Meet GDB client Cheri Owen and her guide dog, Martinez. Cheri is an Air Force veteran, an athlete, and coach who talks to us about resiliency.

GDB President and CEO, Christine Benninger joins us on Central Bark for her Annual Update. What is in store for GDB in 2023? Tune in to learn more.

Meet Dr. Jason Doorish, Psychosocial Support Specialist at Guide Dogs for the Blind. Jason is a clinical expert who brings 15 years of professional experience in the mental health field to his role at GDB, and a lived experience as a guide dog handler since 2007. As part of our world-class client services team, Jason offers emotional support resources to clients in our guide dog, K9 Buddy, and Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Immersion programs, all free of charge.

We're excited to introduce you to Sara Edwards, the mother of two young adults who are part of the GDB community. Both of Sara’s children have attended Camp GDB and her oldest has gone on to receive his first guide dog from GDB. We’ll talk about her experience as a sighted parent raising children who are visually impaired, and how Sara has advocated and championed her children’s journeys along the way.

Meet Shane Dittmar and their guide dog, Chevelle! Shane is a musician, composer, performer, educator and advocate who is working to make theater more inclusive.

Theresa sits down with GDB Youth Outreach Specialist, Jane Flower, and Richard Rueda from APH CareerConnect to discuss our upcoming collaborative project: Careers & Canine Connections. Geared toward young adults ages 18-24, this FREE week-long workshop will be equal parts fun and future-focused to help prepare attendees who are blind or visually impaired to enter the workforce with confidence and an understanding of how a guide dog might fit into that plan.

Meet Mary Thomas, an outdoor enthusiast, and GDB grad. Mary sits down with Theresa to talk about how she prepares for her hiking adventures with her guide dog, accessible outdoor spaces, and her goals to hike the Appalachian Trail in 2023.

Show notes and transcripts are available at guidedogs.com/podcast.

We are excited to have award-winning filmmaker and longtime GDB friend, Dana Nachman on the podcast! Dana was part of the team that made the Pick of the Litter documentary, and the Disney docu-series by the same name, that tells the story of GDB puppies on their journey to becoming guides. We take a walk down memory lane to share some behind the scenes details about POTL and talk a bit about Dana's latest project, Dear Santa, which has a fun and exciting connection to Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Part two of our audience Q&A episodes! This week, we answer your questions about the GDB Puppy Raising program with Puppy Raising Field Manager, Anne Tyson. To learn more about becoming a puppy raiser, visit guidedogs.com/puppy.

GDB is thrilled to have the opportunity to expand the geographic and demographic scope if our K9 Buddy Program to include adults of any age who are blind or visually impaired throughout the U.S.

Meet Kelsey Gilbert, K9 Buddy Program Manager and client Steve Gomes, who after working with 5 guide dogs, has found the perfect match for his new lifestyle in his K9 Buddy, Bill.

Visit guidedogs.com/podcast for show notes and transcripts.