Anthony and Quantum

Meet Graduate Anthony

Graduate Team:  Anthony and Quantum
About the Team:  Quantum, a yellow, male Labrador Retriever is Anthony’s 1^st guide dog.
Location:  Satellite Beach, Florida
Training: August 2024 On-Campus

Anthony is originally from Chicago but now lives in the coastal city of Satellite Beach in Florida. In high school, he displayed his entrepreneurial spirit by starting a business mowing lawns. This effort grew into Anthony’s career as owner of a landscape business. After many years of Chicago’s cold and snow, he now enjoys retirement and living steps from the beach in sunny Florida.  Anthony keeps busy as owner of rental properties and enjoys spending time with his young adult children and his fiancé.  He looks forward to getting more involved locally with the Brevard Association for the Advancement of the Blind, an organization headquartered in his city, that provides services for people who are visually impaired.

How would you describe your guide dog? “Quantum is amazing!  He is my shadow and always right by my side.  I am impressed by his intelligence and how quickly he learns.  On a recent trip, he knew how to find our hotel room after just one visit!  Since training, we have made many trips to the mall to practice our skills. He now targets the elevator like a pro. Around the house, he is much like a pet, but once he has his harness on, he is a guide. He has exceeded my expectations in both roles.”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes?  “I was on vacation on a cruise and met another blind passenger who happened to work for Guiding Eyes. After the cruise, she arranged a phone conference with herself and another member of the Guiding Eyes staff to educate me on the school, application process, etc.  After this meeting, I did research, read lots of reviews, and applied to several guide dog schools.  Guiding Eyes quickly became my top choice.  The continued support and follow-up after the initial training really sets Guiding Eyes apart.”

How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “Quantum has put more life back into me.  I feel inspired and freer. I rely less on others, and I appreciate the independence.”

Were there any training highlights? “The training experience was remarkable and earned my 10-star review!  Every member of the Guiding Eyes team was friendly and worked hard to make me feel at home.  In the beginning, the training was challenging.  I had to learn to rely on Quantum for the information I would typically get from my cane.  As Quantum and I bonded, I learned I could trust him. While at Guiding Eyes I met Quantum’s puppy raisers and trainers, and I saw just how much work and love went into making Quantum an exceptional guide dog.”

Meet Guide Dog Quantum

DOB:  3/18/2022
Litter ID: 2Q22
Color/Breed:  Black/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Male
Brood: Helga
Stud: Odin
Littermates: Quigley, Quaker, Quebec, Quill, Quentin, Carmen, Quidditch, Quattro, Queso
Region:  Erie NY, Fingerlakes
Regional Puppy Instructor: Cassie Houghton
Puppy Raiser:  Daniel Uhl, Leonardo Iandolo
Facebook: Erie Puppy Raisers
Facebook: Fingerlakes Puppy Raisers

From the Puppy Raiser…

Quantum was a people puppy and would usually hangout near the other raisers rather then play with the other pups on program. As long as he had a bone he was happy.  ~ Leo Iandolo 

Photos of the Team…