Lucas and Watson

Meet Graduate Lucas

Graduate Team: Lucas and Watson
About the Team: Watson, a male black lab, is Lucas’ 1st guide dog
Location: West Allis, Wisconsin
Training: August 2024 On-Campus

Lucas earned a bachelor’s degree in media and entertainment from Kennesaw State University in Georgia and currently works as a customer service representative at Industries for the Blind. Lucas relocated to Wisconsin two years ago, forming new friendships and building a community while keeping in touch with friends and family in Georgia. Many of these new friendships are with other guide dog users, and they enjoy spending time together. Lucas values staying fit and goes to the gym four times a week. He was partnered with Running Guide Watson, and they are exploring local trails together and taking daily walks covering several miles. Lucas is a member of the Suburban Singers Community Choir in West Allis and Watson walks him to his weekly rehearsals. He enjoys listening to music and audiobooks, and he feels more comfortable exploring now that he has Watson.

How would you describe your guide dog? “If someone walks by with a dog, then he’s interested but he does a good job of not being too distracted. He works hard and enjoys playing hard. If we play fetch he’ll go after something but drop it halfway when coming back to me, so I’m working on teaching him how to play. He likes to play tug of war and when we run around, with me chasing after him and vice versa. Those are the things that entertain him.”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “I was feeling like the cane limited me. Unfamiliar or new crossings with a cane are like walking into the unknown, whereas a guide dog knows the word ‘Curb’. After arriving in Wisconsin, I met people who had guide dogs, and I started to see the benefits. I saw how well they navigated streets – streets that were challenging to me with a cane. People using guide dogs got around well and I thought I wanted to be able to do that. Wintertime came around and I couldn’t feel the ground beneath the snow with my cane and differentiate between sidewalk and street. After two years of thinking about it, that was the final straw, and I decided to apply. I looked at top guide dog schools and GEB was one. The website was easy to read, and info was perfectly presented. The big edge was the Running Guide Program, and ultimately why I chose Guiding Eyes.”

How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “What hasn’t been impactful? I’ve used a cane for so many years and not using it every day is a totally different thing and has had a huge impact. I feel a lot safer when crossing streets. Having a guide keeps me on a schedule and having a routine, too.”

Were there any training highlights? “There’s a deep level of connection with the dog, and it’s been interesting to watch that grow between Watson and me as we work together. At first, he paid more attention to the trainers since they had developed that bond. He would listen to them, based on that connection, but now he listens to me. At first, when I was walking with Watson, I tended to walk across the street, then think he didn’t get us to the ramp and only to the curb. I realized one day that he wasn’t getting there because I was afraid that he’d go into traffic, so I wasn’t giving him enough room to get to that ramp. I realized that since he’s the one guiding I had to let him guide and give him the space to do so. When I did that, he reached the ramp perfectly. This growth is something that happens over time and continues to improve as we work together. We’re a good team now but I imagine we’ll be even better years from now. It amazes me how the team building is constantly happening.”

Meet Guide Dog Watson

DOB:  4/11/2022
Litter ID: 3W22
Color/Breed:  Black/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Male
Brood: Debbie
Stud: Dasher
Littermates: Waffle, Watkins, Walter, Wade, Wes, Winette
Region:  Adirondack
Regional Puppy Instructor: Kate Gardner
Puppy Raiser:  The Jacox Family
Facebook: Adirondack Puppy Raisers

From the Puppy Raiser…

Watson is a very gentle and caring soul! He was very attentive to everyone in our family and loves to always have someone near him. He had a silly side to him as well and loves to have fun!  ~ Anissa Jacox and Jacox Family 

Photos of the Team…