Kalia and Roswell

Meet Graduate Kalia

Graduate Team:  Kalia and Roswell
About the Team:  Roswell, a female black Lab, is Kalia’s 1^st guide dog
Hometown:  Las Cruces, New Mexico
Training: January 2023 Home Training

Kalia comes to Guiding Eyes for her first guide dog, Roswell. She was born and raised in Florida, but recently Kalia, her husband and their two young children made the move west to New Mexico. Being mom to her son and a daughter keeps Kalia busy, but she is looking forward to beginning a new professional opportunity, having recently applied to a Business Enterprise Program.  She enjoys long walks and loves the mountains in her new home of New Mexico.

How would you describe your guide dog? “Roswell is a wonderful dog.  She is very sweet, outgoing and loves to work.  She gets very excited when she sees her harness and is ready to go! Roswell has impressed me with her memory.  She learns so quickly and even if we have been somewhere only once before, she remembers.  She also is very good at finding our car in a parking lot.”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes?  “When I was a teenager, my best friend got a guide dog.  Since that time, I knew I wanted a guide dog in the future.  I initially applied to several guide dog schools, and Guiding Eyes impressed me with their responsiveness and attentiveness during the admissions process. From the initial home visit to my training with Roswell, Guiding Eyes has been professional and provided all the necessary support and follow up. I hope to work with Roswell for a long time, but when it is time for a new guide dog, I will definitely return to Guiding Eyes!”

How has having a guide dog impacted your life?  “Since getting Roswell, I am so much more confident and comfortable being independent. Roswell makes it much easier to go unfamiliar places.  We walk so quickly! I know she will get me from point A to point B.  I am so happy and enjoying my freedom.  I feel like nothing can stop me!”

Were there any training highlights? “Training was amazing.  Roswell and I walked many miles each day.  In the beginning I was very nervous and hesitant.  Each day I became more comfortable and confident and realized I could trust Roswell.  A highlight was crossing the street and doing so safely!”

Meet Guide Dog Roswell

DOB:  3/7/2020
Litter ID: 8R20
Color/Breed:  Black/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Female
Brood: Tiara
Stud: Kisco
Littermates: Ruby, Richie, Ralphie, Reese, Rhyme, Rosemary, Roxy, Rooney
Region:  Erie, NY
Regional Puppy Instructor: Cassie Houghton
Puppy Raiser:  Barb McCabe, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Marth
Facebook: Erie Puppy Raisers

Special Recognition: Roswell was special named by the Erie Puppy Raising Region in honor of the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Care Center in Buffalo, NY.

From the Puppy Raiser…

Roswell was named by our region and was to be started by me and finished by Laura Marth. Due to the pandemic it was different than expected. We found different things around home to let her try out and get some different exposures. Once she was vaccinated we checked out sidewalks in different areas and watched people and dogs walking by from the front yard. We also enjoyed some walks around campus where I work. She was sweet, curious, and learned quickly. It was wonderful having her share this time with us.  ~ Barb McCabe, Puppy Raiser

Roswell arrived just as the pandemic was starting. It was a challenging time to be able to do outings and meet people. We had to be very creative by doing a lot of outdoor outings and to keep our distance from people as we didn’t understand the disease and how it was transmitted at first. Somehow Roswell understood the situation and was always so patient and calm in all situations. Roswell was a special named pup. She was named after Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Care Center in Buffalo NY. Roswell always enjoyed her walks and was always the best company. Our hope is that Roswell brings as much joy to her new partner as she brought to us. We wish them much luck!  ~ Laura Marth, Puppy Raiser

Photos of the Team…