- April 23, 2024
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Nine canines and their human companions graduated at the ceremony.
Amanda Lannan and her dog, Doug, have worked together for 26 days.
Sean Moore and Rob graduated side by side.
Terry Snyder and Woogie enjoy each other's company before the graduation.
Joel and Sandy Cuba have sponsored other guide dogs in the past.
Third generation Marine, Michael Jernigan co-founded the Paws for Patriots program, through Southeastern Guide Dogs.
Shelby Colston, Dick Neaves, Cathy Markowitz and Debbie Engleson huddle around their table, while waiting for their meals.
Rick Holden, a director with Southeastern Guide Dogs, reviews the graduation pamphlet.
A former teacher, Treva Reynolds loves Thunder's calm personality and easygoing demeanor.
CEO Titus Herman reads an excerpt from Dr. Seuss' Oh the Places You'll Go.
Amanda Frazier and her fluffy friend, Mimi Jill, will be lifelong friends.
Christa Friedlander, Kay Karioth and Len Friedlander helped raise money at a local walkathon to name a Southeastern Guide Dog, Treasure.
Heather Holland and Lisa O'Kane, both of Southeastern Guide Dogs, say cheese before their entrees are served.
Mary-Lou Moulton and Marge Barpal have attended other guide dog graduations.
For the last 26 days, nine men and women spent their days forging relationships with their new best friends — golden retrievers, labradors and goldadors, a retriever-lab mix.
Through the Southeastern Guide Dogs program, the participants and their furry friends practice and learn more than 40 commands, such as sit, stay and when to turn left and right.
The dogs are trained to lead their visually impaired counterparts, and must master the commands before moving on to graduation, which was held Aug. 27 at Polo Grill and Bar's Fete Ballroom.
Participants must first have mastered using a cane before being admitted in to the program.
"These people, before having a dog, they're always looking down to feel around and avoid falling," said Ruth Lando, spokesperson for Southeastern Guide Dogs. "Once they have their friend, they start looking up for the first time in their lives. They gain a sense of confidence; it's a beautiful thing."
U.S. Marine Corps veteran Michael Jernigan lost his sight during a tour in a Iraq. A bomb crushed his forehead, injured his brain, ruined his eyesight and harmed other areas of his body.
He said his life changed for the better when he discovered Southeastern Guide Dogs and formed a friendship with Brittany. She retired recently, and Jernigan is now working with his new best friend, Treasure.
The pair is an example of the program's mission to create lasting friendships and partnerships, Lando said.
"When I was in the service, I fought to protect the man on my left and on my right," Jernigan said. "The hardest thing about leaving the Marine Corps was not having that camaraderie anymore. Now, I have that support. She's my battle buddy."
