WBRC Congratulates O&M Instructor on Guide Dog Puppy Graduate

Photo: Guide Dog Puppy in Training 'Rookie' on his first day at the WBRC

The Western Blind Rehabilitation Center would like to congratulate Ms. Lindsay Hass, WBRC Orientation and Mobility Instructor, on the recent graduation of ‘Rookie’ from Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael.  Rookie first came to the WBRC with Ms. Hass as an 8 week old male 3/4 yellow Labrador 1/4 golden retriever.  He was a ‘Guide Dog Puppy In Training’ who was raised and trained by Ms. Hass and accompanied her to work and in the community for about 18 months to become acclimated to a variety of environments, people, and situations prior to returning to Guide Dogs for the Blind for evaluation and additional training to become a Guide Dog. 

Photo: Rookie on his graduation day from Guide Dogs for the Blind

After successfully completing 8 phases of Guide Dog Training, Rookie was paired with an individual with vision loss and their ‘Team’ graduated from Guide Dogs for the Blind on October 17^th, 2015.  Rookie is the 6th Guide Dog puppy that Ms. Hass has raised for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Congratulations Lindsay and Rookie!

CLICK HERE to learn more about Puppy Raising through Guide Dogs for the Blind

CLICK HERE to learn more about Guide Dog Training at Guide Dogs for the Blind

WBRC Welcomes New Guide Dog Puppy in Training

Photo: WBRC's new Guide Dog Puppy in Training 'Rookie'

WBRC would like to welcome 'Rookie', a new Guide Dog puppy 'in training'.  Rookie is a 8 week old male 3/4 yellow Labrador 1/4 golden retriever who is being raised and trained by Lindsay Hass, WBRC Orientation and Mobility Specialist.  Rookie will accompany Ms. Hass to work and in the community for about 18 months to become acclimated to a variety of environments, people, and situations prior to returning to Guide Dogs for the Blind for evaluation and additional training to become a Guide Dog.  Rookie is the 6th Guide Dog puppy that Ms. Hass has raised for Guide Dogs for the Blind.  Her last Guide Dog puppy, Hawthorne, is currently participating in formal training at Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael, CA

WBRC Welcomes New Guide Dog Puppy In Training

Photo: Blythe, a Guide Dog Puppy in Training, sits in the grass outside the WBRC

WBRC would like to welcome 'Blythe', a new Guide Dog puppy 'in training'.  Blythe is a 15 week old female Golden Retriever puppy who is being raised and trained by Laura Koehler, WBRC Visual Skills Specialist.  Blythe will accompany Mrs. Koehler to work and in the community for about 12 months to become acclimated to a variety of environments, people, and situations prior to returning the Guide Dogs for the Blind for evaluation and additional training to become a Guide Dog.  Blythe is the 13th Guide Dog Puppy that Mrs. Koehler has raised for Guide Dogs for the Blind. 

CLICK HERE to learn more about the GUIDE DOG PUPPY RAISING PROGRAM

WBRC Welcomes New Guide Dog Puppy in Training

Photo: Cactus the Guide Dog puppy in training sitting in WBRC's Rec Room

WBRC would like to welcome 'Cactus', a new Guide Dog puppy 'in training'.  Cactus is a 12 week old female yellow Labrador who is being raised and trained by Laura Koehler, WBRC Orientation and Mobility Specialist.  Cactus will accompany Mrs. Koehler to work and in the community for about 18 months to become acclimated to a variety of environments, people, and situations prior to returning the Guide Dogs for the Blind for evaluation and additional training to become a Guide Dog. 

Photo: Cactus the Guide Dog puppy in training laying down at
the feet of Laura Koehler, O&M Instructor and Puppy Raiser

Cactus is the 12th Guide Dog puppy that Mrs. Koehler has raised for Guide Dogs for the Blind.  Her last Guide Dog puppy, Pedro, is currently an active Guide Dog in Texas. 

CLICK HERE to learn more about the GUIDE DOG PUPPY RAISING PROGRAM

WBRC 'Raised' Guide Dog puppy Graduates

'Pedro', the Guide Dog puppy raised by WBRC O&M specialist Laura Koehler, successfully completed his Guide Dog Training at Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafel, CA and 'Graduated' on January 22nd, 2011.

Pedro is the 11th Guide Dog puppy raised by Mrs. Koehler. Pedro has moved to Dallas, Texas with his handler and is working full time as a full fleged Guide Dog. Congradulations Pedro (and Laura)!