Training Running Guide “Ten”

Seeing the dog and their graduate go conquer the world and be more independent and do things that they never necessarily thought they could…that’s what makes me keep going.

Jolene Hollister, Foundation Guide Dog Mobility Instructor

Jolene Hollister, a Guiding Eyes Foundation Guide Dog Mobility Instructor, works closely with our Running Guides Program. Extensively tested and trained dogs enable runners with vision loss or blindness to run without depending solely on human guides or restricting themselves to treadmills. It’s the only program of its kind in the world.

In an article in the Daily Voice, Jolene discusses her crucial role in preparing guide dog, Ten, to begin his partnership with Thomas Panek. Thomas is an avid marathon runner and the extremely active President and CEO of Guiding Eyes. He needed a guide dog with superior skills who could keep up with his pace and be a dependable and enthusiastic partner. Ten, named after Super Bowl MVP and board member Eli Manning’s retired number, fit the bill perfectly. The pair recently graduated on April 12, 2024.

Click to read the article in the Daily Voice.

To read about Thomas and Ten’s graduation day, click Graduation.