Latif and Wyatt

Meet Graduate Latif

Graduate Team:  Latif and Wyatt
About the Team:  Wyatt – male yellow Lab; Latif’s 4th Guiding Eyes dog & 7th overall
Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Training:  September 2024 Home Training

Latif was born in Egypt and left in 1981 to pursue higher education in the United States. Latif, along with his wife, embarked on a new chapter in their lives. Since that time, his academic achievements have been significant, earning two master’s degrees and, ultimately, his PhD.  With a background in Educational Leadership and Counseling, Latif’s expertise and experience have led to working as a professor at Western Michigan University and as a mental health counselor for the State of Michigan. Previously, as an undergraduate student, he had studied in England and traveled extensively in Europe. Latif still enjoys travel and returns to spend time in Egypt every few years. Latif got his first guide dog in 1996.

How would you describe your guide dog?  “Wyatt  has a very loving and tender personality.  He is also very intelligent and has a wonderful work ethic.  It is clear he knows his job and enjoys it.  When he is not working, he loves to play fetch with his ball.   He gets along great with our grandchildren, and they love playing together.”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes?  “I consider myself a well-educated and savvy consumer.  Based on my research and experience, Guiding Eyes offers quality, well-trained dogs. I recommend Guiding Eyes to anyone looking for an excellent guide dog from an excellent school.”

How has having a guide dog impacted your life?  “A guide dog enhances my life in many ways.  Wyatt provides security that cannot come from a cane.  With the vision I have, I can see him looking up at me and trying to grasp what I am saying. He cares about me, and we both depend on the cues we give each other.”

Were there any training highlights? “David is the Guiding Eyes remote instructor that Wyatt and I have been training with in Michigan. David is wonderful, and we have worked together over the years with my previous guide dogs. Although I have enjoyed training at the Guiding Eyes campus in the past, the Home Training offers some efficiency.  Wyatt and I got straight to work on my routes!”

Meet Guide Dog Wyatt

DOB:  8/20/2022
Litter ID: 5WW22
Color/Breed: Yellow/Labrador
Gender: Male
Brood: Liza
Stud: Everett
Littermates: Winslow, Whispy, Walter, Wind, Walden, William, Wendell, Wilbur, Waylee
Region:  Capital NY
Regional Puppy Instructor: Kate Gardner
Puppy Raiser:  Carly Rogers
Facebook: Capital Puppy Raisers

From the Puppy Raiser…

Raising Wyatt has been the most rewarding challenge I’ve taken on, and I couldn’t be more proud of him. He spent his time by my side through college, attending every class & impressed me everyday. Wyatt has the most incredible impulse control and I couldn’t believe how fast he learns & picks up on things. My favorite part about raising Wyatt was that he grew up on a college campus & became friends with everyone we met. One of his best attributes is his passion for the work he does, as he takes pride in everything he does correct. I know he will change so many lives in the future as he changed mine. ~ Carly Rogers

Photos of the Team…