Sharlene and Hollywood

Meet Graduate Sharlene

Graduate Team: Sharlene and Hollywood
About the Team: Hollywood, a female yellow Lab, is Sharlene’s 7^th guide dog, 1st from Guiding Eyes
Location: Bend, Oregon
Training:  February 2025 On-Campus

Sharlene retired after nearly 33 years of service with Los Angeles County, including roles in the personnel office and the District Attorney’s office. She has participated in over 50 marathons and several ultramarathons, along with countless 5K and 10K races. She is a member of Oregon Adaptive Sports, serves as the secretary for the Portland Chapter of the American Council of the Blind, and is a member of the Bend, Oregon Transportation Bond Oversight Committee. She participates in Taizé, a nondenominational contemplative group that originated in France, and attends monthly meetings that include simple singing and readings for contemplation, as well as singing at local churches. She enjoys reading and staying active by hiking, tandem biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Sharlene is looking forward to attending the ACB convention this summer with Hollywood and is excited about completing one of her bucket list items while there: riding in a hot air balloon! Sharlene has many close friends nearby and a son and two grandsons in Utah, whom she frequently visits, traveling by bus.

How would you describe your guide dog? “She is a bouncy little cannonball, but with a good work ethic. She is very sharp, bright, and clever! She thrusts her head into the harness when she sees it coming. If I say the word walk, she’s all ears and wagging tail. She’s young and still has a lot of puppy traits, which keeps me on my toes! She loves to play. I get tired sooner than she does, though! She’s my first yellow Lab. Even though she gets treats, she is not a scavenger, and I am impressed with that! She’s a good one! Her raisers, Phil and Jacqueline, did a wonderful job with her.”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “When my previous dog from another school wasn’t successful, I researched several schools and was impressed with Guiding Eyes’ programs, especially the Running Guide Program! I also like their attitude towards using treat rewards in their training program. I knew their dogs would likely be used to snow and ice, too. I have a friend who graduated with her guide dog from Guiding Eyes last year. She went through the same type of difficulties at other schools and was impressed with Guiding Eyes. I was accepted but decided not to participate in the Running Guide Program because I don’t have the means to run the way I’d like. ”

How has having a guide dog impacted your life?  “The first time I ever picked up a guide dog harness and walked forward, I cried. It meant so much freedom to me. I was not afraid as a young person and went everywhere. I was good with a cane, but at 30, I got my first dog. You are so much freer with a guide dog, especially one who is trained, with whom you can be a wonderful team. Yes, there are responsibilities to adjust to. It’s been a wake-up call to have to get up at certain times and to go out in all weather. There are things I’d be confident in doing with a guide dog but not with a cane, like hiking without sighted assistance. Freedom is the key word. It’s so much easier and you have much more freedom as long as you trust your dog and remember that the dog is your eyes. It is also nice to have someone else to talk to, and trust me, they answer you back!”

Were there any training highlights?  “It was the openness and positive dealings with my instructor Dan, that was really the highlight for me. He listened to what I had to say. He didn’t say in any way that I didn’t know what I was talking about, or didn’t know what I was doing. That was wonderful. He was so positive and complimentary. Everything was so positive! He even said he learned some things from me, and I really appreciated that. The food was very good too! I could never convince them to give me less! The chef had some interesting ideas of combinations, but they worked! It was so much more relaxed and positive for me than I’ve experienced at other schools. I really appreciate that. I can be pretty stubborn and opinionated, and it was a very, very good experience!”

Meet Guide Dog Hollywood

DOB:  1/20/2023
Litter ID: 4H23|
Color/Breed:  Yellow/Labrador
Gender: Female
Brood: Colleen
Stud: Everett
Littermates: Hank, Hazel, Helsa, Hercules, Heart, Hula, Hopkins, Hepburn, Henley, Hollis
Region:  Westchester
Regional Puppy Instructor: Monika Conrad/Elizabeth Vacchiano
Puppy Raiser:  Phillip & Jacqueline Gubish
Facebook: Westchester Puppy Raisers

From the Puppy Raiser…

To Sharlene and Hollywood: Love, live, appreciate everything and everyone and every moment!!! Never fear anything! ~ Phil Gubish

Photos of the Team…