In May 2019, I lost my sight suddenly while sitting in the passenger seat of my now fiancé‘s car when something came through the windshield. Losing my sight two weeks after graduating college, I felt like my entire life regressed, and I could not envision what my future looked like anymore. Working toward receiving a guide dog, who would accommodate my visual impairment, gave me something to hope for.

I trained at Guiding Eyes for the Blind and received my first guide dog, Kegan, in May 2021. In the three years I’ve had with Kegan, we have moved to three different homes and he has been by my side to learn the new environments and bring me joy. We have made many new friends, all who know him by his nickname Samson, and have made even more memories together!! Some of our favorite activities are going on walks with my fiancé on new trails and paths, going to different exercise classes, and traveling to visit family and friends.

Receiving Kegan as a guide dog has changed my life as someone with a visual impairment, and made me appreciative on a daily basis for his guidance, loyalty, and best of all friendship! We are beyond excited to participate in the WAGATHON and give back to an organization that changed my life, and is bound to change many more! I am extremely grateful for the gift of Independence and confidence that Guiding Eyes for the Blind has given me, and even more grateful for the people who donate to make it all possible!!