Graduate Team: Rita and Julie
About the Team: Julie, a female black Lab; Rita’s 5th Guiding Eyes dog
Location: Albany, New York
Training: June 2026 Home Training
Rita was born with low vision and graduated from the New York State School for the Blind in Batavia, New York. She continued her education through coursework at SUNY Delhi, Monroe Community College, and St. John Fisher College, before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Management in 2000 from The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY. Rita is passionate about serving underserved communities and supporting the mission of nonprofit organizations. Throughout her career, she has worked with parents and children in Head Start programs, advocated for women with disabilities, educated individuals and communities about HIV/AIDS, and assisted mid-career professionals in successfully transitioning to new opportunities after losing their jobs. Her work consistently reflected her commitment to empowering others. Rita has spent most of her life living and working in NYS, including the past 18 years in the Albany area. Over the years, Rita and her late husband made their home in Rochester and Albany, as well as Taunton, MA, and Pittsburgh, PA, while raising their two sons. Today, she is the proud grandmother of 12-year-old twin grandsons. Rita has been an active leader in her church community, serving as secretary of the governing board, facilitating deaconess projects, and teaching a women’s Bible study class. She is also involved with the church’s Outreach for the Blind ministry and serves on the Missions Committee, reflecting her lifelong commitment to faith, service, and supporting others.
How would you describe your guide dog? “Julie is very well trained. She is calm and very responsive. She responds immediately to new commands. She loves new things, and she’s a real joy to have around. I was a little apprehensive about a new dog after having Liza for 10 years, but Julie and I seemed to meld together right away, and it was wonderful. She is steady and alert and remembers things very well. I am extremely happy with her.”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes?” My husband, who was blind, had gone to school with a blind woman who also lived in Albany. We really liked the way she interacted with her Guiding Eyes guide dog and the quality of the dog, so that has always been my only choice for my guide dogs. I had no inclination to go anywhere else. A funny story – my husband had given up using a guide dog some time before I got my first Guiding Eyes dog. He said, ‘I can’t keep up with you now, ’ so he went to Guiding Eyes to get another guide dog for himself.”
How has a guide dog impacted your life? “I am more confident with a guide dog by my side. It made a huge difference in my life. All my guides were loyal and extremely well trained. When my husband was dealing with cancer, my retired guide dog spent all of her time by his side and was inconsolable when he died.”
Were there any training highlights?” All five of my Guiding Eyes dogs were Labrador Retrievers. I had both yellow and black dogs. My training with Julie and instructor Rivi went very smoothly. We trained mostly on the streets of Albany, going to my usual places like my church, and even going up to the pulpit where I sometimes speak about things like our mission. Rivi calls her a ‘little princess’ because Julie is so very responsive and behaves so well.”
DOB: 7/21/2024
Litter ID: 2JJ24
Color/Breed: Black/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Female
Brood: Queenie
Stud: Gerald
Littermates: Judy, Jersey, JoJo, Janice
Region: NoVA- North Puppy Raising Region
Regional Puppy Instructor: Katie Meuer
Puppy Raiser: Cheryl De Falco
Facebook: NoVa North Puppy Raisers
Julie was my Velcro dog! She liked to stay close throughout the day. Loved it when I would sit on the floor with her and read the paper or watch TV. She also loved playdates in the yard with her GEB doggy friends. Julie would grab a toy and encourage the other dogs to latch on and run with her. She brought great joy into our lives! We are proud of her accomplishments and the awesome guide dog she has become. We’re so happy she is partnering with you, Rita! Wishing you both the best! ~ Cheryl & David De Falco
