What I wish I knew before getting a Guide Dog

Before applying for Eve I remember asking my friends who had guide dogs many questions, but the one question I regret not asking them was “What do you wish you knew before getting a guide dog?” If someone asked me the following question here are the things I would tell them: 

When doing your home interview walk as close to your normal walking speed with both your cane and Juno: It is important to walk as close to your normal walking speed as possible both with your cane and Juno, as this is an important factor that the training team will consider when looking at matching a dog to you. 

Before going into class you might have cold feet, just know that’s normal: I remember before going into class having this feeling of Is this really happening? and Am I doing this for the right reasons? I remember sharing these feelings with @shelbi_nichole, @livingblindly, and @seyoon.c_, as I shared these feelings they reminded me that these feelings were completely normal. The one word of advice I can give you is take time for yourself before going into class, whatever that looks like for you. For me that meant having a spa day with a few of my closest friends before going into class. By doing this it really helped me get my mind off of what was to come, while giving me the selfcare I needed.   

Lindsay getting her hair done before attending guide dog school.

You may gain weight while in class from all of the good food, but do not worry you will most likely lose it once you get home from all of the walking: I remember while being in class I might have gained ten pounds, but after the first few months of being home I remember losing that weight from all of the walking I was doing. All I can say is attribute the weight gain to all of the good food you will eat while in class. 

They may test you: In the first few months coming home your guide dog may test you to figure out what they could get away with. For me, Eve would test me by stopping randomly, but with positive encouragement and obedience I am always able to get her going again. 

It is quite an upper body workout: You may find early in your training that your upper body may hurt in places that you may not have before. For me this ment my neck, left arm, left elbow and shoulder. Going into class I expected my left arm to hurt at my shoulder and elbow, as I don’t have full use of my left arm and hand, so moving my arm in ways I never had was going to take some adjusting. What I did not expect was neck pain. You see, as someone with remaining vision, before getting Eve I did not realize how much time I spent looking down not to trip on cracks or other hazards. When getting Eve, she has given me the ability to hold my head higher and look forward, as a result, my neck would hurt from being in the wrong position for so long. 

They may not choose the path you would with your White cane: In some cases guide dogs may not choose the path you would with your white cane to get to a destination. For example, on a number of occasions while I was working at CSULB Eve would choose not to go down the stairs, as there were large crowds of people coming up and down these staircases, instead she would choose less traveled paths like a down hill grass path because in her mind we could get to a given destination faster this way.

Although you have a guide dog it’s important to keep up your cane skills, as you never know when you will need them. I remember the first time picking up my cane after coming home with Eve to run a short errand and remember thinking “how do I cross this parking lot?” I share this story to say even though you have a guide dog it’s important to keep up your cane skills because you never know when you will need them. There may come a time that you go somewhere that your guide dog may not be able to come with you, requiring you to use your cane. 

The ignorance of the public: On occasions I will get questions from the public that either do not make sense or show the person’s lack of knowledge. Some of the ignorant questions that I have often gotten are: 

Q: “What do we do if your dog has an accident in the office?” 

A: “I would clean it up.” For the record, this has not happened, as I take her out on a regular basis. 

Q: “Can you call your training team because you are struggling with stairs.” 

A: “ I am struggling with stairs because there are 40,000 people around us and she is seeing all of them as an obstacle, especially if they are glued to their phones and not paying attention to where they are walking.”  

Q: “We are struggling to get therapy dogs to help students, can she step in and assist our students?”

A: “Absolutely not, a therapy dog is there to provide comfort and does not require $50,000 to perform their task like a guide dog does. If I allowed this it could jeopardize the independence, I have built for myself.” 

You may have points where you question if this lifestyle is for you: There might be points early in your partnership where you might think that you can get somewhere quicker with your cane or you might be dealing with a strange behavior. Just be patient with yourself and know with time it will and does get better. 

Lindsay standing in front of a colorful question mark made with light up sticks.

The image of the question mark was taken at the Houston Color Factory just before the National Federation of the Blind’s 2023 Convention was to take place. This question mark symbolizes everything I was feeling in the moment, as there was a lot of uncertainty I was feeling to embark on the next chapter in my life once this convention ended. 

What I Wish the Public Knew about Guide Dogs

Being that I have been a guide dog handler for a little over a year, here are eleven things that I wish the public knew or would keep in mind as it relates to guide dogs and their handlers. 

They are not robots: Guide dogs do not know exactly what their human is thinking nor the exact location that their human needs to go. The human needs to give direction to a given location. This is why the person with a guide dog must have good orientation skills to give proper direction. This is also why in some cases the handler may need to teach the dog where a desired object or location is.   

Training never stops: As the environments that the guide dog handler goes into are usually not the same, training has to continue for the entirety of the dog's working life to help them work successfully.

They cannot read the traffic lights: Unlike most believe dog guides cannot read the traffic lights as dogs themselves are color blind. It’s the job of the handler to tell the dog to go forward when the handler thinks it's safe to do so. If the dog sees that it may not be safe to go forward, they will exercise intelligent disobedience and not go forward until they see that it is safe to do so. 

Please do not talk, touch, feed, or look at them: When coming across a guide dog team please do not talk, touch, or look at the dog, as the dog could take their attention off their handler in these moments potentially putting the team's life in danger depending on the environment, they are in. One example of a time in which an environment could put a team in danger is if someone was trying to talk to the dog guide as the team is actively crossing a street because the handler is trusting that the dog guide has all of their attention on getting them both across the street safely. 

Give their handler directions to a location: When working to assist a guide dog team to a given location it is best practice to give the handler direction to a given location, so that these directions can be relayed to the dog by its handler. 

There are many different types of harnesses used in guide work: Some of the types of harnesses used are specific to running similar to the Unifly Harness, off set, different shapes and sizes. The important thing to keep in mind is that the harness that each team uses has been adapted to the individual team's lifestyle and important aspects have been taken into consideration when making the decision as to what will work for the team as a whole. Some of the considerations that are often made have to do with the handler's height, walking speed, footfall, hand grip, and much more. 

Lindsay and Eve walking down the halls of congress. As Lindsay is walking, she is using an offset harness handle. 

Harnesses of many shapes and sizes. 

Unifly harness example.

The thing on some guide dog’s faces is a head collar not a muzzle: In some cases to get added control of their dog’s guide dog handlers may use a head collar, which goes around the dog's mouth and above the nose. This is used to help refocus the dogs in high scent distraction areas. I personally use one, as Eve is known to get distracted around scents and food. 

Eve wearing a head collar.

There are only two questions you can ask: In a public situation if one is unsure if the animal present is a service animal the only two questions that can be asked are: 

1. Is this animal a service animal required for a disability? 

2. What service does the animal provide?  

Guide dogs choose their jobs: Unlike most may think guide dogs choose their jobs. In most cases guide dogs are assessed for their ability to be guide dogs at various points of their journey as puppies. As the puppies grow and mature the assessments become more challenging. In the article The Journey of a Guiding Eyes Dog the different stages of training for each guide dog are explained. If they fail at any point or are seen not to be interested in guide work other jobs are considered such as bomb sniffing, medical alert, therapy, or just as pet dogs.  

Guide dogs have off days just like humans: Like humans Guide dogs have days in which they may not be feeling well, may not be in the headspace to work, the weather may not be permissible, they may be in a space where they struggle, etc. It's important that the handler realize the issue that may be at hand and do their best to correct it. As the public, what you can do is give them grace, as you do not know the exact challenges that this team may be facing. 

Not all handlers are totally blind:  Not all guide dog handlers are totally blind, some like me have some remaining vision, but struggle in dim or dark spaces, may have a limited field of vision, or reduced eye acuity. The important thing to keep in mind is that a person that typically has a guide dog is legally blind, meaning that they have a visual acuity of 20/200 or less, or a visual field of 20 degrees or less with correction. 20/200 can be described as whatever a person with 20/20 vision can see at 200 feet the person with 20/200 vision must be 20 feet from that same object to see it.

Traveling with a Guide Dog

As I have traveled quite a bit since coming home with Eve, I thought I would put together a list of the few things I have learned along the way. Unfortunately, I do not have the experience of traveling out of the United States as of this writing, so I do not have any tips there. 

Eve sitting on a hotel bellman's cart. 

Being in a good mental space for both dog and handler to take on such a large adventure: When traveling with a guide dog it's important to ensure that both dog and handler are in a good mental state as travel can be stressful for the team as a whole. As blind and low vision travelers we know that there are many obstacles that we may face in getting to a given location, some of these include not having the right documentation for us and our dogs, TSA trying to separate us from our dogs when going through security, being forced into wheelchairs by well meaning staff, and the list goes on. As a result this brings much stress and anxiety to many blind and low vision travelers when they are just trying to get to a given destination. 

Having the needed forms handy: When flying with a guide dog there are a number of documents you should have access to. What I normally carry is the Department of Transportation's DOT form, veterinary documentation including Eve’s latest vaccination records, and my school issued ID for Eve and I. I carry all of this documentation as the DOT form helps in giving Eve the ability to fly, having proper veterinary forms helps in the event of a medical emergency, and having my school ID helps in explaining the law in public spaces. 

Knowing where the relieving area is at the airport you are traveling to: Before flying out it is a good idea to find out where the pet relief area is so that once you deboard your plane you can take them where they need to go. I have found it is easiest to find this by searching the airport's name and then adding pet relief next to it. For example if I did this in the Oakland airport it would tell me that the Pet relief area is by gate 25 in Terminal Two. It is a good idea to do this as not all airport staff know where such areas are. 

Knowing your rights: In some cases being in a different state than your home state may require you to educate the local businesses about guide dogs and your rights as a guide dog handler. One thing you can do in helping to educate the public on guide dogs in other states is to leave them with cards like ADA Service Dog Law Cards 2024 - THE ORIGINAL - 50 ADA Service Dog Information Cards, that explains the law and gives them more information. 

Having a compact set of dog bowls: When traveling it's important to have compact dog bowls, as you want to conserve as much space as possible for other items. One of my favorite compact dog bowls are DogBuddy Travel Bowls, Large Collapsible Silicone Dog Bowl with Case, Foldable Expandable Dog Food Water Bowl, Portable Pet Feeding Accessories for Outdoors Travel Camping Hiking, Mist, as they fold and have their own case. I would also recommend packing these dog bowls in your carry-on in the event that your luggage gets lost. When going on road trips its important to keep such travel bowls at easy reach, as you never know when your dog may need food and water. 

Packing more dog food than necessary: When traveling, it’s important to carry at least one more day’s worth of dog food than you think you will need, so that if a flight gets canceled or another disaster happens you have enough food. On this same topic it’s a good idea to carry at least one if not two meals for your dog in your carry-on in the event that your luggage gets lost. When on road trips, its important to keep easy access to one meal in the event your dog needs food while your on the road. 

Bringing more poop bags than you think you will need: like with food, it’s a good idea to bring more poop bags than you think you’ll need just in case flights are canceled, dogs get sick, or other emergencies arise.

Looking at emergency vet’s where you are traveling to: When traveling it's important to know where an emergency vet is where you are traveling because emergencies could arise. I bring this up because during the National Federation of the Blind’s 2023 convention @shelbi_nichole found out that her guide dog @kristentheguidingeye had an ear infection. Had the National Association of Guide Dog Users not provided us with an emergency vet for such situations we would have been lost as to where to go to get @kristentheguidingeye the care she needed.  

Having access to The Seeing Eye Advocacy app: The Seeing Eye Advocacy app is really helpful as it has the laws around service animals broken down by state. Not only does the Seeing Eye app have the individual state laws, but it gives information on transportation and housing, which are important factors to consider when traveling. 

Lindsay, Eve, Shelbi, and Kristen in front of the #FLYLBX sign before they flew to Washington DC. 

I hope these tips help, and happy travels. 

Gift Guide for Service Dog Users

As the holidays are approaching I thought I would put together a gift guide for guide dog handlers and their friends. 

Eve sitting on a bench in front of a decorated Christmas tree. 

Gift cards to Chewy, Amazon, PetSmart, PetCo, Ruffwear etc: Getting gift cards to these wonderful places is bound to make your guide dog handler friend happy, as there are many goods and services that can be provided by these merchants. 

Subscription to BarkBox or Bullymake: A subscription to BarkBox or bullymake would be a great gift for any guide dog handler, as they carry toys of many different strengths. 

Dog Treats: As has been mentioned in previous posts for some in the guide dog handler community they choose to use treats to reinforce positive behavior. I personally use Charlee Bears to achieve this goal, but if you are looking to get treats for your guide dog handler friend it is good to ask them what they choose to use in this regard as each dog and handler’s needs and preferences are different.   

Poop bags: No matter the handler getting your guide dog handler friend this box of poop bags will be much appreciated. I have been using this brand of poop bags for years with my pet dog before getting Eve and have loved their quality. 

Sandwich bags: Now, you may be wondering why I am recommending getting your guide dog handler friend sandwich bags? If your guide dog handler friend is quite the traveler, having an extra set of sandwich bags will come in handy as they fit a portion of their dogs meals in them quite nicely, while also helping the handler not have to portion out their dogs meals once reaching their final destination. 

Musher’s Secret: If your friend or family member lives in a hot climate they might appreciate having a canister of Musher’s Secret as it is a great alternative to the dog's booties. Musher’s Secret is a jelly-like substance that is a barrier to the hot ground that goes directly on the dogs paw pads.  

Cooling Mat: Continuing on the topic of living in hot climates, if your friend or family member lives in a hot climate it might be a good idea to get them a cooling mat. I personally have used Coleman Comfort Cooling Gel Pet Pad , Dog and Cat Supplies ,Non-Toxic ,24x30 Inches for Eve. It is also easy to travel with as you can fold it up small to fit in a suitcase.  

Toys: When choosing toys as gifts for your guide dog handler friend it’s good to ask them which toys they prefer to use as each dog's needs are different. One toy brand that I trust is @nylabone as they are usually indestructible and have many different sizes. 

Hand Sanitizer: One thing as a guide dog handler that I find good to keep on hand is a bottle of hand sanitizer, as I often am picking up poop and on occasions having to clean up other messes. Two brands of hand sanitizer that I love to use to get such jobs done are the hand sanitizers from Grove Collaborative or Touch Land. 

Bandanas: Not all handlers will choose to use bandana’s or dress their dogs, so it is important to ask them their preferences. I choose to use bandanas in certain situations to help Eve stay festive during certain events. Some of the places that I usually get my bandana’s from are The Froggy Dog or the many small businesses on ETSY because of the quality of their bandanas. 

Making a tax-deductible donation to the organization that your friend or family member got their guide dog: In many cases one can make a tax-deductible donation to the organization in which your friend or family member got their guide dog from in their honor. In most cases this just means going on that organization's website and looking for the donate button. When making your individual donation it may ask if you want to make the donation in someone’s honor. To some this gift will mean more than physical items because you are making a difference in not only your friends life, but many others.

What I looked for in a Guide Dog School

When I finally decided to get back on the ride to apply for a guide dog there were many factors that I considered. I know for everyone there are different factors that each individual considers, but when making this decision just think of it as choosing your perfect college. For me there were ten factors that I considered and are as follows:

Location of the school: For some the location of a given school is a factor for many reasons. For me at this time in my life it was not so much of a factor, as I had traveled all over the country both independently and with family. Although it was not a factor during the second go round of applying for a guide dog, it definitely was the first time, as I was only a year out from my fifth brain surgery and new to traveling independently with my new level of vision. As a result, 14 years ago I was trying to go to a school as close to home as I could, so I was close to family and my medical team.    

Accessibility of the website: While applying for a guide dog I looked at the accessibility of the schools websites not only to see if I could access the needed information, but to see if the information was offered in multiple formats. One accessibility plus for the school I ended up choosing was the class lectures were made available in multiple formats, which I took full advantage of once I got accepted. 

Length of the individual program: For some due to work, school, and life commitments they look at the length of a given program to determine if they can devote that amount of time. For me I looked at this in terms of being a first-time handler and all the new things I would have to learn. With this in mind I was really looking for an in person two-to-four-week program, so I could focus on what I was learning. I got really lucky in that the school I chose was offering two three-week summer classes, which I was able to take advantage of the first one being offered. As a first-time handler I feel that it was the perfect amount of time to learn the needed skills. 

If the program offered to train the dogs on the right side or other specialized training: Being that I live with a mobility impairment that affects my left hand and arm, and that guide dogs are typically trained on the left side I was looking for a program that could potentially train the dog on the right if that’s what was needed. As I did my first Juno walk, I was pleasantly surprised that I could hold the harness handle in my left hand without letting go inadvertently and was also able to feel the needed movements.   

Instructor to student ratio:  Depending on the school chosen there is a student ratio of one instructor to two students and sometimes four students to one instructor. For me I preferred a school that offered a one instructor to two students, as this would mean longer routes, as well as more time to ask questions when needed.   

Having a relationship with my dog's puppy raiser: It was important to me to have a relationship with my dog's puppy raiser as they put so much time into the dog's success in the beginning. Having this relationship also means that I get to share in our success as a team. 

Veterinary assistance: Being that when I applied for a guide dog, I was a graduate student who was only working part time I knew that I would need some assistance with veterinary care, as it can sometimes come at a high cost. Each school varies in the assistance they provide with veterinary care costs from no assistance to full assistance for the working life of a dog. I ended up going with a school that provides a small stipend each year but does not pay for full veterinary care.  

Cost of training to students: Most guide dog schools provide their dogs to students free of charge, but there are some schools that do charge a small fee to students for each dog. Being that I am a working student I knew that I could not pay this fee at this time, but once I am able to I will be donating monthly as a thank you for the sense of independence and companionship I have been provided. 

Breed of Dogs: When choosing a guide dog school it is important to consider what breed of dog that you are looking for, most schools provide Labradors, Golden Retrievers, a combination of Labrador and Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, and Poodles.  For me I knew I wanted a Labrador or Golden retriever for their calm demeanor, since I work in offices and classrooms with students of all ages. 

Connecting with graduates from programs you are considering: In my process to apply to different guide dog schools, I found it helpful to talk to people who graduated from each program to get insight as to how they felt about the support they received while in class and post-graduation.  

I have to give a special thank you to Guide Dog Users, Inc. (GDUI) for doing a survey of what each school offered in 2020, as this survey helped answer many of my questions as a potential first-time handler and may help in answering yours as well.

Lindsay and Eve next to the Guiding Eyes for the Blind dog statue. 

Guide Dog Wishlist

When I found out that I got accepted to Guiding Eyes I was advised by some of my other guide dog user friends to start making a wish list of items that I would need once I arrived home. Here are Ten things that were on that list that I use every day with Eve. 

Lindsay and Eve Sitting with many of the items that they got on their Wishlist. 

KONG H2O Insulated Dog Water Bottle & Travel Bowl, 25:  Living in California with some days reaching 90+ it has been important to ensure that Eve stays hydrated. This particular water bottle has helped make that possible because of its compact nature. Being that it also has a bowl and container for water attached I have also found it helpful to feed Eve while on the go from time to time. One caution I have though is that the bowl for food is at the bottom and made of rubber meaning that it may become moldy if its not cleaned and dried properly.

EHEYCIGA Orthopedic Dog Beds for Large Dogs, Waterproof Memory Foam Large Dog Bed with Sides, Non-Slip Bottom and Egg-Crate Foam Large Dog Couch Bed with Washable Removable Cover, Grey: Living in a small space where a crate was not possible, having a bed with sides has been a perfect solution. Eve loves it because it's comfortable and right next to my bed and behind my desk chair. I also find it easy to clean, as all I have to do is unzip the outerlining and remove the memory phone pad to wash the outer lining. Oftentimes as I am writing papers, sitting in zoom classes, or working on my computer I find her on her bed right behind me. 

Nylabone Power Chew Flavored Durable Chew Toy for Dogs - Indestructible Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers Large Breed - For Extra Large Dogs - Original Flavor X-Large/Souper: Having an extra Nylabone has come in handy for Eve and I as I keep one in my backpack if she needs something to keep her busy while I am working in the office or in the field with students. 

Gamma2 Vittles Vault Stackable Dog Food Storage Container, Up to 40 Pounds Dry Pet Food Storage,Off-white, Made in USA: This particular dog food container has come in handy for me as I can store enough food for Eve for the month in a dry clean place. The shape of this particular container has meant that it fits perfectly between my desk and bedroom door, giving me easy access to Eve’s food. 

Pawfect Pets Elevated Dog Bowl Stand- 7" Raised Dog Bowl for Medium Dogs. Pet Feeder with Four Stainless Steel Bowls:  This particular set of bowls have worked well for Eve and I as they are at the perfect height for Eve, hold two cups of water nicely, and are easy to clean. What I like most about them is that this particular product comes with four bowls, so even if one set is dirty Eve still has a set to use while the first is getting cleaned.  

GORILLA SUPPLY Dog Poop Waste Bags with Dispenser and Leash Tie, 9" x 13", Blue, 1000 Count: When I decided to make my Wishlist this was one of the first things I put on it as I have been using these bags with my pet dog for years and love their quality and the amount you get for the price. 

Charlee Bear Dog Treats Variety Pack includes Liver, Egg and Cheese, Chicken and Garden Vegetable, Turkey Liver and Cranberries (4 Pack): Putting Charlee Bears on my Wishlist came recommended by my guide dog handler friends as it was something that I was going to use on a daily basis to reinforce positive behavior and redirect Eve when necessary. 

Petrodex Dental Care Kit for Dogs and Puppies, Cleans Teeth and Fights Bad Breath, Reduces Plaque and Tartar Formation, Enzymatic Tooth Brushing Kit, Peanut Flavor, 2.5oz Toothpaste + Toothbrush: This Dog tooth brushing kit was a great start for us as it supplied me with all the tools that I needed to ensure that Eve has good dental health. 

Pet MD - Dog Ear Cleaner Wipes - Otic Cleanser for Dogs to Stop Ear Itching, and Infections with Aloe and Eucalyptus - 100 Count: These ear cleaning wipes are good for in a pinch but it is always good to use the ear cleaning solution weekly to prevent ear infections.

Bonus Item: 

Pill Pockets: When writing my wishlist I wish I would have added pill pockets similar to this for the times that I would need them, but I forgot. About a year into my partnership I needed them for a short time for Eve and was pinching myself because I had not ordered them. Once I did I was thankful I did as it made giving her, her meds easier with the limited dexterity that I have on my left side.

I would like to take the time to thank those who gave us these items, as they have made all the difference in our lives on a daily basis for the last year.

Packing Tips for Guide Dog School

This month instead of sharing our adventures I thought I would share some of my packing tips and other things that I found helpful, what I did not use, and what I wish I brought to guide dog school. Don’t worry there will be an update on our adventures this month, but you will have to wait until next year to hear what we have gotten up to this month. 

Now that that’s out of the way, I want to preface this post with I had the opportunity to go to guide dog school right around this time last year, so many of my packing tips will surround the fact that I went in the summertime, although there are items that I packed that would help no matter the season you find yourself embarking on this journey.

What I found helpful to bring:

Comfy athletic clothes: As you will most likely find yourself completing at least two routes each day equating to about 3 to 4 miles each day athletic clothes will be really helpful especially if you find yourself in a summer class on the east coast in humidity. Some of the purchases that I made right before class were for socks, capri yoga pants, a light rain jacket, and bralette’s.  

If you are like me and live on the west coast and end up on a red eye flight, I would also recommend packing clothes to sleep in, where you have easy access to them if you find yourself needing a nap like I did shortly after you arrive on campus.

Good Walking Shoes: As has been mentioned in your pre-class materials it’s important to bring good walking shoes, as you will be walking a lot. What I personally found helpful was Nike Women’s Flex Running Shoes. From what I hear of Kisiks they would also be a good option, as you can walk in them, and they are easy to get on.   

Sunscreen: If you find yourself in a summer class you will thank yourself later if you bring plenty of sunscreen. I brought one bottle of spray sunscreen and almost finished the whole bottle before my three-week class ended. When it comes to face sunscreen, I would recommend bringing one full bottle. I brought two and never finished the first.

Hydration: As you will most likely be taking 3 to 5 mile walks a day it's important to stay hydrated. One thing I packed to ensure I stayed hydrated was Liquid IV and I asked to purchase Poppi. Having both of these drinks ensured that I stayed hydrated while being two drinks that I enjoyed.  

Hair ties: If you have long hair, I would recommend bringing hair ties as you will thank yourself later if the school that you attend is in an area where it’s known to become humid. When I was in class, it seemed like I would throw my hair up as soon as I got out of bed because I just couldn’t handle it being on my neck with the weather being so hot and humid.

Bug repellent: When taking a summer class, it would be helpful to bring bug repellent as you may encounter many mosquitos and other bugs. If you are not able to use bug repellent the Bug Sucker may also help.

Hand sanitizer: When packing for guide dog school I brought three bottles of hand sanitizer, but only ended up using one. It is good to at least have one bottle with you as at some point in class you will have to start picking up your dog's poop and you may have to do so mid route when you will not have the ability to wash your hands. Two of my favorite brands of hand sanitizer are Touch Land and Grove Collaborative.

Self-care: When packing it's important to think of your self care routine as it will be helpful to take time after your routes have finished for the day for self-care. One thing that I would do each evening after my routes finished was a facial as it helped me relax and wind down for the evening.

Handbag recommendations: When packing for guide dog school I chose to pack a small backpack that I could use on routes. It was helpful to have this backpack as I could carry my essentials while on route. Some of these essentials included water, sunscreen, an extra leash, clicker, headphones, my phone, wallet, keys, and a hat. In addition to the handbag, I also packed my Lululemon Belt Bag. I found my Lululemon Belt Bag helpful for short routes, as well as the few times my classmates and I went out after classes for the day. When going out I would carry the essentials of wallet, keys, and phone.   

Cash: Having some money saved for training would be a good idea, as you might want to buy things from the gift shop, you might have an adventurous class like I did and choose to go out on the weekends, or you might need things while you are on route in the mall or Target. I personally took $250 with me and found that that was enough, but it’s really personal preference.

What I did not find helpful that I brought:

Grooming supplies for Eve: I ended up bringing ear cleaning wipes, body wipes, teeth wipes, and a grooming glove, which I never used. Any grooming supplies that I needed were either at the school or already provided to me. One word of advice I would give is leave those supplies at home and save the weight that would take up for all the extra items you will come back with.

What I wish I brought:

Bug bite ointment: Although I brought bug repellent I forgot bug bite ointment, which was much needed as I was getting bit by mosquitos left and right.  The nursing staff had some, but it would have been nice to have some of my own to take care of the annoying itches. If you are not able to use bug bite ointment a bug bit sucker could also be helpful. 

Small Duffle bag: As I mentioned before you will get supplies and other souvenirs while you are in class. One good thing to bring is an extra duffle bag to carry these items, as you may not have enough room, or you may go over the weight limit. Not to worry, some airlines will allow you to check two bags for free or for a small fee.

I want to thank @shelbi_nichole, @livingblindly, and my classmates for giving me many of these tips either before or after my class ended. 

Lindsay standing in hallway of the alumni hall side of dorms with my suitcase. You may recall, that when I posted this picture on Instagram last year, I said that the anniversary and adventure is going to mean so much more.

One Year Home

I cannot believe that I am already writing our one-year home post. The month of July started off with Eve and I going to Disney World for a few days with @shelbi.nichole, @kristentheguideingeye, and another friend. We spent five days in Disney World visiting Magic Kingdom, Hollywood studios, and Epcot. Overall, it was a good Disney trip, but I definitely learned a few things from that trip. The most important being Musher’s Secret and a cooling vest to combat the heat and humidity,  

Lindsay and Eve Standing under the Epcot ball.

Lindsay, Eve Tiffany and Shelbi posing with Princess Aurora.

Lindsay, Eve Tiffany, and Shelbi posing with Princess Tiana.

Lindsay, Eve Tiffany, and Shelbi posing with Princess Cinderella

Lindsay, Eve, Tiffany, and Shelbi posing with Princess Ariel.

Shelbi, Kristen, Tiffany, Lindsay, and Eve standing under the Epcot ball.

Lindsay and Shelbi working Eve and Kristen in a double through Epcot.

Behind the sense of Figment.

Eve resting her head on the Living with the Land boat.

After this Disney trip ended we headed to the National Federation of the Blind’s (NFB) conference, where we met up with old friends and made new ones. While at this conference we attended guide dog seminars, educators for the blind meetings, general session, and of course a Guiding Eyes meet up.

The state of California delegation sign during general session.

Eve taking a nap during general session.

Eve and bunny wanting to play during the guide dog seminar.

Lina and Daphne, Lindsay and Eve, and Shelbi and Kristen standing together right before banquet.

Kaitlyn and Irish, Lina and Daphne, Lindsay and Eve, Shelbi and Kristen standing together before banquet began.

As the NFB convention was coming to a close, I got the call no child wants. On July 7th, 2024 my mom passed away in her sleep. Her passing was not a complete shock as she had taken a fall earlier in the year and had not healed properly after this fall. It did not help that she most likely would not be able to go back to work after this fall, and so mentally she had gone downhill from there. Although this is a hard time in my life right now I am comforted in knowing that my mom is no longer suffering. I know one of her biggest worries as I have traveled across the country for various meetings over the years was my overall safety as a person living with low vision. As I have now traveled almost a year with Eve by my side I know this worry was becoming less so and she knew that I would be Ok.

Lindsay and her mom standing together after Lindsay was crowned in the homecoming court.

On July 12th, 2024 Eve and I celebrated one year since we had met. This was the caption that I used when posting a series of pictures documenting this year, but I think it summarizes our first year together well. 

“Happy gotcha day Eve! I can’t believe that today marks one year that we met. This year has taught me a lot about patience, capabilities, and to trust another living being to get me from Point A to Point B. I would be lying if I said that we didn’t have our bumps in the road, but despite that we have been on many adventures in this last year. From countless hours in the office and grad school lectures when we get home, 16 flights, 10 protests, 9 states visited, 8 job interviews, 7 theme park trips, 6 speaking engagements, 5 conferences, four banquets, 1 wedding, and countless people asking to pet you in between. It’s been a wild year, but I wouldn’t give it up for the world. Thank you for being you and thank you for keeping me safe in whatever adventures we end up on.”

Once we arrived home from the NFB conference I spent the rest of July cleaning up my mom’s things and getting her affairs in order. I am so thankful for my Long Beach State family for allowing me to take this time to process the life changes that happened in July. Without this time off I do not know where I would be, nor would I have as much together as I do. Things are far from settled, but I could only imagine where things would be if I did not take this time off. I can only hope for a better August and the months to come.

Eleventh Month Home

To start the month of June, I started my last graduate course before completing student teaching this fall. The nice thing about this course is that it is only five weeks long and only meets twice a week via Zoom

In addition to completing my last grad school class before student teaching, I started a six week round of Occupational Therapy (OT). This has been a long time coming, as I have been requesting such assistance from my insurance company since before, I came home with Eve, as I knew it would help me build my strength. I am glad I have it now as I did not realize how many contractures I had built since not having OT since I was twenty-one. 

In between summer school and my grad school class I found time to have Korean BBQ with @otc_drums, @loveuleslie, and @alexxisb.kerr. I had never had Korean BBQ, so I had no idea what I was getting myself into let alone having Eve with me. Thankfully we did not have issues with access denials, but I did learn a valuable lesson. When going to a place like Korean BBQ be sure to place your dog under your chair, as there is no other place for them.

Lindsay, Leslie, Sam, and Lexi taking a picture together while eating Korean BBQ.

The second week in June, I was given the opportunity to demo the Monarch for some of the Teachers of the Visually Impaired that I had during my K-12 experience. They thought this tool would be valuable to use with their braille students when it came to teaching spatial awareness and graphical knowledge. They were even more proud of what I have been able to accomplish because for some of them, they have not seen me since I was in elementary school. 

In addition to demoing the Monarch for a few of the teachers that I had, the end of this week consisted of Eve and I attending my office's annual summer retreat and a veterinary appointment. This summer retreat took place in the student recreation center. During this retreat, we worked on summer projects that the office had neglected throughout the school year while serving students and also had team bonding activities in between. During my vet appointment, my vet could only say how healthy Eve looked and wished that all the labs he saw looked like her.

The third week of June consisted of preparation to leave for the National Federation of the Blind’s (NFB) summer conference. Some of this preparation consisted of me getting my nails done, a Trader Joe’s trip, and of course a target trip. 

Eve sleeping while Lindsay was getting her nails done.

To end the month of June, I completed my Reading proficiency exam for California, which is one of the last exams I need to get my teaching credential in California. Unfortunately, due to Pearson’s strict rules about leaving the floor as an exam is being administered, I was not able to bring Eve with me, as there was no way to relieve her. I know I could have fought this, but I was already fighting hard enough to get a laptop with a screen reader, so I could take this exam independently. Thankfully I did get the laptop, but it was not easy to get Pearson to agree to this. 

Not taking Eve to this exam was not the end of the world, as we flew to Florida for both a Disney World trip and summer conference less than twenty-four hours after I completed this exam. I will share the adventures of this Disney World trip and conference in my One Year Home post in late July.

Tenth Month Home

The Month of May started off with Eve and I having to navigate through the nationwide college campus protests as a result of the events happening in Iran. This protest did bring some challenges to Eve and I leaving campus, but nothing that we had not encountered during the previous semester. 

Later in the week, Eve and I talked to a local high school student about the responsibilities and the benefits of having a guide dog. I have to thank one of the teachers of the visually impaired that I had in middle school for setting this up, as it not only gave me the ability to educate this student about guide dogs, but I got to ask her questions about the field that I will be joining really soon. 

Lindsay and Eve standing outside of one of the oldest high schools in Long Beach after talking to a student about the guide dog lifestyle.

Lindsay, Eve, and Mrs. Yacoubian standing outside one of the oldest high schools in Long Beach.

During the middle part of this week, I was asked by another local teacher of the visually impaired to demo the Monarch and explain the benefits that I see the Monarch having on students. This was a great experience to demo the Monarch while also allowing Eve to play with this teachers guide dog once we were done for the day. 

At the end of this week, I had my last Disney trip before my pass expired. This trip was especially special because one of my former classmates joined me on this trip. Not only did this classmate join me on this trip but I also ran into one of the teachers that I had in high school, who showed me that I could do whatever I set my mind to. 

A group of people standing together next to Cinderella’s Castle.

Eve laying in the grass in Toon Town.

The second week in May consisted of me presenting to one of my classes on the importance of parent participation in the Individual Education Program (IEP) process of students with disabilities. In addition to this presentation, I wrote my Masters Research proposal. Not only was I completing my end of the semester projects, but I was also assisting with finals at work in between finishing my own final projects. In helping with finals, I quickly learned that I must have some sort of bone with me to keep Eve occupied, while we sit in the same spot for several hours. At the end of finals week, I celebrated in the graduation celebration of the students that I helped support through my department over the years that they were our students. 

Eve looking at the camera while her bone is between her front paws.

Parent Participation presentation

During the third week of May I started my summer work schedule, which consisted of me working from home two days a week. In addition to working from home, through my local National Federation of the Blind’s (NFB) chapter I got the opportunity to ride in a Waymo car through the streets of Santa Monica. 

Lindsay, Sam, and Eve sitting in the back of a Waymo car.

At the end of this week I came to support my brother as his band @therobjohnsonband was playing at The House of Blues. Unfortunately, due to the volume of music being played at this venue, I decided to leave Eve home with my mom, as I knew she would enjoy sleeping more. I share this because although guide dogs can go into all spaces that the public can go does not mean that they should.

Lexxi, Lindsay, and Leslie sitting a=in a booth before The Rob Johnson Band went on.

Ninth Month Home

The month of April started off with a speaking engagement to the Ohio State University Guiding Eyes for the Blind puppy raising club. During this speaking engagement I shared my story of finding Guiding Eyes and at the end they asked me questions about my life before Eve, what it has been like having her, and what I see the future holding with her. They also asked questions of what I wish puppy raisers knew from a handler’s perspective. 

At the end of this week Eve and I participated in the Southern California Best Buddies walk for inclusion. Best Buddies is an organization started by Anthony K. Shriver with the sole mission of creating one to one friendships with persons with and without disabilities in all education settings, employment, and in the community to show the capabilities of those with disabilities. During this walk Eve did great, guiding me through the crowd of almost 1,000 people, while having to work hard to not become distracted by all the other dogs she encountered on our path. She did so well that we Even got complimented by @iamvictorabree, a puppy raiser for @canineorg and a Ms. California contestant for 2024. 

Lindsay and Eve Standing with Mss. San Diego and Mss. Venice at the Best Buddies walk for Inclusion.

A large group of people posing in front of the Best Buddies backdrop before the Walk for Inclusion.

To start the second week of April, @ms-sonia_the great surprised me with this crocheted black dog, which Eve of course thought was hers. This is something that I will treasure forever, as it not only shows the appreciation that @ms_sonia_the_great has for the work that I do but will always remind me of the dog that started this journey for me. 

Eve sitting with a crocheted dog that looks like her.

Lindsay looking at Eve while holding the crocheted dog.

During the middle part of this week, I was asked by the California State University Long Beach’s Disability Studies graduate program to share my story of how I got where I am today, including how Eve falls into my story. At the end they asked me questions about infrastructure accessibility, how I gained access to the community services that I use to live a successful life, and tips educators should know when educating students with disabilities. 

At the End of this week @loveuleslie, @alexxisb.k, and @otc_drums went to the @knottsberryfarm’s Boysenberry festival. It was a great time to catch up with them, especially because @loveuleslie and I had not seen @alexxisb.k for a few weeks. We all really enjoyed the boysenberry themed food that @knottsberryfarm had to offer. One of my favorite things I got was the mango boysenberry smoothie, as it was refreshing, although it was a cold day. While we were there @alexxisb.k was surprised that Eve could go on rides like the Calico Railroad with us. This was quite a bumpy and creaky ride as it was cold and windy causing the train to squeak as it braked. Eve got a little startled as the train made noise, but nothing that positive reinforcement could not fix. 

Lindsay and Eve standing close to @loveuleslie and @alexxisb.kerr while at Knotts Berry Farm.

Eve looking through the GHOST TOWN Jail window.

The third week of April consisted of Eve and I attending the California Transcribers and Educators of the Blind and Visually Impaired (CTEBVI) conference. This conference started off with us attending a special training on the Monarch, which is the first multilined braille display on the market. I was especially surprised at the doors that it would open for me as a braille reader, but I was even more surprised at the amount of doors it would open for my future students in highly visual subjects like math or science. To make this possible, I have to thank @leweilbacher for making this possible because if it was not for her I would not have thought of coming to such a training. As a result of coming, I know that the American Printing House for the Blind (APH), Humanware, and the other stakeholders appreciate this feedback.  

The Monarch with part of a tracker displayed.

Lindsay and @leweilbacher holding up a Monarch box as their dogs look at one another.

Lindsay holding up her Monarch graduation plaque while standing behind the Monarch backdrop.

The Monarch plaque that reads “Monarch Master Program The rececipent has completed a braille metamorphosis and is ready to soar with their teaching and to bring the world to the fingertips of students.”

Not only did I get to explore the Monarch as I was at CTEBVI, but I was able to network with school districts across the state looking for Teachers of the Visually Impaired this upcoming fall. I made networking a priority as I was at this conference to ensure that I had a student teaching placement for this fall somewhere in the state of California. I was not only networking for student teaching, but also to meet others within the teacher of the visually impaired field. One special person I was able to network with was @braillionoffical. Throughout the last few years @braillionoffical has been able to share her passion for Braille in an enthusiastic way, while also educating her followers about braille and its importance. 

Lindsay and Eve standing with @braillionoffical in front of the Monarch backdrop.

To end the month of April I spoke to San Francisco State’s Intro to Disability course about how I got where I am today. I of course sprinkled in service animal etiquette where I could. Not only did I end this month speaking to students about my individual story, but I also assisted Long Beach state’s design students on their final project of the semester where they had to implement universal design.  

Eighth Month Home

To start the month of March, Eve and I finally moved into our temporary office before making the large move later this year. At the end of this week, I celebrated my 29th birthday. Although it was my birthday, it was quite eventful with a dog off leash in the student union at work, and a bus that broke down on the way home. Thankfully, we made it home safe just about a half an hour behind.

The Sunday after my birthday was quite eventful with Eve and I doing as much preparation as we could for our state National Federation of the Blind (NFB) convention taking place later in the week. The NFB is the largest consumer organization of blind and low vision people across the United States and Puerto Rico. The NFB’s mission is to not let the characteristic of blindness or low vision define one’s future.  

Once our state convention occurred later in the week, we were able to get there safe and sound with no access denials or issues with TSA. I attribute this to using our small airport that has a TSA crew that usually knows exactly what to do. I wish it was this simple everywhere I traveled across the country. What made the start of this trip even better is that the Sacramento paratransit service has amazing staff that were even willing to go find us at the airport when we were placed in the wrong pick up area.

During our NFB state convention I ended up stepping down as the student division Vice President, as I will no longer be a student after March of next year. In addition to stepping down as the student division Vice President I am now the secretary for the Guide Dog Division. Our NFB state convention did not only consist of the business of the organization, but we heard from the San Francisco LightHouse for the Blind on their efforts to make video games accessible, the California School for the Blind in their efforts to update the guidelines for educating blind and low vision students throughout the state, updates from AIRA and Be My Eyes on their efforts to implement artificial intelligence into their apps, and much more. Aira is a visual interpreting service for the blind and low vision, where a live interpreter helps describe anything in one’s environment that is needed. For example, on my way home from the NFB state convention I used this service to get Dippin Dots out of an inaccessible kiosk. Be My Eyes has a similar concept to AIRA, but the difference with Be My Eyes is that it is a free service run by volunteer visual interpreters. These interpreters do not have the same abilities as Aira interpreters do to see the location of a user for example or to gain access to one’s screen to assist with an inaccessible website.  

In addition to all of the business related to this convention, Eve and I had some interesting and unexpected encounters with other animals, while Eve was going to the bathroom. An example was this rooster that was not the biggest fan of Eve and @kristentheguidingeye. 

Eve and @kristentheguidingeye looking intently at a rooster.

Unfortunately, right after our national convention ended, we went right into another convention with California State University. Northridge (CSUN) hosting their annual assistive technology conference in Anaheim, where many of the new assistive technology related to blindness or low vision would be debuted. It was a great time to catch up with old friends and make new ones while also testing out all of the new gadgets. Some of my favorite gadgets that I saw this year were the Tactonom graphics reader, the Monarch and the OKO app. The Tactonom is a tactile graphics reader that allows one to feel the tactile graphic while also audibly giving key features of a given graphic as one scans the page. The Monarch is the first braille display of its kind that allows one to see more than one line on a braille display making tactile graphics possible to explore on a braille display. Prior to the Monarch most braille displays only had one line of braille making exploring graphics impossible with only one line of text. The OKO app is an app that can read the traffic signal with just one’s iphone camera. This opens so many doors for those who are blind or low vision, as prior to this one who was blind or low vision had to depend on the flow of traffic to determine if it was safe to cross the street, but with OKO it gives blind or low vision users added confirmation of when it is safe to cross the street.

Eve and lindsay standing under the CSUN Assistive Technology Confrence sign.

Eve not pleased that she was being disturbed during one of her session naps.

Eve taking a nap on one of my coworkers shoes after sessions ended for the day.

After the CSUN Assistive Technology conference ended, Eve and I went to Disneyland with a friend. I have to say Eve did really good not going after too many popcorn kernels or other food. Although she did well not going after the food on the ground, she was not happy to be placed in the kennel as I went on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance for the first time. Some of the cast members commented to me how good her lungs were as she barked the whole time as I was on the ride. I felt so bad afterwards as I was not expecting her to do so. One plus of going into Star Wars land was that I discovered another good relieving area in Disneyland. My favorite part of this particular relieving area is that there is no gate that one has to struggle to open before giving their dog the release command to go to the bathroom. After going on Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, we went on Thunder Mountain. This ride I had to kennel Eve as well, but she seemed to do better as it was in an open space with people around her. What made this experience even cooler was that a cast member named Adam assisted us in getting back to the kennel to get Eve. When I found out his name I jokingly said, “Do you want to meet Eve?” When I said this, he laughed at me as he was often asked as a kid where Eve was. The last ride of the evening that we rode before going back to our hotel was It’s a Small World. For the first time ever, Eve tried to sit between me and the friend that I went to Disney with before I got her to lay down on the floor at my feet. I really wish I got a picture of her doing this as it was adorable. I wish I could say we had a successful Disney trip without an @uber denial, but unfortunately as I tried to book our ride back the driver denied our ride after I mentioned that we were both blind and could not safely cross Harbor Boulevard to get to him. If he denied our ride for this very reason, I can only imagine how fast he might have canceled our ride if I mentioned that I was traveling with Eve. Thankfully when my friend tried to book a ride to the hotel after I got the denial the driver was more than happy to take us where we needed to go.

To end the month of March Eve and my sister @loveuleslie celebrated their birthdays a day apart. I think my favorite part was getting this picture of them, as it shows how much Eve loves her as she does me. 

Happy Birthday Eve!

Happy Birthday Eve and Leslie!

Seventh Month Home

To start our seventh month home we are in Washington D.C lobbying on Capitol Hill in relation to disability rights issues having to do with employment and medical devices. In addition to being in Washington DC to lobby on Capitol Hill, it is also my first week of my spring semester at SFSU. I am grateful once again to be in an online hybrid program, which gives me the ability to advocate around disability rights issues and other travel events while completing my studies. 

Our trip to D.C was successful with 13 appointments with both Congressional members and our two senators. When traveling down the halls of Congress the staff were amazed at how flawlessly dogs could guide us around all of the obstacles and other surfaces encountered. I also learned through this trip that many of the members choose to bring their dogs to work with them. As a result of the members bringing their dogs to work it did make it more challenging for Eve and I, but nothing that we could not get through.

Lindsay standing in front of Congresswoman Nanette Barragan’s office.

Lindsay and Eve walking down the halls of congress.

Although we had successful meetings with our members, it would not be a trip without the reminder of @uber and @lyft denials. On this trip alone we had four denials between the four days we were here. This was not the icing on the cake though, One of our roommates got denied boarding her flight because she did not have the proper paperwork even though she had the required DOT form to travel with a service animal. Thankfully after several phone calls my other roommate and I were able to get her on the next flight and safely home, but it was definitely a reminder of the challenges faced by service animal handlers when choosing to fly.  

Not only did we get reminded of the challenges of flying with a service animal and the challenges that it sometimes brings, but our 8 hour travel day turned into a 12 hour travel day as a result of Vegas’s airport becoming flooded causing our flight from Ohio to Vegas getting canceled. Thankfully @shelbi_nichole and I are well versed in the airports that are offered in the Southern California area and opted to fly into Ontario instead of waiting until 5 am the next morning to get a flight from Ohio to Long Beach as originally planned.

The week after being in DC was a week of recovery for both Eve and I as I caught something often coined “convention crud.” I was grateful to be working remotely Monday of this week as a result of more bad weather across the state of California, which afforded me more rest and recovery. The rest of this week Eve and I continued preparations for our upcoming office move and other office projects, while completing assignments for my spring courses.

The second week in February was quite eventful with Valentine's Day and a Disney trip to celebrate @kristentheguidingeye’s 6th birthday. On Valentine's Day I was able to capture this picture of Eve with her favorite new rose bone from @barkbox. In addition to getting this picture of Eve with her rose bone on Valentine's Day, on Thursday of this week @shelbi_nichole, @kristentheguidingeye, Eve and I made it on the @guidingeyes social media channels as part of the advocacy work, we were doing in Washington DC earlier this month. 

Eve laying in her bed with her rose bone on Valentines Day.

On Friday of this week @shelbi_nichole, @kristentheguidingeye, Eve and I went to Disney to celebrate @kristentheguidingeye’s 6th birthday. While there we  got this picture with Minnie and a picture of @kristentheguidingeye in front of the floral Mickey arrangement at the front of the park.  

@kristentheguidingeye sitting in front of the Mickey floral arrangement.

Lindsay, Eve, @shelbi_nichole, and @kristentheguidingeye posing with Miney in her house.

The third week in February Eve and I went to work and school as normal. During this week we finally got to see the temporary space we would be working out of for the next few months before moving into our permanent space later this summer. At the end of this week Eve @kristentheguidingeye, @shelbi_nichole, and I went to Segerstrom Center for the Arts to see The Lion King. The show itself was great because this particular showing offered audio description. Audio description is when all of the visual aspects of a movie or performance are described to a person who is blind or has low vision. When this description is happening the person needing description wears a headset to hear the additional visual information being given by the descriptionist. This particular performance was special because we got to meet the descriptionist after the performance, which usually does not happen.  

Although this performance was great we did face five @uber denials when trying to get to and from Segerstrom Center for the Arts. As a result @shelbi_nichole and I did file complaints to @Uber in regard to this as it was unacceptable and resulted in us missing 30 minutes of the show. Not only did these denials make us late, we also did not have the opportunity to get the pictures we had planned to in front of the Lion King prop as originally planned. 

The Lion King The World’s #1 Musical Play Bill.

The last week in this month consisted of Eve and I going to work and school as normal with a few appointments in between.

Sixth Month Home

To start our sixth month home I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year! To start this month off  @loveuleslie and I went to lunch with @s.e.l.z at @navy.proof. While there the staff remembered us and gave us the same spacious spot in the corner that we had sat at the last time we were here. It was a great time to catch up, as we had not seen each other since mid September. Not only did we get lunch together, but @s.e.l.z gave me the canvas of Eve that she had been working on. Since this was also New Years Eve, I knew that the safest thing that Eve and I could do was stay home and watch the livestream of the ball drop, as I was not sure how she would react to a large amount of fireworks going off. In typical Eve fashion, she seemed to sleep through them and even slept through a small earthquake on New Year's Day.

Oil, painting of Eve in harness with dog bones in the background by @s.e.l.z.

Lindsay and @s.e.l.z standing while @s.e.l.z is holding the art piece of Eve. Eve is also laying between Lindsay and @s.e.l.z.

The day after New Years Eve and I returned to the office as normal. This week was short and pretty uneventful minus Friday when as I was working we experienced another small 4.6 earthquake. This earthquake was considered small as it was a short 10 second jolt. At the moment I was not sure if I would have to get under my desk with Eve, as that is the safest place to go usually, as the earth is moving. I also knew if I had to get under my desk to keep myself safe during the earthquake that it might wake Eve up from the good nap that she was in the middle of taking. Thankfully this earthquake was short enough where this was not necessary. 

The second week of the new year Eve and I worked in the office as normal, the only difference was that my office was making plans to move to a different location on campus to be closer to our main office. In addition to making plans for my office to move, I had a few virtual meetings to prepare for the spring semester at SFSU and Washington Seminar. Washington Seminar is the National Federation of the Blind’s (NFB) main legislative event of the year, where members go to Capitol Hill to discuss issues that impact those with blindness or low vision. This year the three issues surround website accessibility, employment, and accessible medical devices. At the end of the week Eve and I attended my local NFB chapter meeting where we discussed Washington seminar and the other conferences that the NFB would be hosting throughout the year. Eve’s favorite part of my local chapter meeting was getting to finally run around with my chapter president’s guide dog, as the last time we were together they both wanted to play, but it was not the time and place for that. 

The third week of the new year started off with Eve and I going to Costco to get home essentials. To get these home essentials it took two Costco trips because my dad and I went on Sunday to grab what we could but it was quite hectic as a result of being Sunday and everyone else being out too. I was so glad for this Costco trip I decided to leave Eve with my mom at home because there were at least 200 people there making it hard to maneuver with just my cane  On our second trip to Costco it was less busy, so I was able to take Eve with me and we were able to get the rest of the items we needed without incident. The rest of this week was pretty uneventful with Eve and I going to work, continuing to prepare for Washington Seminar, and meeting with my advisers to start the process for student teaching in the fall. 

I wish I could say that @Shelbi_nichole and my Friday night to @disneyland was uneventful but unfortunately not. It was going great until Eve discovered all the popcorn on the ground and wanted to go after it. I of course got after her for this every time it happened but it was not easy. It also did not help that as it got later and later @disneyland got more crowded causing Eve to stop until the people got out of our way. This was most challenging during our last ride of the evening, which was Pirates of the Caribbean. I think what also made this most challenging was that the lines split in two for both the lightning and stand by lanes. After getting off  Pirates of the Caribbean we took the Disneyland Railroad to main street. This was not an easy train ride as there was a train at the station when we got there but we would have been separated, which we did not want, so we waited until the next train. Once we got on the train it took us 20 minutes to get to Main Street as the trains were delayed due to an earlier event. As a result of this delay we did not make it to Main Street until 7:55 pm. This made both @shelbi_nichole and I very nervous, as both of our paratransits were scheduled for 8:05 pm. It did not help that at that point  @shelbi_nichole was getting a call that her ride was going to depart soon and give her a no show meaning that she would not have a ride home. When this was happening, I did everything in my power to get Eve to go where I needed her to so that @shelbi_nichole and I would not miss our rides. When we got to the pickup point both of our paratransists had arrived, but @shelbi_nichole’s had already called for a no-show. Thankfully the driver hadn't left yet, so @shelbi_nichole had to call to have the no-show reversed. Although she had to call to have the  no-show reversed, it was still scary at the moment because we did not know if the driver was going to leave in the process of the no-show reversal. Thankfully that did not happen and we both made it home

Lindsay and @shelbinichole sitting on a bench in front of Cinderella’s castle, while @kristentheguidingeye lays at @shelbinicholes feet and Eve sits at Lindsay’s right.

Lindsay and @shelbi_nichole hugging while Eve is standing looking at @shelbi_nichole and @kristenthe guidingeye is sitting at @shelbi_nicole’s left.

The third week in January started with a good rain storm, which caused some minor flooding on campus, but nothing that Eve and I could not get through. I learned through this rain storm if I am stern in using my teacher voice I can get Eve to go where I need her to at a steady pace. It also did not help that my campus and the other California State University faculty were on strike during the first day of classes during spring semester. This was not helpful because many of the buses were either not running or had a hard time accessing campus. Thankfully I left plenty of time for my paratransit to get Eve and I despite the traffic.

Eve sitting in her raincoat in the university student union.

The rest of this week I chose to start varying Eve and my route home a little more to help expose her to our other transit systems and unique street crossings, For the most part adding these other routes did not faze her. This was with the exception of one annoying X intersection near my house. This X intersection is annoying because as someone who relies on the auditory feedback of traffic to cross the street safely it is almost impossable to cross without a steady flow of traffic since the only way to know it’s safe to cross this intersection is once all cars stop. At the time of day I attempted this I did not have the steady flow of traffic I needed resulting in my dad having to come and rescue Eve and I. Through this incounter I learned don’t cross this intersection unless a lot of people are around.

To start the last week in January Eve and I traveled to Washington DC to lobby on Capitol Hill. For being our first solo trip together across the country since coming home I think it went well with the exception of some minor hiccups. Some of the challenges we faced were Eve and @kristentheguidingeye wanting to play but in time that could happen and Eve always looking back while we were walking in a double to ensure that @kristentheguidingeye was still behind her. When getting on both flights they slept peacefully together as seen in the below picture. The biggest challenge Eve and I faced was navigating through a hotel with somewhere around 150 other guide dogs, but somehow we made it through.

Lindsay, Eve, @shelbi_nichole, and @kristentheguidingeye standing in front of the #FLYLGB sign.

Eve and @kristentheguidingeye lying together on a plane.

Stay tuned in our Seventh Month home to hear about what we get up to while being here in Washington DC.

Fifth Month Home

This month started off with me enrolling in my spring classes at SFSU. I am so grateful that in the spring I only have one Zoom class and that it ends at 7pm. This semester has been quite ruff as my Thursday night classes do not end sometimes until 9:30pm, so having classes that end earlier will be a nice break. 

In addition to enrolling in classes Eve and I went to work and school as we have been since the start of the semester. The difference with this month though, my coworkers have asked me concerning questions about Eve and her job. Some of these questions surrounded her having challenges navigating stairs and if she could help and mitigating students anxiety around finals. To the first question I responded that she was having challenges with stairs because there are 40,000+ students coming up and down the stairs, often not paying attention to where they are going, as a result the students cause a blockage for Eve and I. When answering the second question, I comly responded that being a therapy dog is not in her job description and that I will not add it to her job description, as it may jeopardize the $75,000 to $150,000 of training she received.  

In the middle of this month Eve attended my 10 year high school reunion with me. She did great navigating me through all the people even though the venue was dark. I also thought it was cute that one of my classmates asked me if she was the same dog that one of our classmates was raising for Guide Dogs of America as part of her senior project. I obviously said no, but told them that she raised this puppy for a different school than where I got Eve. Since I still keep in contact with this classmate on occasion I was able to tell them that the puppy they were thinking of got matched with an older lady in the Sylmar area. 

During this same week I took and thankfully passed all of my finals for this semester, while also helping administer about 1,000 finals in my office for students that we serve. 

At the beginning of the next week, I attended my local National Federation of the Blind (NFB) holiday party. I had fun catching up with members of my chapter that I hadn't seen in a while, while also playing holiday games. Not only did I have fun, but Eve had fun trying to get the other guide dogs in trouble. One of these days I know they all will get a chance to play together, but that time was just not during this event.

To start the third week of this month @shelbi_nichole and I went to Disneyland to celebrate the end of our semesters. Thankfully we did not get an @uber denial on the way, and Eve and @kristentheguidingeye did great navigating us around Disneyland. They were so great that we even were able to walk down Main Street shortly before the parade was to begin in order to leave the parks for the day. We also have learned through doing this so many times now that the best way to leave the parks is to take paratransit home, as both Los Angeles and Orange County services the Disney parks as a transfer point. As a result of taking this approach we both do not risk an @uber denial and know that each other will make it home safe.

This week continued with me working remotely from Tuesday through Thursday, as my students' semester was over, but the projects that needed to be done could successfully be done from home. Being that I was given the opportunity to work from home it gave Eve the ability to rest and recover from our Disney adventures while I worked. 

To end this week Eve had a vet appointment to meet our local vet. I am happy to report that she got a clean bill of health and is back at her target weight. Later this afternoon Eve attended my dad’s side of the family's holiday party. Eve had a fun time meeting new people and running around my cousin’s backyard. I think her favorite person to meet was my cousin's husband Dave as seen in the below picture.

Eve sitting in a park with a snowman bandana on.

Eve giving one of my cousin’s husbands a kiss.

The next morning after this holiday party I went with my dad to get his basic truck maintenance. While we were waiting on his truck service we took advantage of the Santa Margarita trail that was behind the car dealership. This was a nice way to stretch our legs after the 45 minute drive down to Santa Margarita. Once my dad’s truck maintenance was done we headed home to prepare for the other holiday festivities that would take place in the next few days. 

Santa Margarita River Trail

To start the last week of our fifth month home, it was Christmas day. Eve and I attended a small get together with my brother and his wife. 

To end this month Eve and I attended a holiday party for my high school’s alumni Best Buddies chapter. Everyone enjoyed meeting her, especially because many who attended realized not only what it means to me to have her, but how hard I worked to get her. Many who attended this event watched the heartbreak I had when I got denied at 16, but now see the doors that have opened and the sense of independence I now have.  

Lindsay and Eve standing with Mrs. Weinberg a retired teacher.

Fourth Month Home

Boy this month had a ruff start. This month started off with a series of medical appointments, which Eve did amazing navigating me to, but through this process I learned yet again what limited knowledge medical providers have as it relates to service animals. For example, when checking in to one of my appointments I pointed down to Eve to explain that I could not see the check in form, in which this receptionist asked for my paperwork for her. I then proceeded to explain that there are only two questions that can be asked of me as it relates to Eve. These two questions are:

1. Is this a service animal required for a disability? 

2. What service does this animal provide? 

From there this person was grateful that I helped educate her on service animal etiquette. On our way home from this appointment I learned the hard way why service animals should not sit on the bench seat closest to the door of the paratransit vehicles that my county uses, as dogs' nails can get caught in the ramp, as did Eve’s. Thankfully she is ok, but I never want to hear the sound that came out of her, therefore if I can help it we will not  be sitting in that seat.   

To end this week Eve had a playdate with @kristentheguidingeye, as I was going to a sporting event that I did not feel comfortable taking Eve to. Unfortunately, @shelbi_nichole forgot to get pictures for me to add in here. 

The second week of this month Eve got to experience her first speaking engagement for The Diabetes Link at the Beach. Our main role in this panel discussion was to share how Eve’s job is different from medical alert dogs. During this conversation I learned that these dogs use Charlee Bears for positive behavior and correctly alerting to blood sugar readings. This was really interesting to me as I also use Charlee Bears  for positive behavior and marking common places. I also learned that due to the pandemic programs that provide medical alert dogs have somewhere around a two year waitlist for applicants similar to guide dog schools.

Lindsay and Eve posing together after speaking to The Diabetes Link at the Beach club.

n addition to speaking to The Diabetes Link at the Beach, on Thursday of this week Eve and I participated in CSULB’s Tech Day. Our main role in this was to share what the students with disabilities office offers their students. One thing that I did to entice students to come over to our table was to offer to braille their names. I have worked this particular event in the past, but we did not have as many people come over to us as we did this year. On occasion people would see Eve poke her head out from under the table and they would ask to pet her, which I respectfully declined.

Eve hanging out with Elbee at Tech Day.

The third week of this month was pretty uneventful with Eve and I going to work and coming home to go to class. Although we had a typical work week this week, this weekend Eve got to go to her first Volleyball game at California State Los Angeles (CSULA) against San Bernardino (CSUSB). Unfortunately, CSULA lost to CSUSB. Our main purpose for going was to hang out with some of my classmates from SFSU, as they live near campus and one of them has a daughter on the CSULA volleyball team.

Eve taking a nap at the CSULA vs CSUSB Volleyball game.

The fourth week of this month was a little different for Eve and I as I worked from home as part of Thanksgiving week. It was nice to relax and catch up on things that I had not had a chance to get to while working in the office and completing courses.  It was also nice to have a great meal on Thanksgiving with my immediate family.

Third Month Home

To start the third month home, I completed my WAGATHON for Guiding Eyes by completing close to four marathons in the month of September with 104.4 miles. 

In addition to completing my WAGATHON Eve and I also attended my brother’s wedding. Although it was uneventful getting to Utah the Wedding itself was eventful because we were also competing with a 25 mile per hour windstorm as the ceremony started. This windstorm made it so that the wedding itself was quickly moved inside after the ceremony itself ended. As a result of at least 25 people in the house I had to make the tough decision for Eve and everyone else to leave her in the basement as we were having dinner. Making this decision was for the best as the main level of the house was extremely crowded. Once we all finished dinner donuts were delivered in place of a wedding cake. As a result of the windstorm half of the donuts blew out of the delivery man's hands.  If the windstorm did not make the wedding eventful enough, shortly after the toasts began my dad tapped me on the shoulder because he got a call from our local vet stating that our pet dog got out from where she was staying. Thankfully her picture was posted on a local community Facebook page and our dog sitter was able to get her back, but it was quite scary for about an hour or so.

@alexxisb.kerr and Lindsay standing together smiling.

Lindsay and Eve standing under twinkling lights.

The events of the wedding did not end with my pet dog getting out. You see, one of my sister-in-law's bridesmaids chose to go out after all the guests left to have drinks with the local cops, since she is a cop in a city in California. No one knew this until about 9:58 am the next morning as we were leaving the AirBnB and she had a police escort to the airport. This scared us all for a bit as we had a check-out for 10am and we were cutting it close. Once out of the AirBnB we drove around for a bit until we realized that because it was Sunday, and later realized that it was the LDS conference weekend everything was closed. Our only option would be to sit at the Salt Lake Airport until our flight at 7pm that evening. It was a long wait as we arrived at the airport at 12:30pm and we could not check in for our flight until 3pm. With all of this time to kill I chose to get readings done that I had not gotten to over the weekend, as a result of the wedding festivities. In addition to completing my readings, I also had to walk Eve up and down the airport to help get her energy out. Although it was not ideal it gave me the ability to work through dog distractions, targeting, and much more. We finally found ourselves on the plane to go home a little after 7:45pm. 

The Monday after the wedding was rough with Eve and I both being extremely exhausted, but I still had to go to work, as my office was a week out from our 50th anniversary celebration. As a result of this celebration, it was all hands-on deck to make this event happen as soon as I returned from the wedding. My main role in the preparation for this event was to proofread over 80 pages of braille, while also ensuring any other printed materials were made accessible for the event. I thankfully finished all of my tasks a day before the event was to take place. 

Some of the documents that Lindsay had to proofread for the 50th Anniversary Celebration.

The event itself went well with limited hiccups. Those who put the event together made sure Eve and I were sitting in an area where she was less likely to get stepped on and even had a relieving area for her.

Lindsay getting her hair done for the 50th Anniversary Celebration.

Lindsay and Eve standing in front of the BMAC step and repeat.

Lindsay and Eve posing awkwardly at the 50th Anniversary Celebration.

A day after the 50th anniversary event I received a nice surprise package from @esk8er718 and her daughter as a way to congratulate Eve and I for graduating as a team. One of my favorite items that she sent in this package was one of her Seeing Eye leashes that she used with students when she was an instructor. This is particularly a special gift as I realize the amount of lives this one leash changed and something as a handler I will cherish forever.

A package from @esk8er718

On the Monday after the 50th anniversary event Eve and I were visited by a Guiding Eyes representative to work through her sent distractions as well as her randomly stopping. As it relates to her sent distraction it was determined that she needed a Halti to keep her from getting into things she shouldn’t be. This representative and I also realized that Eve may be a little underweight, which could be contributing to her sent distraction. I was also assured during this discussion that what I am experiencing with her weight is completely normal with us just returning home and with time it will all even out.  

At the end of this week Eve, @loveuleslie, and I flew up to San Francisco to see my grandma, aunt, uncle, and cousins. Overall, it was a good visit, but I wish my grandma was feeling better, as she had taken a fall about a month and a half prior where she fractured her pelvis in three places. She is on the mend, but it’s a slow process. Through this experience I learned the hard way that I need to check in on her more, as she is only getting older and as mishaps like this are harder to recover from. 

In addition to seeing my family on this trip to San Francisco @loveuleslie, Eve, and I went into the city to get coffee at @bluebottle. Then we went to @ghirardelli to grab my grandmother chocolate. Once we were done at Ghirardelli we grabbed lunch at @sababa.restaurant. Once we finished lunch, we took pictures in front of the @transamericanpyramid. Before taking @BART back to my grandma’s house we had to find a spot for Eve to go to the bathroom. This was quite an adventure, as there were not many discreet or grassy areas to have her go to the bathroom, but as we were walking, we found an overgrown planter in front of a business building that she loved because she could roll in the grass. As we took BART it helped Eve practice intelligent disobedience on train platforms, traveling on trains, and tucking under chairs.

Lindsay and Eve standing in front of the Transamerican Pyramid.

Lindsay and Eve taking the escalator down to BART.

Lindsay and Eve walking down the streets of San Francisco.

Eve tucked under the seat of BART.

As we traveled home, we did not have the smoothest @TSA experience, while traveling through the Oakland airport. When I arrived at the @TSA checkpoint, I did what I was trained to do, which is to walk through the metal detector and call Eve through once I am through. As she goes through, she will alarm, and the TSA agents are to pat her down and swab my hands. On this particular occasion the TSA agents had me step to the side to allow another party to go through while they were waiting on back up. Once a more senior TSA agent arrived, he insisted on holding Eve as she would cause the detector to alarm again. As this was happening, I knew it was not right, but there was not much I could do as my sister had already made it through the TSA checkpoint. Once I made it through the check point, I was given back Eve, and my hands were swabbed. Once I grabbed my stuff we were on our way to our gate. Although we were on our way to our gate, I learned a valuable lesson through this, which was have one of my travel companions hold eve as I go through the metal detector, so that we are not completely separated and there is less likelihood of conflict.   

On the Monday after returning from this trip to San Francisco I was able to get a weight check on Eve, which confirmed the suspicion that she was underweight at 58.6 LBs. Having weight challenges like this are normal shortly after bringing dogs home, as with everything else the number of treats and food given is a lot of trial and error. The only thing I need to do now is give her 2 ½ cups of food and plenty of treats for good behavior and do another weight check in two weeks to insure she is either gaining weight or back to her target weight.

Later in this week Eve and I had quite the mishap with our paratransit, where instead of going to my office at CSULB my paratransit ended up at Disneyland. In some cases when things like this happen the paratransit service that I use can send the driver to the rider’s location, but in this instance because the ride was booked online there was no telling who made the error, so my only option was to find a different way home. Thankfully, I know the bus route home from my office quite well, as prior to the pandemic I was taking it five days a week. As a result of doing so it gave Eve the ability to learn a new route, while practicing taking the bus, crossing streets, etc. She did amazing with this route and even got us home an hour before my 4:30pm class at SFSU was to begin.

Eve laying down while we were waiting on a bus.

To end our third month home, I was asked by CSULB’s Career Center to speak on a Disability Inclusion Panel as part of Disability Employment Month. During this panel discussion I was asked questions about how Eve helps me at work, what other accommodations I use, and any other advice I could give job seekers with disabilities. 

Screen shot of the Disability Inclusion Panel that Lindsay participated in.

Second Month Home

Wow! Time has flown by. I cannot believe Eve and I have been home for two months. This month started off with Eve and I completing an observation in a classroom at an elementary school, so I could complete two assignments. The kids that I was working with loved Eve, and even asked “Is the dog coming back tomorrow?” The teacher of course responded that Eve would only come if I did. I thought this comment was really cute, as there is another guide dog that works on this campus. Once the kids went to recess, Eve got to make friends with this other guide dog before we had to head to the office for work that day. 

Eve laying in a reading corner in a classroom.

As a result of the fee hikes, one of the days this month as I was leaving work, I was stopped by a local news station because I had a cute dog with me. The reporter proceeded to ask me if I had any opinions on the fee hikes. Although I am a student at SFSU, which is another one of the 23 CSU’s, I opted not to comment as I also work at CSULB and was not sure how that would impact work. 

One project at home that I was eager to get my dad and brother to finish during this month was replacing the flooring in the rest of the house, as it was much needed and I knew we did not have much time to complete this project, as my brother would be getting married at the end of the month. To get this done quickly and without incident, I opted to complete class on campus for a few days, so that Eve and I would be out of the way. This seemed to work out great and the flooring was done in a matter of two days.

Eve laying down on the fifth floor of the library at CSULB.

It would not be another month home without another Disney trip with @shelbi_nichole and @kristentheguidingeye. I have to be honest though, this Disney trip was definitely rougher for Eve and me. The afternoon started with my paratransit almost not finding Eve and I on campus after work, so I was not sure if we were going to make it to Disney. Thankfully we were found about ten minutes after the driver arrived on campus and were on our way. Unlike our first Disney trip Eve was very interested in all of the smells and popcorn she could find. As a result of this behavior this Disney trip was a little more stressful for me, as I knew that I would have to constantly have to correct this behavior. As a result of the number of corrections and treats I gave for good behavior people were constantly asking if Eve was still in training. I was so glad to get this question rather than people pulling their phones out to film the challenges that we were facing. Although Eve and I had a tough Disney day I was extremely grateful for the Disney Railroad, as that helped us navigate through the different lands without having to try to get through too many crowds of people. It was also helpful that @shelbi_nichole’s dad offered to take us home prior to planning this trip. I do not know what I would have done if he did not offer this prior to the day Eve and I had. I do not think I could have mentally dealt with two or more @Uber denials similar to what @shelbi_nichole and I dealt with on our previous Disney trip.  

The morning after this Disney trip I got a text from a GDMI that was going to be in my area in the coming weeks asking if I needed help with anything. After the challenges that I had the night before I quickly said yes, because I had seen small instances where Eve would sniff certain areas, but it was not all the time like it was for this Disney trip, and I wanted to nip this behavior in the butt before it got worse. I not only wanted this behavior looked at, but also the behavior in which Eve stops randomly, as I had recently seen it happen on stairs, which was quite scary since I do not have depth perception. 

Toward the end of this month my family and I prepared to fly to Utah for my brother's wedding. Overall, the flight there was uneventful. The only challenge my parents had was keeping up with Eve and I, as we seemed to walk faster than them. This was especially apparent when I lost them in the Long Beach airport after going through security. I was surprised I managed to do this as the Long Beach Airport only has eleven gates and all boarding happens on the tarmac. Once landing at Salt Lake Airport I also had to give my parents the lesson that Eve and I could not go on the people movers as they are extremely dangerous for Eve. 

In addition to all of the events this month Eve and I participated in Guiding Eye’s WAGATHON. This WAGATHON is one of Guiding Eye’s largest fundraisers of the year and the goal is to walk or run 26.2 miles in the month of September to raise funds for Guiding Eye’s important mission. Close to the end of the month I have so far completed 99.57 miles in total this month. 

First Month Home

I cannot believe as of today Eve and I have been home for one month. In some respects, it feels like we just got home yesterday, but it also feels like we have been home for a year or more. This week started off with me being interviewed by a Guiding Eyes volunteer for my Guiding Eyes blog post. In this post I explained what life has been like since coming home with Eve in addition to some events that I am looking forward to experiencing with Eve in the coming weeks. 

My main focus during this week was to finalize a presentation on Service Animal 101 for the larger division I work under. While at work on Wednesday of this week Eve and I encountered the first of many protests planned throughout the semester in relation to fee hikes. Eve did amazing navigating me through this crowd of people. This protest was only one crowd of people we had to navigate through between 12-1, during college hour on this day. It was also Welcome Week, so the quad was also quite crowded with people, tables and golf carts. 

In addition to my work, I also found out that I was not selected as the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing student representative for this academic year. I was a little disappointed, but I know other opportunities will come my way. 

Fourth Week Home

This was quite an eventful week with this week starting off with southern California getting a hurricane, which we had not seen in at least 100 years. In addition to this hurricane the Inland Empire experienced a 5.0 earthquake. Thankfully where I am all we experienced was rolling and no damage. 

As a result of the hurricane California State University Long Beach (CSULB) called for a remote workday for non-essential staff for the Monday of this week. I was grateful to be determined as non-essential, as I was not sure how Eve and I would navigate campus, as I know how our campus can flood in bad rainstorms. 

Tuesday of this week was the first day of classes at CSULB and my first day of fall semester at San Francisco State University (SFSU). With it being the first day of classes CSULB had close to 30,000 students on campus. Not only did Eve and I have to navigate through all of the students, but I also had my first staff meeting of the semester with my director early that morning. She had the idea to hold our meeting at the campus Coffee Bean. I did not realize the challenges that I would face in getting to this meeting. For a while Eve and I were walking along at a steady pace alongside my co-workers until Eve stopped randomly similar to how she did the previous week. I did an obedience routine similar to the previous week and we were on our way, although a bit late. As we left, Coffee Bean Eve randomly stopped again, but it was worse as she did this in front of my director and the art director. As a result of not wanting to be late to my next meeting I pulled my cane out and put Eve in a heel to make it on time. Once this meeting ended, I knew I would have to send my instructor a text to schedule a call to go through some trouble shooting as I knew I could not continue having Eve stop randomly. This call happened that afternoon shortly before my first class of the semester. After this call I felt refreshed in knowing that I had some tools in the toolbox to get Eve going again if this happened again. 

On Wednesday I had a pretty uneventful day at work, that was until I was walking to my paratransit and Eve stopped randomly in front of our campus pub. Before I could do what, I was told to do Eve managed to lay down. I then gave her the command to stand an additional leash correction and we were on our way. 

Eve unexpectedly laying down mid route.

On Thursday work was uneventful and Eve was able to get me where I needed to go without incident. The only challenge I faced was figuring out our schedule for when I have class for six hours on Thursday nights. Once my two classes ended, I found out that both of my instructors planned not to use our whole time for lecture, so Eve and I would have much needed breaks in between. 

Friday of this week was quite rough for me as I had class until 9:30pm the previous night, but Eve and I made it through.