Lee and Nashville

Meet Graduate Lee

Graduate Team: Lee and Nashville
About the Team: Nashville: a male yellow Lab; Lee’s 3^rd Guiding Eyes dog
Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Training: February 2025 On-Campus

Lee was born and raised in North Carolina, where he has spent his entire life. Lee works for IFB Solutions in Winston-Salem, a non-profit organization that employs individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The organization manufactures a variety of products for base supply centers located on military bases and in federal office buildings. In the clothing manufacturing division, Lee sews apparel and items for the U.S. Military, which is particularly meaningful to him. He enjoys his work and appreciates the opportunity to support those in uniform, even though he may not have had the chance to serve in the military himself. Lee appreciates the increased independence, ease of travel, and companionship he gains by having a guide dog by his side. Nashville is his third guide dog from Guiding Eyes; his previous guide dogs were Ohio and Tex. Lee loves the outdoors and enjoys spending time in nature, especially when fishing and waiting for that perfect catch.

How would you describe your guide dog? “Nashville is a very sweet dog who loves everyone he meets. He is very energetic and gets on well with everyone. When he gets something right I reach down and hug him, and I can feel his tail wagging with excitement. He knows when he has done something good for me. He is my loving companion. I am working on teaching him my route home from the bus stop.”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “To be honest, years ago, I had originally applied to another organization, but I hadn’t heard back from them. One day, I was speaking with a friend who recommended Guiding Eyes. I told myself I would go with whichever organization I heard back from first. Guiding Eyes called me within a week, and the rest is history. Coming back for my third dog, I feel it’s a great organization, and I’ve had no reason to go anywhere else.”

How has having a guide dog impacted your life?  “A guide dog certainly increases my independence. I like going to work and a guide dog allows me to do that. When I put that harness on him, and we head down a hill it gives me a feeling of freedom. I don’t need to worry about getting my cane out. If I come across an obstacle, he moves me around it. I am also hearing impaired, and when crossing busy streets I may not hear every car, so I rely on him to keep me safe.”

Were there any training highlights? “It is difficult to say. Training is hard work. I am there to learn and get to know my guide dog. North Carolina gets cold but not like New York does. The second day we were outside, it was only 4 degrees and the wind was blowing. That was a challenge. I was concerned I wouldn’t be able to do it, but when I got out there, all bundled up with my hand on his handle, it was he and I together dealing with this. I got back to my room and thought, ‘WOW we did this together’, and I had such a sense of achievement.”

Meet Guide Dog Nashville

DOB:  3/10/2022
Litter ID: 10N22
Color/Breed:  Yellow/Labrador
Gender: Male
Brood: Emblem
Stud: Everett
Littermates: Richie, Neala, Nigel, Nutella, Nexus, Russell, Navy, Newton, Nomad
Region:  Cleveland East, Cleveland West
Regional Puppy Instructor: Macy Nauman
Puppy Raiser:  Susan & Lorenzo Bocciarelli, Mark Modic
Facebook: Ohio Puppy Raisers

From the Puppy Raiser…

I am very proud of Nashville and excited for the team to go forward in life. We spent many hours walking, bus riding, visiting the mall. We greeted many people, sometimes too enthusiastically. My entire family was sad to see him go, especially my young grandson who became very fond of Nashville. But, I think he realized that Nashville had a greater purpose. “Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” Theodore Roosevelt  ~ Mark Modic

Photos of the Team…