Victoria and Brooklyn

Meet Graduate Victoria

Graduate Team:  Victoria and Brooklyn
About the Team:  Brooklyn, a yellow female Lab; Vickie’s 3^rd guide dog
Location:  Cortlandt Manor, New York
Training:  June 2025 On-Campus

 Vickie was recently matched with her third guide dog, Brooklyn, a name that is particularly meaningful to her as she was born in Brooklyn, NY. Although her family moved to Elmsford in Westchester County when she was three, they continued weekly visits to Brooklyn to spend time with relatives. Vickie became a registered nurse, working in that role for five years before transitioning to working weekends as a charge nurse after their 2nd child turned 6 months old. When her husband passed away in a tragic auto accident, Vickie was left feeling unable to continue in the medical field. She then found a second career as a children’s librarian while raising her daughters and caring for her father, who suffered from Lou Gehrig’s disease. Vickie eventually remarried and is enjoying retirement with her husband. She is a member of the Lay Associates of the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Peekskill. Vickie speaks very fondly of her previous guide dogs; her first dog, Madeline, was her first introduction to Guiding Eyes. Her second dog, Peppy, recently retired after working 10 years and 3 months. As it turned out, he retired just in time as he developed serious health issues. Besides preparing him a special diet, Vickie enjoys spending time outdoors on the porch with Peppy when the sun is setting. Vickie has always loved to read, but due to her vision loss, she is adapting to listening to audiobooks.

How would you describe your guide dog?  “Brooklyn is a young, energetic dog. She is very caring and makes me laugh. She loves to play, and if I don’t have time to play with her, she will search through the toy box looking for a toy. Brooklyn and Peppy hang out together, and it has been good for Peppy. It is amazing. If he is feeling a little anxious, Brooklyn lies next to him, and that seems to help. Brooklyn is a very willing and excellent guide dog and accompanies me, making me feel safe.”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes?  “I had the misconception that a person needed to have no vision to be eligible for a guide dog. I knew nothing about guide dogs or being a handler. One day in 2004, I had an appointment with the low vision specialist, and she asked me if I had considered getting a guide dog. Even though I was legally blind, I had not realized I would be eligible. Later that same day, I was at the Jefferson Valley Mall, and I was using my cane. I went outside to wait for my husband, and a Guiding Eyes van drove by. The person asked me if I had thought about getting a guide dog, which prompted me to apply to Guiding Eyes. In 2005, I received my first guide dog, Madeline.”

How has having a guide dog impacted your life? Having guide dogs has made a big impact on my life. A guide dog allows me to remain active outside the house. I would not have the life that I have if I didn’t have guide dogs. With a cane, I always worry about people tripping over it, but when I am with my guide dog, I don’t have that worry.”

Were there any training highlights?  “One day, we were out on our training route, and there was a dog over to one side. Brooklyn got distracted thinking that maybe it was time to play and I was having a tough time connecting with her. My trainer taught me a trick to get her to refocus, which was something new for me. I did ‘touch’ a couple of times and some obedience training.  It worked very well. The trainers are wonderful. Anytime I had a question or a problem, they had a solution.”

Meet Guide Dog Brooklyn

DOB: 8/23/2023
Litter ID: 4B323
Color/Breed:  Yellow/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Female
Brood: Violet
Stud: Midnight
Littermates: Bronco, Beau, Brady, Beckett, Blake
Region:  Fingerlakes
Regional Puppy Instructor: Cassie Houghton
Puppy Raiser:  Tara Kesel & Family, The Doubet Family
Facebook: Fingerlakes NY Puppy Raisers

From the Puppy Raiser…

Brooklyn was such a sweet and loving pup right from the start. She was a well-behaved girl who loved to work and cuddle. She always had such confidence and was ready to take on the world but also loved her people and being around them. We called her Brookie Cookie because she was so sweet. Brooklyn loved to hang out with kids at school and cuddle up with her other dog siblings during her down time. We are so proud of Brooklyn and cannot wait to see watch her continue to grow and mature. We are certain she will excel as a guide dog! ~ Shannon Doubet

Photos of the Team…