Graduate Team: Shelly and Barney
About the Team: Barney; male yellow Lab; Shelly’s 4th guide dog
Location: Minnesota
Training: November 2024 On-Campus
Shelly recently returned to Guiding Eyes to receive her fourth guide dog, Barney, a yellow Labrador Retriever. Barney follows in the large pawprints of Rusty, her retired guide dog from Guiding Eyes. Shelly and Barney live in the cold climates of Minnesota and look forward to walks in the warmer weather. In her free time, Shelly enjoys reading, watching TV, and attending events hosted by the Lion Club or her local blindness group. She also stays active by going to the gym and taking Judo classes.
How would you describe your guide dog? “Barney likes people and loves to play. He would play for hours if I would let him. He is a little different from my other dogs, just lying quietly when I pet him rather than wagging his tail and licking my face, but I’m getting used to it. Sometimes, we go to The Mall of America where he helps me find the Caribou Coffee shop. He wags his tail when we get close to it. He also enjoys going to my local pet store where they occasionally give him treats. I put boots on him to walk on the salty pavements.”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “I was familiar with Guiding Eyes because I had previously received a dog from them. Some of my friends have also received dogs from Guiding Eyes. I like that they provide some help with veterinary bills after graduation. Not all organizations do.”
How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “Having a dog allows me to get out and be more independent. I also feel safer when walking with my dog. I am looking forward to the warmer weather so we will be able to walk outside more.”
Were there any training highlights? “My favorite part was meeting all the other dogs! The food was also great, and I liked the dorm rooms. I appreciated the extras, like Smart TVs.”
DOB: 8/31/2022
Litter ID: 3B322
Color/Breed: Yellow/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Male
Brood: Helen
Stud: Dover
Littermates: Bean, Bingo, Baja, Brindy, Boston, Bonnet, Bruno
Region: Cleveland East
Regional Puppy Instructor: Macy Nauman
Puppy Raiser: Paige Dyer
Facebook: Ohio Puppy Raisers
We were only going to be puppy starters with Barney. Well, within the first 24 hours of meeting him, we asked if we could raise him the entire time and we are so glad we did! He fit in our family wonderfully with his fun, energetic personality. Barney spent many hours at the college library and nestled on the laps of Paige and her twin sister during zoom classes. He did amazingly well attending a lengthy college graduation In a tightly packed arena. He enjoyed taking boat rides on Lake Erie with his ears flopping in the wind, as well as settling on the deck. He is a hard working, quick learning, snuggly dog who will try his hardest to be the best guide. Barnacles, we love you! ~The Dyers