Yoga
is a female Black Lab, born 16 March 2006. She is being raised by Karie of
Rochester. Although Yoga is the first puppy Karie has raised for
GEB, she previously raised "Cora" from Upstate Guide Dogs.
Yoga returned to GEB with some pals for their IFT on 25 September 2007 and
graduated with her new partner, Tiffany, on 26 April 2008.
Click HERE
to see more pictures of Yoga!
Of the graduation experience, Karie writes:
Yoga was my
first GEB puppy, and I was very excited to find out she was actually going
to graduate. I don’t know if I was more afraid of her going bonkers and
dragging her new partner all over the stage when she saw me, or of her not
remembering me at all after 7 months. As it turned out, neither of my fears
were justified. When I walked up to get my certificate, I saw her head go
up briefly, then settle right back down on Tiffany’s shoe. I could scarcely
believe that my hyper girl was being so well behaved! If it weren’t for her
signature long ears and unusually long, feathered tail, I would have thought
they had the wrong dog!
It wasn’t
until after the ceremony, when Tiffany was gracious enough to ask if I would
like to spend some play time with her that I saw what an amazing tool the
harness actually is. The whole time Yoga was wearing her harness, she was a
calm, well-behaved and strikingly professional working dog. The second
Tiffany removed her harness, however…Holy Cow! THERE was the energetic girl
I knew and loved! Jumping 3 and 4 feet off the floor, profuse kisses and
tail wagging…It was just great to see her again, and to see her with someone
who so obviously cared about her.
From start
to finish, my day at Guiding Eyes was a complete delight. I think the thing
I moved me the most, was that the staff and audience members alike were
dabbing at their eyes after a particularly moving song or speech. I feel
much more confident now, knowing that the puppies that we raise and love as
our own are passed on to people who will care for them just as much as we
did.
From the Guiding Eyes for the Blind April 2008
Graduates page:
Tiffany W. & Yoga
Northern Illinois University student returns for a new canine
college companion
Tiffany, 26, came from Illinois for Yoga, her third guide dog, but second
from Guiding Eyes. She selected Guiding Eyes after serious internet
research, and was particularly impressed by the school’s individualized
approach to matching students with dogs. As a student at Northern Illinois
University Tiffany first focused on studies in General Education, but
switched to a major in economics with a minor in social work.
Tiffany enjoys camping, traveling, hiking on nature trails. She also
likes baking (German cakes with yeast are her specialty), watching
television, and hanging out with friends. She says that Yoga’s fun-loving,
sensitive, and playful nature is a perfect match for her. “She is an awesome
angel on four legs! She will help me travel safely, efficiently and quickly
with more confidence. Coming back to Guiding Eyes was like coming home - I
believe there is no other place like it in the world.”
Return to All
GEB Puppies or Dogs
of Monroe
