Tom Olzak was first introduced to Guide Dogs of America (GDA) at a California Council for the Blind convention in 2004. It was there that a GDA instructor offered Tom to take one of our guide dogs for a test … Read more
Category: Graduate Tales
Team Jirby: “New Family”
August 30, 2018Kirby’s puppy raiser is his Puppy Mama! Her name is Jennifer Beuhler. I never anticipated meeting Kirby’s puppy raiser and then instantly becoming family! On the day of Graduation I had no idea of what I was about to experience … Read more
Team Jirby’s Miracle Journey: They Had Me At Hello!
July 19, 2018When I arrived at GDA, they had me at hello! I met the trainers who understood my vision, met the people in my class, I realized that I was in the right place at the right time. Kirby was my … Read more
Team Jirby’s Miracle Journey: The day I met Kirby
June 7, 2018What is it like to receive a guide dog? Well, it is like nothing that has ever happened to me before. I arrived at Guide Dogs of America on a Sunday and moved into the dorms. Instantly I developed a … Read more
GDA Grad Inspires CW Pilot
May 29, 2018Guide Dogs of America is honored to receive support from CW Good Guide Dogs of America is honored to receive support from CW Good, the philanthropic arm of the CW Network. Their participation has come in the form of sponsorships, … Read more
Team Jirby’s Miracle Journey
May 24, 2018My experience at Guide Dogs of America and receiving my Guide Dog Kirby were truly modern day miracles. My miracle journey began 20 years ago when I was diagnosed with the family eye disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa. For those unfamiliar … Read more
GDA’s “It” Factor
August 20, 2017What is it that makes someone choose Guide Dogs of America for their first guide dog and what keeps others coming back time after time? We asked our graduates to tell us, in their own words and through their personal … Read more
Guide Dogs of America Grads Are On The Go
June 13, 2017When students arrive at GDA, it is with the goal of achieving greater independence, mobility and freedom. Having the assistance and companionship of a guide dog certainly makes the day-to-day and routine activities easier. But for guide dog teams, exploring … Read more
Naval Medical Center San Diego Facility Dog, Murphy
November 11, 2014Facility Dogs can perform custom cues and behaviors that allow for their professional handlers to effectively utilize them during animal assisted therapy.
Dottie’s Ability to Acclimate
April 23, 2014From the coast of California to the forests of Alaska, Facility Dog Dottie shows her ability to acclimate to any situation. Whose role once assisted children at The Winston School in Del Mar, CA, she now has been given the … Read more
