Meet Class #260
Pictured from left to right: Trainer Karen Mersereau, Kathryn Morris and guide Lu Lu, Charlie Sullivan and guide Gemma, Trainer Lynn Benus, Myra Kulke and guide Chloe, David Johnson and guide Loge, David Alesia and guide Kathie, Trainer Jennifer Johnson
Congratulations to Class #260 who just graduated with their new guide dogs. These individuals worked hard to become teams, and now they’re heading home with new confidence and hope. Meet the class:
- Facing vision and hearing loss from Usher Syndrome, Kathryn Morris and guide Lu Lu look forward to camping, boating, walking, and crossing busy streets whenever they want to. “I’m fiercely independent,” says Cathy, and Lu Lu will help her keep it that way.
- An upbeat grandfather with an active lifestyle, Charlie Sullivan lost his vision to non arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy. His second guide, Gemma, will keep him walking the 1,000 miles per year he covers from the Smokey Mountains to the north Florida beaches.
- An extremely social and outgoing retiree, Myra Kulke’s vision loss from macular degeneration and glaucoma held her back. She longed for greater freedom, and now her new guide Chloe gets the job done. “My world’s done a 180-degree turn,” Myra says. “She’s amazing!”
- For David Johnson, a former Navy veteran and retired Lockheed Martin rocket engineer, a guide dog named Loge is about to help him “take off” to new freedom after non arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy damaged his vision. His first dog—ever—will change his life!
- Despite facing vision difficulties since birth from glaucoma and retinitis pigmentosa, David Alesia earned a black belt in martial arts. His first guide gave him new independence, and now his second guide, Kathie, restores his freedom once again.
