Rob and Maguire

Meet Graduate Rob

Graduate Team: Robert and Maguire
About the Team: Maguire, a male yellow Lab, is Robert’s 1^st guide dog
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Training: September 2024 On-Campus

Robert attended Central Michigan University, majoring in broadcasting and cinematic arts. He spent twenty years working as a reporter and photographer for network affiliates, including NBC, ABC, and CBS. Rob won the Journalists Best In-Depth Feature award from the National Academy of Television for his work on a nature documentary. Inspired by the human stories he encountered, he felt the need to change careers to help people heal. Rob returned to college in his early 40s, graduating from the University of Michigan as a registered nurse. He cared for pediatric patients for a decade until 2021, when he unexpectedly lost much of his vision at the age of 53. He has spent the last three years learning to adapt and move forward despite vision loss. Both his central and peripheral vision are limited, along with his light perception. His passion for caring and his documentary skills led Rob to create a series of videos about people living their best lives, overcoming the challenges of blindness. Rob told his story with others in a mini-documentary that is a testament to the enduring spirit of those diagnosed with Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON). Rob is most proud of his talented 20-year-old son, Chase, who has skills in mechanics, electronics, and music.  Rob remains active and enjoys various activities such as paddleboarding, cornhole, disc golf, running, and a little piano. Maguire has helped Rob move forward, showing him that life wasn’t over. There were new chapters to his life story to be discovered.

How would you describe your guide dog? “Maguire is how I’d like to be in so many ways. He is a great listener, loves people and new experiences. He’s very enthusiastic about new challenges.  He learned to play disc golf, leading me to discs thrown out of my range of vision. He works diligently in harness and gives his full attention to his job at a moment’s notice. He knows his left and right turn commands and continues to amaze me every day. He also has a very fast gait, which matches my walking speed. Great fit.”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes?  “A friend and fellow advocate shared that Guiding Eyes is among the very best and that I am allowed to apply anywhere I choose. This awareness freed me to search across the country.  Guiding Eyes was the only application I submitted.  It is one of the best decisions of my life.” 

How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “Having Maguire made my life better, safer, and more fulfilling.  He inspires me to move forward and regain my life’s activities. When my vision first deteriorated, I thought my life was over, but I’ve learned that every day is an opportunity to learn something new, adapt, and make life better for myself and others. I now serve with Ann Arbor’s Commission on Disability Issues (CODI). Maguire joins me in visiting children via the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.  Recently, when we found ourselves in a busy parking lot, Maguire located the nearest sidewalk. He led me to a safer area, stopped at the curb, and looked up at me. Without a guide, I broke my foot on a roadside brick I was unable to see. With Maguire, I feel so much safer from environmental hazards. He makes sure I am safe, and in turn, I look out for him. He is a constant friend.  He’s taught me lessons in kindness, patience, and being a lifelong learner.”

Were there any training highlights?  “At school, he loved to play tug rope with the other dogs. I asked Maguire’s raisers, Larry and Mary, how they were able to let him go. They said it’s like raising children and allowing them to grow up, do their best, and pursue their work life. Guiding Eyes is the perfect matchmaker for the visually impaired and guide dogs. My primary instructor, Ben, was very attentive to my particular needs and, along with Michelle and Shannon, reviewed my daily life, matching my environments and interests. My building has a health club, so we trained in a similar health club near the school. Maguire learned to bring me to the treadmill and wait patiently at a safe distance. Next to the birth of my son and life itself, Maguire is the greatest gift I have ever received.  Thank you, Guiding Eyes.”

Meet Guide Dog Maguire

DOB:  7/2/2022
Litter ID: 4MM22
Color/Breed:  Yellow/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Male
Brood: Dawn
Stud: Dover
Littermates: Moana, Maverick, Mitch, Magnus, Marcy, Maxwell
Region:  Delmarva
Regional Puppy Instructor: Cindy Tait
Puppy Raiser:  The Delgado Family
Facebook: Delmarva Puppy Raisers

Photos of the Team…