Todd and Edsel

Meet Graduate Todd

Graduate Team: Todd and Edsel
About the Team: Edsel: a male black Lab; Todd’s 2^nd guide dog
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Training: March 2025 On-Campus

Todd was raised and currently resides in Indianapolis, where he works with a concert photographer,  providing technical and design support for the photographer’s website. He was born with low vision due to a congenital condition, X-linked retinoschisis, and lost the balance of his vision in his junior year while attending Purdue University. His hobbies and interests include music, traveling, and roller coasters. Before losing his sight, Todd enjoyed adventurous activities like caving, mountain climbing, and parachuting out of planes. However, his passion for music continues with his enjoyment of listening to Smashing Pumpkins, Rosalie Cunningham, and 60’s psychedelic rock. Edsel is Todd’s second guide dog and is also trained as a running guide. Todd is looking forward to hiking and running more with Edsel by his side.  

How would you describe your guide dog?  “Edsel is a rather large Lab and very energetic. He is always ready to work, and he loves jumping up on me to let me know how happy he is. He often thinks he is a lap dog. I have a fifteen-year-old Pitbull, Zeus. Edsel and Zeus have become like brothers. It took them all of ten minutes to pal around.”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes?  “Years ago, my mom saw a clip about guide dogs and Guiding Eyes for the Blind on one of the morning news shows. Upon learning more about it, I decided that when I was ready to apply for a guide dog, my choice would be Guiding Eyes. I waited for several years to apply because I had adopted my Pitbull as a rescue and he required my attention at that time, but it was this connection that was the beginning of my pursuit of a guide dog. I am very pleased to have gone to Guiding Eyes. I feel like the hands-on care that I have received before, during, and after is exemplary and of the highest quality.”

How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “With Edsel, I do much more traveling and feel much more secure. When I had Zeus as a companion, our walks involved me relying on a cane. With a guide dog, I don’t take the lead. We avoid obstacles, including low-hanging branches, which is a huge relief. I can now get to local stores a whole lot easier. I am scheduled to get running guide training with Edsel at home soon. I am looking forward to that. I have had intermittent leg problems as a result of injuries sustained seven years ago when hit by a car. Now, I am even more motivated to train for runs and raise funds for the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research.”

Were there any training highlights? “We had a great time training in White Plains, at FDR Park in Yorktown, and at the Mt. Kisco train station. My trainers tried to include environments that I would encounter when I returned home, different terrains, and various modes of transportation, including trains, subways, and buses. A trip to Brad’s Bakery was a special perk. The campus accommodations were incredible. There was plenty of space in the dormitory as well as at the dog playground. There were six of us in our group. We got together in Alumni Hall and watched the film Wicked and hung out. Our group has maintained a group chat since graduating. Chef Rob is awesome. Ben, my primary trainer, was great. I felt naturally comfortable with him immediately. When I felt like I was screwing up during my training, he made me relax and was very encouraging.”

Meet Guide Dog Edsel

DOB:  9/12/2022
Litter ID: 1E322
Color/Breed:  Black/Labrador
Gender: Male
Brood: Locket
Stud: Everett
Littermates: Everest, Elias, Ellie, Echo, Eclair
Region:  Cleveland West
Regional Puppy Instructor: Macy Nauman
Puppy Raiser:  Mr. & Mrs. Larry Dean, Jeanne Dregalla
Facebook: Ohio Puppy Raisers

Photos of the Team…