Growing pup: Guide dogs and handlers graduate from training

The most recent class of graduates celebrated the completion of 20 days of training with Southeastern Guide Dogs on Jan. 26.

People with visual impairments traveled to Sarasota, where they received specialized training with guide dogs, and were ultimately paired with a dog of their own.

Southeastern Guide Dogs operates on private donations, and its services include selective breeding and training, on-campus student instruction and lifetime follow-ups with graduates, at no cost to clients.

As CEO of Southeastern Guide Dogs Titus Herman puts it, the dogs and their new handlers, the trainers, volunteers and donors who work with the organization, make up “a thousand points of light,” who work together to make the world a brighter place.

Congratulations to the graduates of Class No. 262:

• Wendy Alling and Shasta
• Trish Bissell and Semper
• Mike Cook and Cameron
• Aaron Cornelius and Vernon
• Lacey Coward and Beecher
• Kimberly Quintana and Lolli
• Teagan Russ and Stanley
• Robert Volkerding and Flo
• Alysia Wells and Kiki
• Les Demers and Jannus (home placement)
• Amanda Furr and Bowie (home placement)
• Mike Truelock and Jasper (home placement)