Meet Marty and guide dog Mullins
Marty wears a baseball hat and sunglasses while sitting on a brick bench with his yellow Labrador, Mullins, laying at his feet.
Marty Wilensky began his career in the 1960s as a radio operator on a Navy minesweeper ship. The young seamen toured the Pacific including Japan, Hong Kong, Okinawa, and Guam. He then spent 20 years as a New York City police officer before finishing out his career with the postal service.
About ten years ago, Marty started losing his vision to macular degeneration. As it progressed, his son—a physician in San Diego—started researching guide dog schools and learned that Southeastern Guide Dogs wasn’t far from Marty’s home in The Villages, Florida. Now Marty is thrilled with his new guide, a yellow Labrador named Mullins. “He’s the best that there is!” says Marty.
Back home, Marty enjoys his newfound independence. “Everything is within walking distance for me,” he says. “Now I don’t have to worry about someone being with me. Now I have somebody to take care of. And he has somebody to take care of. We’re going to help each other, and that’s it!”
Marty works with Mullins around a neighborhood.
