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!
Magic
Magic is a male black labrador born to dog dad Jenkins and dog mom Paris on July 16, 2014. She is being raised by Susan S. Magic graduated as a breeder.
Revlon
Revlon is a female yellow labrador. She was born on April 5, 2013 to dog mom Belize and dog dad Jolt. Revlon is being raised by James.
Revlon graduated as a breeder dog and is now retired.
Ocean
Ocean is a female yellow lab. She was born to dog mom Ojai and dog dad Anthem on May 29, 2014. She'll be raised by James & Cathy.
Ocean graduated as a breeder in October 2015.
Denmark
Denmark is a female golden retriever born on August 5, 2013 to dog dag Magellan and dog mom Fresca. She transferred into the club when she was about a year old. She was raised by Claire.
Denmark graduated as a breeder dog.
Spring
Spring transferred into our club on October 18, 2014. She'll be in the club for a few months before she is recalled. Spring was born on July 30, 2013 to dog mom Mamie and dog dad Jolt. She was raised by Anne. Spring graduated as a breeder dog.
Lilo
Lilo was raised by Jill, Don, and Kirsten. She graduated as a breeder dog.
Several of Lilo's pups were raised in the club, including Desilu (graduated as a guide), LouAnne (graduated as a guide), and Noelani (graduated as a guide).
Lapis
Lapis is a female, black labrador retriever. She graduated as a breeder in 2009 as a breeder. She was born on May 4, 2008 to dog mom Bettymae and dog dad Denzel. She was raised by Sharon.
Athena
Athena is a female, mostly golden retriever being raised by CarolAnne and Cathy. Athena joined the group on January 13, 2012. Athena was born on 10-22-2011 to dog mom Pilar and dog dad Medford. Athena's brother, Andrew, has a blog complete with cute pictures.
Athena graduated and became a breeder. Her puppies Valiant and Versailles are being raised in the club too.
Vikram
Vikram is a male, black labrador. He was born on March 5, 2013 to dog dad Jolt and dog mom Hestia. Vikram will be group raised by Emily, Matt,and Sheryl. Vikram graduated as a breeder. Vikram's littermate, Volt, was also raised in the club.
Vikram is a sweet, mild-mannered fellow.
Midge
Midge was born on September 2, 2012 to dog dad Franklin and dog mom Amaya. Midge is a female golden retriever.
Midge graduated to become a breeder.
