Graduates 1997

Jonathan

Besides his luxurious coat and calm personality, the most distinguishing feature about male Golden Retriver, Jonathan was the distinctive blaze across his muzzle. The most distinguishing feature about his raiser Kathy Hanselman is her vivacious and easy going spirit.

With his partner, Jonathan became a guide dog and a snowbird. During the winter, Jonathan can be found guiding on the streets of Yuma, Arizona. In the heat of the summer, Jonathan lives in a small town outside of Calgery, Canada.

Topaz

Despite the cold and rain, graduation day December 6, 1997 will also be remembered by Christina Van Hook and her co-raiser 8th grade student Kami Duncan as sunny and warm. Their guide dog puppy Topaz was ready to become the partner of an energetic woman and college student from Simi Valley, California.

By the time she graduated, Topaz was a well know personality in Carson City and the Nevada State Legislature. Topaz was by Christina's side when she testified before many legislative committees. When Nevada Governor Bob Miller signed a law giving puppy raisers the right to bring their guide dogs in training to work, Topaz had already blazed the trail at the Department of Family Services.

Gatlin

November 8, 1997 was a special day for identical twins Anna and Kettie Surber and their friend Christy Poytras. Their first guide dog puppy, Gatlin was ready to graduate and begin his career as a guide dog in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

During the time he grew up in Carson City, Nevada, Gatlin went to Fremont Elementary School every day. The students of Mrs. Surber's first grade class loved to show Gatlin how well they could read. During recess, Gatlin hung out with his many friends. Gatlin even had his own picture in the class photo.

Sealy

On September 13, 1997, male Golden Retriver Sealy raised by eighth grader Lisa Wentworth graduated as a guide dog. Sealy's coat was a bright red, his demeanor was gentle and his willingness to please people without limits. Today, he lives and works in Temple, Texas.

Cassidy

The first guide dog puppy Jamie Hanselman raised, Cassidy, graduated on May 24, 1997. Cassidy became the seeing partner to a man from Moreland, Idaho.

Echo

Echo, a female Black Labrador raised by seventh grader Ronda O'Neil grew up walking the "busy" streets of Carson City. All of this walking down main street certainly prepared Echo to be the working guide for a woman who takes public transportation every day to her job in New York City.