Graduate Team: Spencer and Commander
About the Team: Commander, a male black Lab; Spencer’s 3rd Guiding Eyes dog
Hometown: Briggsdale, Colorado
Training: June 2026 On-Campus
Spencer was born and raised in a rural town 65 miles north of Denver, where he still lives. The town is best known as the western gateway to Pawnee National Grassland, with dramatic sandstone cliffs rising from the western prairie. He and his wife, Ronda, have one adult daughter. Spencer has spent the past 13 years working in healthcare, providing home care services to the elderly and disabled. He also does small engine repairs and, from time to time, tends to 3,000 cattle on the family’s 40-acre ranch. He is totally blind due to a traumatic incident in 1992. His hobbies include rock climbing, spending time outdoors, and tinkering with motorcycles in his free time. Commander is his third guide dog from Guiding Eyes.
How would you describe your guide dog? “Commander is excellent. He is a gentle giant and very attentive. He weighs around 76 lbs. My two prior guide dogs were Carl and Keith. They each weighed nearly 90 lbs. Commander is still young though, and I expect he will fill out a bit more.”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “During my initial search for a guide dog, way back when, I had called five guide dog schools. When I first spoke to Guiding Eyes, I liked their what I heard and the background information, and felt that Guiding Eyes was better run and everything they offered seemed tighter and more organized.”
How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “Greater freedom. I had freedom when I mastered the cane, but I learned that I had even more freedom as well as a companion with a guide dog. To use an analogy, it was like comparing the flight of a rooster with a falcon. I have a tendency to veer off to the side when using my cane, but this does not happen with a guide dog.”
Were there any training highlights? “The classes now are much smaller than my original class experiences with Guiding Eyes. There were six students in my class. I received a lot more time to get to know the trainers, and for them to get to know me. I received better, more personalized attention and training. Kat was my primary trainer. She was always available to me and very thorough. My training included visiting the City of White Plains, a local mall, and several parks and trails in order to train me to navigate through despite wildlife distractions along the way. Kat made sure my training checked all the boxes.”
DOB: 12/18/2023
Litter ID: 7C423
Color/Breed: Black/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Male
Brood: Aura
Stud: Colonel
Littermates: Carson, Clara, Campbell, Corrine
Region: Erie NY
Regional Puppy Instructor: Cassie Houghton
Puppy Raiser: Hedyanne & George Richert
Facebook: Erie NY Puppy Raisers
Commander was such an easy pup to raise! We were just planning on starting him, but after just a few days with him, we decided to raise him because we enjoyed having him in our home. He brought so much joy to our house. He loved water in any form! He loved walking in creeks, playing in pools, swimming and even surprised me in the shower once! He was content occupying himself with a benebone when we were home, but was always up for an adventure or an outing. He enjoyed car rides, neighborhood walks and hiking. He loved his puppy classes and learning new skills. At least once a day, he had the fastest zoomies I have ever seen! I am so proud of you Commander! Be the best guide dog you can be! ~ Hedyanne Richert
