Graduate Team: Nathalie and Olmstead
About the Team: Olmstead, a male yellow Lab, is Nathalie’s 1st guide dog
Location: Bridgeport, Connecticut
Training: August 2024 On-Campus
Nathalie attends Five Towns College, located on Long Island, New York and her field of study is Theatre Arts with a concentration in Acting. Nathalie is deaf-blind. She has been blind since birth and at age three, began wearing hearing aids. Her dual impairment has been progressing over the years but never stops her from accomplishing her goals in life, even if others think it is not possible. After graduating high school, she started using a white cane, and her embarrassment gave way to the realization that it was the start of a new journey. She was able to travel independently and learn more about herself. Traveling with a cane felt amazing, but there were times when it felt lonely, not having someone to share her adventures with. Nathalie has now found her next level of independence with her first guide dog, Olmstead.
How would you describe your guide dog? “He is the most caring, loving, and incredibly intelligent dog I ever met. I love that he is always ready for new adventures, even if we do a lot of traveling in one day. Olmstead is loved by so many people when we’re traveling together to various places in public. He knows how to make the day feel special when days are rushed.”
What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes? “I decided to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes for the Blind in 2022. I toured the campus with the Helen Keller National Center. I noticed that the school was aware of the deafblind community and understood the challenges we go through as a traveler.”
How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “It has opened doors to new adventures. I did not think I’d travel this much in two months! Olmstead and I have been visiting friends and family, attending classes at my school, hopping on ride transportation, walking through NYC, and even participating in a six-mile walk for a fundraiser. I have not been feeling lonely traveling, and my confidence in going to new places has risen to a higher level of self-esteem. I feel safer traveling with Olmstead. I even notice that my loved ones seem more comfortable about me traveling on my own without having so much pressure from them, wanting to give me a ride or guide me around. Olmstead is the best gift I could ever have! So, for anyone out there reading this, just keep in mind that having a guide dog can be beyond the moon, but it can only be beautiful if we take care of each other to make it farther in life. Deaf-Blind can be superstars as guide dog handlers!”
Were there any training highlights? “The best part during training was when we went as a group to a plaza to practice walking with the dogs in harness. Olmstead and I walked down the sidewalk, and for the first time in a long time, I did not have to worry about getting hit by doors or bumping into obstacles with the cane. I felt so free, and it was in that most precious moment that I knew I had made the right decision in getting a guide dog.”
DOB: 10/30/2022
Litter ID: 50322
Color/Breed: Yellow/Labrador Retriever
Gender: Male
Brood: Terri
Stud: Baron
Littermates: Orvis, Orlando, Olivia, Oregon, Oz, Oahu
Region: Fingerlakes
Regional Puppy Instructor: Cassie Houghton
Puppy Raiser: Dana Matusewicz
Facebook: Fingerlakes Puppy Raisers
Despite his historically tiny puppy bladder, Olmstead was one of the easier puppies I have raised. This little man was always rearing to join me in all aspects of life, from graduating from college, to traveling through busy NYC subways, and to watching polo matches. He was always eager to learn and earn his treats. And when the day was done, he was still there for you, ready to crawl into your lap for a snooze or snuggle you in times of hardship. Though having these dogs leave you is one of the hardest things a raiser can do, I can’t wait for you to fall in love with him and create cherished memories of your very own. ~Dana Matusewicz
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Guiding Eyes for the Blind Federal Identification Number (EIN) is 13-1854606.
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