves her playtime and her work. She has a great personality, quickly warms up to people, and is a great addition to the family. She enjoys riding trains and buses but is also flexible. On the days I work from home, she seems equally content staying home as dealing with a busy commute. Her raisers obviously did such a great job. A few days ago, I accidentally dropped a kibble on the floor, and she just sat there and allowed me to pick it up.”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “I have some friends who received dogs from Guiding Eyes. Last spring, while on vacation in NYC, my husband jokingly said that if a dog could handle the stress of NYC, they could certainly handle Vancouver. He added maybe it would be a good idea to apply to one of the NY guide dog schools. At the time, I was a bit ambivalent as my previous guide dog had just retired, and I am very competent using a cane. A few weeks later, I was assisting at an accessibility camp for guide dog handlers in Canada. I was one of only three people without a dog. By the time I got home, I decided I was ready, and I applied to Guiding Eyes.”

How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “Guide dogs increase my level of freedom. Baja allows me to be more spontaneous and makes it easier to get around. If I need to go somewhere that is busy, it is much easier and more seamless. I have made overseas trips with previous dogs and hope to do the same with Baja, as she seems like the kind of dog who could handle the change in routine.”

Were there any training highlights? “I was going to say the food. The other highlight was definitely the training staff. For want of a better word, they treated us as ‘adults.’ I was actively involved in the decision as to which dog I would get. They did a demo day with the dog they thought would be the best match, but they also let me try another dog. After, they met with me and took my feedback as to which dog I felt was a better fit. We ultimately decided on Baja, who was the first dog I tried.”

Meet Guide Dog Baja

DOB:  8/31/2022
Litter ID: 4B322
Color/Breed:  Yellow/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Female
Brood: Helen
Stud: Dover
Littermates: Bean, Bingo, Barney, Brindy, Boston, Bonnet, Bruno
Region:  New Hampshire
Regional Puppy Instructor: Lisa Bumbalo
Puppy Raiser:  Chur & Jeff Masors, Joyce & Rich Reynolds, Michelle Morrison
Facebook: New Hampshire Puppy Raisers

From the Puppy Raisers…

Baja was such an adorable pup to raise. She had a most endearing personality from the beginning. It was so much fun to take her to stores. She attracted attention because she is so pretty and a real people lover. She was the first pup that we tried co-raising. She experienced two different households and I think it was a great benefit to her. ~ The Masors

Baja is amazing, she will take on any challenge. Just be sure to snuggle with her! She will be a happy pup. ~ Joyce & Richard Reynolds 

Photos of the Team…