Southeastern Guide Dogs celebrates graduates

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."