Meet Katherine and Dugie
Katherine Moore lost her vision from glaucoma, a side effect from a genetic condition called Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome. She first came to Southeastern Guide Dogs in 1989, only a few years after the school was founded, and has enjoyed years of independent travel beside her faithful guides.
Katherine and Dugie stand together on a brick path, in front of a gate and lake.
About two years ago, Katherine’s husband suffered a debilitating stroke. “My husband had a stroke—there were no signs; he seemed in perfect health; he was still working; when out of nowhere, he had a stroke.” Four weeks later, her third guide, Alex, suddenly passed away. Katherine was devastated. As she adjusted to becoming a caregiver, she delayed getting a new dog—until now. And just in time, a wonderful black Labrador named Dugie has brightened her world.
“I went for two years without a guide dog. It was a very hard time. I was real close to Alex, and I couldn’t put my hand on another harness yet. But Dugie’s wonderful. He’s very easygoing and he wants to please me. He wants to be with me all of the time, which I love.”
Dugie will help Katherine navigate as she works as a service coordinator for the Disability Resource Center in Knoxville, where she juggles projects, teaches, plans events, and manages community relations. Her new guide will soon discover a big, loving family, as Katherine and her husband, daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren have recently combined households. Katherine can’t wait to see how her grandchildren will react to Dugie!
Katherine and Dugie work with a trainer throughout neighborhoods. Katherine is commanding Dugie to walk up steps as a trainer follows behind.
