Graduate Team: Suzanne and True
About the Team: True, a female yellow Lab; Suzanne’s 3rd Guiding Eyes dog
Hometown: Lowell, Massachusetts
Training: April 2026, On Campus
Suzanne lives in Lowell, Massachusetts, a New England city less than an hour from Boston, with her husband of twenty-four years, Jeff, and her guide dog, True. She was born without vision due to ROP. Suzanne attended Hope College in Michigan, where she earned a double major in psychology and English, then launched her career as a social worker, helping visually impaired adults and older adults connect with available community services. She now works as a freelance writer, creating blog entries for online business advertising pages, successfully applying her education across related careers. In her free time Suzanne enjoys reading mystery and suspense novels, exercising, and listening to music.
How would you describe your guide dog? “True is very smart, fun-loving, spunky, and when not working, she can be quite silly.”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “I always loved Guiding Eyes. They are a special organization that cares about their guide dogs as well as the students they serve. They really listen and respect their guide dog recipients.”
How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “I am still capable and do fine getting around with a cane. However, having a guide dog by my side is my preferred mode of travel. It gives me confidence, speed, and greater freedom. Honestly, my guide dogs have given me an alternative way to get around safely and comfortably, especially knowing I am with a companion. I am more comfortable with a guide dog when traveling further from home, as well as to work and new places.”
Were there any training highlights: “I had lots of fun in my training class. The class was comprised of six adults, ranging in age. There were great vibes between both the instructors and students, and between the students themselves. Everyone was so supportive of each other. Olivia, my trainer, is very smart and intuitive. She really listened to me and understood my needs. She accepted my past training experience as well as some bad habits I developed. The highlight of my training experience was going to Manhattan with my class and seeing how well our group performed. In addition, the food served on campus was great, and the dining staff was so much fun. I want to give a shout-out to the entire staff who helped make the dorm experience very comfortable. They really work hard to make things right. A shout-out as well to the volunteers who ran trivia night and the yoga classes.”
DOB: 4/29/2024
Litter ID: 8T24
Color/Breed: Yellow/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Female
Brood: Sandra
Stud: Nigel
Littermates: Texas, Tucker, Tad, Tristan, Trinity, Travis, Tommy, Tanner
Region: Cleveland West
Regional Puppy Instructor: Macy Nauman
Puppy Raiser: Jonathan & Margot Koenig
Facebook: Ohio Puppy Raisers
True’s greatest strength is her natural eagerness to learn and her instinct to care for others. We have such fond memories of training her and watching her try to anticipate what we might ask of her next. We still smile remembering how she’d hear us coming down the stairs and dash to her bed, settling into her “place” with her paws neatly crossed—so ready and eager for praise. She truly was born to be a working dog and a devoted companion. We’ll especially miss our walks with her, feeling her tail gently thumping against her leg—such a small, constant reminder of how much joy she found in everything. ~ Margot and Jonathan Koenig
