There are currently three ways a dog can "graduate" from guide dog school.
Working Guidess - After 6 months or more of formal training, the dog is matched with a visually impaired partner. Up to 4 more weeks of training is done together on campus before the new team is presented at a graduation ceremony. Often times the puppy raiser has the opportunity to attend graduation and meet the new partner.
Breeder Dogs - After returning for formal training, those dogs still under breeder consideration are carefully observed by the trainers and the breeding department. Only the most exceptional dogs are chosen to join the breeding colony. These dogs are also presented at a graduation ceremony and will live with a foster family in between litters of puppies.
K-9 Buddies - This is a new program that matches a suitable dog with a blind child to provide companionship, increased social opportunities, love, and experience caring for a dog. If the child later chooses to be matched with a guide dog, he or she will already have experience with dogs.
Dogs not selected for one of these three jobs are said to be career changed. Career changed dogs go on to work as therapy, search and rescue, diabetic detection, hearing, or of course they can be pet dogs! Check out Boulder's wonderful career change dogs!
Dougie
Dougie is a male, yellow labrador born on February 10, 2015 to dog dad Joplin and dog mom Norma.
Lana
Lana is a female black labrador born on March 23, 2015 to dog mom Quince and dog dad Laughlin. Lana is being raised by Leah, Abby & Kirsten.
Halbert
Halbert transferred intot he club. He is a male, golden retriever born on March 28, 2015 to dog dad Cuervo and dog mom Nelda. Halbert is being raised by Cathy & Carolanne.
Januty
Jaunty was a female, yellow labrador born on February 14, 1999 to dog dad Guthrie and dog mom Constance. She was raised by Robert and Tashai.
Maime
Maime was raised by Jane and family. After she retired, she went back to live with her puppy raisers again. Maime graduated as a working guide.
Tamika
Tamika is a black, female labrador who is being co-raised by Leah, Abby, Kirsten, and Emily. Tamika was born on April 8, 2012 to dog dad Marino and dog mom Abigail.
Tanalei
Tanalei (pronounced Tuh nawl ee) is a female yellow labrador. She was born on April 8, 2014 to dog dad McKinley and dog mom Pia. Tanalei is being raised by Susan and Grace. Tanalei graduated as a working guide on December 13, 2014.
Vaquero
Vaquero, a male, black labrador, was transferred into the club in late April, 2014 and is being raised by Anne. Vaquero was born on April 9, 2013 to dog dad Calgary and dog mom Neva.
Vaquero graduated as a guide in November 2014.
Pickels
Pickels is a male, yellow labrador born on August 7, 2015 to dog dad Solo and dog mom Peeka. Pickels was started by Joanne, Annabelle, Dan, and Griffin, but is being finished by Jo-Ann B. (Pickels and Shore share a birthday, but they are not related.)
Pickels graduated on March 11, 2017.
Ritter
Ritter is a male, chocolate labrador born on August 10, 2017 to dog dad Nevin and dog mom Uzette. Ritter is being raised by Laura Anna R-T and family.
Rosalind
Rosalind is a female, black labrador being raised by JuileMarie and Michael. She was born on April 26, 2017 to dog dad Upton and dog mom Zinnia.
Decatur
Decatur is a female, black labrador born on March 13, 2018 to dog dad Celtic and dog mom Colette. Decatur is being raised by Tia.
Declan
Samwise
Samwise is a male, yellow labrador. He was born on March 15, 2017 to dog dad Phoenix and dog mom Treasure. Samwise is being raised by Jackie, Allen & Jeanne.
Fanta
Fanta is a female, black labrador born on July 30, 2017 to dog dad Charming and dog mom Irene. Fanta is being raised by Levin S. and Melissa M.
Saigon
Saigon is a female, yellow labrador being raised by Cherie and Reed and Carrie W. Saigon was born on April 27, 2017 to dog dad Curt and dog mom Lagoon. Saigon graduated on Saturday, February 9, 2019.
Riza
Riza is a female, yellow labrador born on April 26, 2017 to dog dad Upton and dog mom Zinnia. Riza is being raised by Marnie and Carson.
Riza graduated on Jan 26.
Sampson
Sampson is a male, black labrador born on December 30, 2016 to dog dad lucio and dog mom Vida. Sampson is being raised by Claire W. Sampson graduated on December 8, 2018.