Alyssa, who lives with retinal dystrophy, never let her gradual vision loss stop her from navigating her small hometown and high school hallways by herself. However, soon after Alyssa graduated high school, she realized that college was a whole different ball game.
Though Alyssa had strong orientation and mobility skills, her new college campus was far more expansive than her small hometown and she found it difficult to navigate alone. “I hated it. I didn’t get out much. I would go to class, come back, and that was it,” Alyssa explains.
Alyssa soon realized it was time for a change, so she decided to consult The Seeing Eye’s Admissions and Instruction & Training teams. Alyssa’s strong orientation and mobility skills, along with her low vision, made her a candidate for a Seeing Eye® dog, and after speaking with the instructors, Alyssa felt confident that this was the right place for her to apply.
In 2015, The Seeing Eye matched Alyssa with Autumn, a black Lab/golden retriever cross. “When we went for our first walk, I cried from happiness the entire time,” Alyssa remembers. “It was one of the most magical experiences of my life. I will never forget it.”
With newfound confidence and freedom, Alyssa could fully enjoy her college experience. “A month after I got matched with her, I started going out to things in college and started going to the gym — little things that I just would never do before. Having Autumn by my side opened everything up for me.”
The confidence to explore new social environments with ease was a benefit Alyssa had not realized a guide dog could provide her with. Even after Alyssa had completed her studies, she and Autumn continued to be an adventurous duo, especially when Alyssa went on a backpacking trip in Canada. “Autumn kept me safe. She told me every hiking route, every hole in the ground, and every time we had to pause for traffic.”
Today, Alyssa is a developmental psychologist, working with developmentally atypical children in hospital settings with her second Seeing Eye dog, a black Lab/golden retriever cross named Trexler. Trexler helps Alyssa navigate her daily commute, workplace, and errands.
When it was time for Autumn to retire, Alyssa chose to keep her as a pet in her own home, an option all Seeing Eye handlers have since The Seeing Eye grants them full ownership rights over their Seeing Eye dogs. Autumn is enjoying retired life and is the best of friends with Trexler. “They’re always together — cuddling together, playing together, and even sleeping in the same bed together,” Alyssa says fondly.
