Graduate Team: Wendy and July
About the Team: July, a female black Lab; Wendy’s 10th guide dog, 6th Guiding Eyes
Location: Seattle, Washington
Wendy is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who first learned about Guiding Eyes at an American Council of the Blind (ACB) convention in 1988. Her guide dog, from another school, passed away shortly afterward. As a University of Washington graduate student and parent of an 8-year-old, she knew staying on that school’s waitlist would be a real hardship and applied to Guiding Eyes. Matched with Dutchess, she began her long relationship with the organization. Wendy began to lose her vision at age 8 due to Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, and July is her sixth Guiding Eyes dog. She says she will never go anywhere else. Approaching her 15th year on the Guiding Eyes Board of Directors, Wendy loves being able to give back. She and her husband, Larry, also a graduate, have traveled internationally, taken cruises, and skied across the U.S. with their guide dogs. The couple lives and travels independently, exploring places they once thought impossible and enjoying experiences they would never have considered without their trusted guides. In 2010, Wendy’s travels with her Guiding Eyes dogs inspired her to write “Sites Unseen: Traveling the World without Sight.”
How would you describe your guide dog? “July is pure joy. She is a very happy girl from morning until night. Her tail is constantly wagging, and she is full of kisses. She is extremely smart, picks up on routes and destinations quickly, and is nicely tolerating the loud city sounds of Seattle – lots of traffic, sirens, construction, and people and dogs. She is learning what is important to focus on and what to ignore. I love her fun and spunky personality and enjoy snuggling up with her after a long walk.”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “I can’t imagine my life without a GEB dog. I have been happy with my previous five dogs, know many of the trainers, understand the incredible genetics that go into the breeding program, and have full trust and faith in the matching process. Being on the Board of Directors, I’ve had the opportunity to learn more about the workings of the school and some of the challenges behind the scenes. I maintain that these are the best guide dogs in the field. I also appreciate the ability to have follow-up help if needed, and have often consulted with the GEB vets when I’ve needed medical advice for my dogs. It’s the best school for my needs, I’m convinced.”
How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “Having a guide dog keeps me active, gives me confidence, and has provided so many opportunities. I know I am always safe with my dog guiding me. I really don’t know if I would have had the courage and ability to pursue my academic and professional career, travel extensively, and enjoy so many new environments without them. I got my first guide just before going off to college at the University of California, Davis, a huge campus requiring most students to ride bikes. I remember being so exhausted from all the walking. After a year, I returned my first dog and received my second, a truly excellent guide dog. He opened up the world to me. With him, I was able to attend different colleges, live in many environments, and I even had him when I married and had my son. Each guide since then has been wonderful and special in their own way, allowing me to earn my doctorate, work at a large teaching hospital for 25 years, and move into a new community recently and build my own private practice. Also, July is fun to work with; she makes me laugh and adds great joy and a loving presence to my life.”
Were there any training highlights? “I love the way GEB individualizes the training to make sure that the important aspects of our everyday lives are covered. I went into Manhattan twice during training, proving to me that July is a very city-sound dog. I appreciate the carefulness with which July was trained, the wonderful instruction received, and the respect the entire staff shows the students. I just can’t say enough good things about the entire experience. Thank you, Guiding Eyes, for another amazing, beautiful, and trustworthy guide dog!”
DOB: 10/2/2023
Litter ID: 5J323
Color/Breed: Black/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Female
Brood: Irene
Stud: Arnie
Littermates: Joe, Jady, Java, Joan, Juliet, Jan, Jetta
Region: Richmond
Regional Puppy Instructor: Madeline Bruggeman
Puppy Raiser: Nicole Broughton, The Doyle Family
Facebook: Richmond Puppy Raisers
July was a friend to everyone always giving kisses and tail wags. She loved hanging out on the softball field cheering on her favorite team. July was never far away, always ready to lay a paw on you to let you know she was there. ~ Shannon Doyle
