Sharon and Billy

Meet Graduate Sharon

Graduate Team: Sharon and Billy
About the Team:  Billy, a male yellow Labrador; Sharon’s 3rd guide dog
Location: River Forest, Illinois
Training: March 2025 On-Campus

Sharon served as a rehabilitation counselor for the State of Illinois for 25 years. After accepting early retirement, she began working at the Hadley School for the Blind, where students would mail in their lessons from all over the world.  For the past six years, Sharon has volunteered at Blind Service Chicago. For Sharon, this is a meaningful way to give back. Blind Service assisted her with reading textbook materials while in graduate school and reading mail and other things when she worked for the state. She enjoys teaching braille and values meeting her students in person, empowering them with skills that enhance their independence and employability. Sharon grew up in Chicago, but now lives in a suburb, which enables her to be closer to family. She cherishes being involved in the lives of her sons and grandchildren. Sharon has been a singer in churches for more than 30 years and continues to enjoy being an active member of a Catholic contemporary choir.

How would you describe your guide dog? “Billy is a large dog weighing almost 78 lbs. He is very careful and very smart, with a fabulous memory. His puppy raisers told me he has a memory like an elephant, and I agree with that. He is so gentle and such a joy to live with.”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes?  “I applied for my first guide dog in 2001 because I felt drivers were not paying attention to me. What helped me make my decision was working with many professionals who had guide dogs, particularly two blind professional women who had dogs from Guiding Eyes. It seemed to me that the best-behaved guides came from Guiding Eyes. The first person who interviewed me was great, and I feel that set the tone for the school.”

How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “I cannot tell you how much better I feel with the companionship Billy provides. It is great not having to walk alone all the time. He helps me on my commute to downtown Chicago, where I volunteer. The day after we got back home, I took Billy to Mass. Everyone was so welcoming, and this enabled me to sing with the choir and introduce him as well. Billy has his red rug to rest on and is now considered part of the group.”

Were there any training highlights? “I appreciated how the trainers worked with me. They were very positive and sought my input on what my needs were. I mentioned things I had really wanted to learn, and they incorporated them into the training. I take a train into the city, and even though it was a different train and city, they worked it into our day. They also took us to a place that was unfamiliar to the dogs, and that was a great experience. They also introduced me to an ID cane. I was initially skeptical, but it’s much smaller and lighter than a regular cane. I keep it on my right side, which helps me keep track of where things are. For example, his relief area is close to a pole. When I have that cane, I know exactly where the pole is.”

Meet Guide Dog Billy

DOB:  1/3/2023
Litter ID: 6B23
Color/Breed:  Yellow/Labrador
Gender: Male
Brood: Bonita

Stud: Loki
Littermates: Buster, Blanche, Beethoven, Benson, Beauty
Region:  New Hampshire, Eastern MA
Regional Puppy Instructor: Lisa Bumbalo
Puppy Raiser:  Michelle Russell, Susan Stock
Facebook: New Hampshire Puppy Raisers; Eastern Mass Puppy Raisers

From the Puppy Raiser…

Billy was always brave and smart. There were no situations he didn’t handle with happiness and interest. No matter what outings we were on, he seemed to always find a way to have a good time and learning experience. Everyone he met loved him, and he will be a perfect asset to his guide dog team. ~Susan Stock

Billy was the sweetest and smartest puppy from day one! I started Billy in NH. He was the 11 th puppy I have raised and the first pup that kept all 4 paws on the ground . He has been a solid, slow and steady pup and a joy to raise.  ~Michelle Russell

Photos of the Team…