Our Latest Graduating Class

Charlie Sullivan & Stemic

In July 2008, Charlie Sullivan lost the sight in one eye due to non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy, a condition that cuts off the blood supply to the optic nerve.  Typically this will only affect someone in one eye, but in Charlie’s case, Mother’s Day of 2009 saw the loss of vision in his other eye as well. 

In order to learn the independent living skills he would need to get through life without his sight, his doctor suggested he work with the Tennessee Services for the Blind.  While there his orientation and mobility instructor suggested he get a guide from Southeastern Guide Dogs.

“I was apprehensive about coming here” Charlie said “I hadn’t been away from my wife for more than a couple of days and the training period is a long time.”  Charlie’s happy he made the decision to come, after being matched with a big beautiful black Lab named Stemic. 

“I used to train hunting Labs and always used females because they seemed to be easier to train” stated Charlie “but I couldn’t be happier with Stemic, he’s so laid back, is the perfect pace for me, really, there’s nothing I don’t like about him, the trainers did a perfect job of matching us.”

Gwen Givens & Orban

Gwen Givens, affected by retinopathy of prematurity, has been totally blind since birth. It used to be common practice to place premature babies in incubators that were rich in oxygen. While this may have helped other organs to mature, it had devastating effects on the eyes. 

Gwen was back on Southeastern Guide Dogs’ campus for her second guide after working with her previous dog for 10 years, 7 months and 15 days, to be exact.  She was paired with a sleek black & tan Labrador named Orban.  Of Orban Gwen says “while he’s still young and playful, when he wants to be, he’s a fantastic worker and he is very intelligent – you can tell that by the size of his head!”

Gwen and Orban will have a very busy life ahead of them. Gwen is up at 3:00 every morning to head to work in downtown Tampa.  “I can’t imagine travelling without a dog, you develop a shorthand with them that is certainly not possible with a cane.”

Jean Johnson & Alistair

Jean Johnson found out at the age of 22 that she would lose her sight and hearing as a result of retinitis pigmentosa syndrome II, more commonly referred to as Usher syndrome.  While it is a genetic condition, the only person in her family who suffered from similar loss was her grandfather.

Jean lived for 57 years before her eyesight started to deteriorate enough to keep her from driving and it began to fail her even further after she had a number of surgeries.  For the past 15 years her friends have been suggesting that she get a guide dog, but she wasn’t ready.  Her husband travels in a scooter, so for the past couple of years Jean was getting along by following behind him.  Her husband worried about Jean's future is something happened to him and urged her to get a guide dog.

Jean took a great step toward independence by coming to Southeastern Guide Dogs for her first guide.  She was matched with a sleek, black Labrador named Alistair, Allie for short.  “She’s such a sweet girl, good natured and she loves me as much as I love her,” Jean said.

Jeanne Cadman & Wesley

Retinitis Pigmentosa took Jeanne’s vision when she was just 13 years old. And she wasn’t alone, her mother and two brothers also suffered from vision loss.  Being the most independent of the bunch, Jeanne wanted a dog right away, so a few years after being deemed legally blind, she came to Southeastern Guide Dogs for her first guide, Fenway.

Eight years later she was back on campus for a guide and was matched with a lovable black Labrador named Wesley.  “He’s a sweet boy, smaller than Fenway, but has lots of heart, we’ll make a good team," Jeanne said.

As an artist, Jeanne spends time painting tropical landscapes, flowers and birds, and upcycling jewelry, turning something that was once cast off or forgotten into a unique piece of wearable art.

Jeanne also spends her time caring for her mother. While also suffering from retinitis pigmentosa, Jeanne’s mother does not share the same mobility as Jeanne and Jeanne is excited for the opportunity to teach her the independent living skills that have allowed her to live life to the fullest.  Wesley better also be ready for a workout as Jeanne is also looking forward to getting back to the Y for some water aerobics. 

We just hope Wesley isn’t one of those water-loving Labs who is apt to dive in and join the fun.

Mike Calvo & Hurley

If you only looked at the first 20 years of Mike Calvo’s life, you might have done what people throughout his life have done and underestimated his abilities. Born blind due to detached retinas, Mike spent his youth rebelling.  Doing everything from dropping out of high school to running with a questionable crowd. 

People set lower expectations for Mike as a blind person and that fed his desire to show them exactly what he could achieve.  This was also one of the reasons he didn’t want a guide dog.  “I didn’t want to rely on a dog, I wasn’t a dog person and couldn’t imagine putting my life in the hands of a dog,” Mike said.

Now the CEO of Serotek Corporation, an adaptive technology company that provides one of the most well-used screen reader programs for Windows, Mike has opened up the world of the internet and computer programs to blind people all over the world. 

And Mike rethought his stance on guide dogs. Travelling heavily for work, he realized that having a guide dog would make negotiating the world far easier than cane travel. So just over six years ago Mike came to Southeastern Guide Dogs for his first guide, Jacksan.

Mike was back at Southeastern and was paired with a true character in Hurley.  “He’s a bit immature and goofy, but he will end up being a great dog, I’m sure,” said Mike.  When in harness, Hurley, the Hungarian Vizsla is all business, and he better be since he will be travelling all over the world with Mike. 

When not working to spread accessibility around the globe for the visually impaired, Mike also does outreach with his company and participates in mission trips to places like Uganda.

We bet no one underestimates him now!

Nora Merriam & Rickey

“Every morning that I open my eyes and can breathe, I’m grateful,” said Nora Merriam.  That is quite the outlook for a woman who has gone through so much.  Stricken with Chronic Neurological Lyme’s disease, Nora has had to deal with vision loss, diabetes, thyroid and gallbladder problems and arthritis in every bone in her body for the past 15 years. Nora credits a great support system with helping her to cope. 

It was one of this great group of friends who made a huge difference in her life. Grandma Curry, who is very involved in the Lion’s Club first told her about Southeastern Guide Dogs and suggested she regain her independence through a guide dog.

Nora was back at Southeastern Guide Dogs for her third dog and was matched with a big, gentle Labrador named Rickey.  “He’s so sweet, I love to cuddle with him,” Nora said of Rickey.  It’s obvious that the feeling is mutual as Rickey must constantly touch Nora, even as he naps.

Nora and Rickey are busy now that they have returned to Ruskin.  As a retired nurse with years of experience, she teaches a first responder course for the Sun City Center rescue squad.  That’s a lucky group of people because not only does she give them extremely valuable information, but she also cooks for them twice a month.

Steve Perryman & Coaster

Steve Perryman learned at age 14 that he would lose his vision from retinitis pigmentosa.  It has been a gradual loss over the years and only in the past two years did it become bad enough to stop Steve from driving.  “Not being able to drive took away a lot of my independence, so I knew I needed to do something to reclaim it and I debated about getting a guide dog for a while,” Steve said.

While participating in a charity VisionWalk in Nashville in May, Steve met two of Southeastern’s puppy raisers and they introduced him to the school, passionately encouraging him to get a guide dog.

Upon submitting his application, Steve was told it may be a while before he got into class, but a few short weeks later, he got the call from Admissions that there was space for him in the next class. 

Thrilled about the timing, Steve made the arrangements to come down for training (and take a month off from Ford Motor Credit where he has worked for the past 15 years).  And during class he was paired with his new guide, Coaster, a beautiful black & tan Labrador.

Steve says the trainers made a great match, as he and Coaster have very similar personalities: they are both impatient and stubborn, ready to go all the time and not scared to try anything.  Steve also describes Coaster as “being a ham, a bit intimidating, an attention getter and outgoing.”  We wonder if Steve shares those personality traits as well.

These are just a smattering of the variety of people who suffer from vision loss and that we at Southeastern Guide Dogs have the pleasure of meeting and welcoming into the family as they learn to travel forward with their guide dogs.