Pictures

 Getting blindfold experience early into my apprenticeship.

First String (L to R) Yellow Lab "Solano"-working guide in Utah

Black Lab "Mr. A"-enjoying life as a pet

Golden/Lab cross "Delilah- working guide in California

 

Second String (L to R) Yellow Lab "Rebecca"-working guide in Texas

"Mr. O" Black Lab-working guide in Victoria, BC (retired)

Black Lab "Chevelle"-working guide in N. Carolina

 Third String (L to R): Black Lab "Halima"-working guide in Ontario, Canada

Yellow Lab "Takoda"-working guide in Florida

Black Lab "Vindy"-working guide in Washington

Black Lab "Mr. E"-enjoying life as a pet

 Fourth String (L to R): Black Lab "Kilroy"- working guide in Idaho

Black Lab "Tayla"-working guide in Ohio

Black Lab "Camper"-working guide in Maryland 

Yellow Lab "Mr. N"-enjoying life as a pet

Fifth String (L to R): Black Lab "Leland"-Working guide in California

Yellow Lab "Gracious"- Working guide in Singapore

Yellow Lab "Keymer"- working guide in Oregon

Yellow Lab "Mr. A"- enjoying life as a pet

Sixth string (L to R) Yellow Lab "Trusty"- working guide in Colorado
Yellow Lab "Osmond"- working guide in Minnesota
Yellow Lab "Plum"- working guide in Washington
Black Lab "Guy"- working guide in Alaska

This is one proud puppy after finishing her final test and one happy trainer! She liked to "smile" when holding her bone.

Seventh string (L to R) Yellow Lab "Renaissance"- working guide in Ontario, Canada
Black Lab "Seinfeld"- working guide in Washington
Black Lab "Mr. D"- enjoying life as a pet
Yellow Lab (white stripe down middle of face) :) "Truckee"- working guide in Texas

And some dogs you just can't help falling in love with...

Eighth string (L to R) Yellow Lab "Mr. W"- Enjoying life as a pet
Yellow Lab "Quincy"- working guide in Washington
Yellow Lab on bench"Praline"-My test dog- working guide in Washington

During the 3rd year of apprenticeship, part of the series of tests is completing what we call our "In-house Practical exam" where the apprentice designs a route, and then navigates the route while under blindfold.  The route must incorporate a "orientation challenge" of some sort, whether it be an island crossing, or an offset crossing, or any other challenge. My route's orientation challenge was going through the light rail station and getting on the train, and then navigating through the other train station once I got off.  Here is the youtube link to about 10 mins worth of the route showing the MAX train station portion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ1p1g8vJC4

My little test dog "Praline".  She was AWESOME!!! :) Love this dog so much!

March 2016 Ninth String
(L to R)
Black Lab "Misto" working guide in Ottowa, Canada
Black Lab "Miss Y" - enjoying life as a pet

 June 2016 -Tenth string...Last string as an apprentice!! (became qualified halfway through this string. (L to R)
Black Lab "Hikari" working guide in Missouri/Tennessee
Black Lab "Riggs"- working guide in Washington
Black Lab "Drayson" - working guide in Oklahoma

Such sweeties! :)


Aug 2016-Eleventh (These two sweet boys got me through the official END of my apprenticeship as I became licensed halfway through this string!)
Yellow Lab "Ben"- working guide in Montana
Black/Brindle Lab- "Helix"- working guide in Arkansas

I thought it would be interesting/fun to map out where in the world these dogs I have worked with throughout my apprenticeship are....So here's the map.
:)

November 2016

Golden- "Torch" - Working guide in Texas
Yellow Lab "Plunkett"- working guide in Oregon