Randy and Idaho

Meet Graduate Randy

Graduate Team: Randy and Idaho
About the Team: Idaho is a male black Lab and Randy’s 4^th Guiding Eyes dog
Location: DeSoto, Texas
Training: August 2024 On-Campus

Randy is an assistive technology trainer for individuals who are blind or living with visual loss. He is self-employed and currently working through the Texas Workforce Commission, providing training for those in need. He has been ordained as a minister since 1999 and currently serves as the Executive Pastor at Southgate Fellowship. Randy was born in Guymon, Oklahoma, and raised in Lubbock, Texas, but now resides in the Lone Star State’s Dallas/Fort Worth area with his wife of forty-five years, Alisa. They have two adult children, a daughter and a son. Legally blind since birth due to retinitis pigmentosa, Randy’s vision is limited to shadows with limited peripheral vision. In his free time, he enjoys hiking 3 miles a day, as well as kayaking and reading. Idaho is Randy’s fourth guide dog from Guiding Eyes. His previous guide dog, Casper, is retired and living with his puppy raiser in Maryland.

How would you describe your guide dog?  “Idaho is very affectionate, sweet, relaxed, and calm in nature. He likes to come over and give me hugs. He loves other people as well as other dogs. He really enjoys working, and of course, likes his treats.”

What made you decide to apply for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes?  “I applied for my first guide dog in 2007. I found the information on Guiding Eyes’ website compared favorably to what I found at other guide dog school websites. Since then, regional instructor Mike Goering has followed me from the very beginning, checking on me every eighteen months or so.”   

How has having a guide dog impacted your life? “Navigating is smoother with a guide dog. Also, I missed a dog’s companionship when I didn’t have a guide dog. When I navigated using a cane, people tended to overlook me. With a guide dog, people notice me in a good way. Both children and adults are very polite and friendlier because of the dog by my side. ”

Were there any training highlights?  “One of the highlights of my training was hiking wooded trails. My trainer, Michelle, made sure that Idaho was well matched to my interests and would enjoy hiking activities. Also, I had the opportunity to talk with Idaho’s puppy raiser, who lives in Maryland. She told me that if I got on the floor Idaho would give me a big bear hug. Idaho proved her right early on during training.”

Meet Guide Dog Idaho

DOB:  11/5/2021
Litter ID: 5I321
Color/Breed:  Black/Labrador
Gender: Male
Brood: Zula
Stud: Darren
Littermates: Ira, Ingalls, Ina, Ives, Izzie, Imus, Icabod
Region:  Catoctin
Regional Puppy Instructor: Jeanyne Gembarski
Puppy Raiser: Jeanyne Gembarski
Facebook: Catoctin Puppy Raisers

From the Puppy Raiser…

Idaho was always ready to go wherever I took him. He would lay quietly on the front wheel well floor as I drove to our destination but as soon as I put my car in park, he was sitting up peaking out the window to see where we were. He went with me on my errands and loved the oooh’s and ahhh’s from other people expressing how big and handsome and well behaved he was. No matter what we did during the day, Idaho would always be as happy as me to be home to relax for the night. He would happily lay on his bed next to my feet after I gave him a nice chest massage which he always leaned into. I wish all the best to Hugo as you start your journey of newfound independence with Idaho by your side. ~ Jeanyne Gembarski

Photos of the Team…