Meet Nate and Croley
Nate sits next to Croley, a black lab, on purple steps in front of a green and red painted house.
The U.S. Army runs thick in Nate Gorham’s blood, and his sister, parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents all served. Nate did too, pursuing a career with the Army’s military police, until he lost his vision.
“I was in the Army for seven years as a military police officer. In 2013, I lost my vision from cone rod dystrophy. I got out of the Army and I didn’t do anything for a few years.”
After the Army, Nate found himself becoming less and less active, and now he’s working hard on getting back into shape.
“I’m training for a marathon—the California International Marathon in Sacramento—even if I crawl to the finish line. If I’m outdoors, I run with a buddy. Once or twice a week I’ll run with someone. I’m still able to follow using my peripheral vision. Other than that I’m on a treadmill.”
It was at the Southeastern Guide Dogs Walkathon in Fort Myers when Nate first spoke with one of our graduates about the difference a guide dog makes, and after that encounter he immediately applied for his own guide.
“I wanted to gain more independence; that’s the biggest thing,” he says. “The companionship is going to be one of the best things, too. I’ve got a buddy now. On an emotional level, I already feel a bond that I haven’t had for a while.”
Nate and Croley work with a trainer through neighborhoods. Nate and Croley walk beside a white picket fence, while a trainer follows behind them.
