When Laurel Hilbert, who has been blind since birth, made up his mind that his next step in life was to move to the United States, his friends and family were skeptical. He had no contacts, spoke no English and … Read more
Category: Graduate Tales
Achieving Goals — Michelle Plunkett, Guide Dogs of America Alumni
September 17, 2019Having a guide dog has helped me do so much… Michelle Plunkett may have only five percent of her vision, but she puts 100 percent into everything she does… and she does a lot. At her side is Jasper, her … Read more
Adam Bailey and His Dog Mica
July 16, 2019Adam Bailey, who lives in Lake Stevens, echoes those sentiments in gaining friends at GDA, as well as the tremendous difference his Guide Dog, Mica, has made in his life. “Before I had Mica, I used a white cane so … Read more
Antonio Fotualii and His Dog Ted
July 16, 2019Since receiving his golden lab “Ted” in May, Antonio Fotualii (age 29) has fewer restrictions and more choices. Antonio lives on Capitol Hill in Seattle, is a Type 1 diabetic who was diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy at the age of … Read more
Wesley and Mully, 8 years in the Making
April 12, 2019Wesley has been with his service dog, Mully, for 8 years!
Team Jirby: Viva Las Vegas!
January 10, 2019Recently Kirby and I made a trip to Las Vegas to visit family. Seeing the family was fun and of course they loved meeting Kirby, but the best part was how excited Kirby and I were about experiencing this adventure … Read more
“I just want to show everyone what we can do when we have faith.” – Derek Rabelo, Guide Dogs of America Graduate Class #405
January 7, 2019by Zachary Gittlen GDA graduate Derek Rabelo has always been close with his father. “I may make fun of his big belly now, but we are best friends. He’s my hero and he has always encouraged me to do anything.” … Read more
Team Jirby: A Trip to the Dentist
September 20, 2018As you can imagine, a flood of questions bombarded my mind. What will I do with Kirby when I am getting my teeth cleaned or while I am having x-rays? Where will he sit? Will he be worried? Then I … Read more
Tom Olzak’s GDA Story
August 31, 2018Tom 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
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
