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!
Deidra
Deidra was co-raised by Leah, Abby, Kirsten, and Emily. Deidra graduated as a working guide in March 2013.
She's a black female labrador and she joined the group on Friday, June 10, 2011. She was born on April 12th, 2011 to mom Vintage and Dad Jenkins. She will spend her first few months with Emily and then will move on to the co-raising crew of Leah, Abby, Kirsten and their families.
Cordova
Cordova is a female, yellow labrador. Cypress came off the puppy truck on November 11, 2011. She was born on 8/22/2011. Her dog parents are daddy Stockholm & mommy Starling.
Cordova graduated and is a working Guide Dog.
Guide Dogs for the Blind posted a video of Starling's litter of C puppies.
Cordova is being raised by Claudia. Cordova is littermates with Cypress, who was also raised in the club.
Conrad
Conrad is a male black labrador. He was born on August 28, 2009 to dog mom Beverly and dog dad Kentucky.
Conchita
Conchita graduated as a working guide in October 2007. She was born on February 5, 2006 to dog mom Clove and dog dad Wellington.
Clyde
Clyde was transferred into our group.
He is a male, black labrador born on May 23, 2010 to Jay and Noleta. He was raised by Claire. Clyde graduated on November 5, 2011 in Oregon.
Antoinette
Antoinette graduated as a wheelchair guide in 2006. Antoinette was raised by Bonnie and her family and is now working in Utah.
Adeline
Adeline is a female, black labrador who graduated in 2009 as a working guide.
She was born to dog mom Joyann and dog dad Dylan. She was born on August 28, 2007 and was co-raised by Bonnie, Richard, Kyra, and families.
Bailey
Bailey is a female yellow labrador born to dog mom Sunrise and dog dad Jenkins on July 26, 2009.
Brenna
Brenna was born on November 24, 2006 to dog mom Audrey and dog dad Neo.
She is a female black labrador and is a working guide. She was raised by Gene and Jane.
Flyer
Baby Flyer flew into the club on March 20, 2013. He is being raised raised by Susan, Kelly, and Jen. Flyer is a male, black labrador born on January 22, 2013 to dog dad Parson and dog mom Norma.
Flyer graduated as a working guide dog.
Louanne
LouAnne is a female, yellow labrador who graduated as a working guide in 2009.
She was born on February 9, 2008 to dog mom Lilo and dog dad Tiburon. She was co-raised by Jill, Angela, Carol, and families.
Douglas
Douglas is a male, black labrador who graduated as a working guide in 2009.
Douglas' dog mom is Debra and his dog dad is Eric. Douglas was born on May 9, 2008. He was co-raised by Emily, Pat, and Ed.
Dallas
Dallas is a female, yellow labrador. She was born on May 9, 2008 to dog mom Debra and dog dad Eric.
Ellis
Ellis was born on June 20, 2006 to dog mom Bayla and dog dad Kinsey. He was raised by Emily.
Ellis graduated as a working guide in March 2008, but he has since retired and moved back in with Emily. Ellis enjoys being a pet now, and loves his "sister" Angel (now called Gelly).
Dori
Dori graduated as a working guide in May 2008. She was born on July 3, 2006 to dog mom Doralee and dog dad Baker.
She was raised by Tara and family.
Bryant
Bryant graduated as a working guide in October 2007.
Bryant was raised by Frances, Lucia, and family.
Prada
Prada graduated as a working guide in May 2006. She was raised by Jill, Kirsten, and their families.
Lenny
Lenny graduated as a working guide. Lenny was raised by Erin and Matt. Lenny is now retired and is back with his raisers.
