Central Bark: A Guide Dogs for the Blind Podcast

Raise a puppy, change a life! Theresa sits down with Sarah Blevins, GDB Director of Puppy Raising, to talk all things puppy! From the team's approach to research and canine welfare to all the ways that you can raise a guide dog puppy for GDB. You won't want to miss this one!

Back by popular demand! Let's revisit our interview with Richard Rueda and Jane Flower about Careers and Canine Connections ahead of our 2025 season. Plus, hear from client Alana Ambrosecchia about her experience attending Careers and Canine Connections.

Guide Dogs for the Blind President and CEO, Christine Benninger is back on Central Bark to share thoughts and reflections on 2024 and exciting news about 2025.

Meet GDB Client Faith Snapp and her guide dog Prim. Faith sat down with host Theresa Stern to talk about her history with Guide Dogs for the Blind, her leadership role in FFA, and her future plans as she embarks on her newest adventure- veterinary school.

Did you know that GDB is 100% donor-supported and that we receive no government funding? Find out how GDB is able to offer our programs and services at no cost for clients thanks to the generosity of our community.

Guide Dogs for the Blind surveyed its alumni in the US and Canada to identify common experiences with rideshare denials. In this episode, GDB Alumni Association Manager, Amy Salger, and Lead Researcher, Melba Vélez-Ortiz, share the staggering results and what GDB is doing to ensure that rideshare companies are held accountable for these egregious actions.

Television and film producer Joe Strechay joins Theresa on Central Bark to talk about accessibility and inclusion in the entertainment industry. Joe was a producer on All The Light We Cannot See where he worked with GDB alum Aria Mia Loberti, who was the first legally blind leading actress to portray a blind character in a major studio production. They talk about his work in the area of disability employment advocacy and finally settle the "cane vs canine" debate.

Have you ever heard that its important to socialize your dog? What does this mean, exactly? Socialization is often used when discussing dog behavior, but what is it?! Join us as Theresa talks to Dr. Lynna Feng, GDB's Canine Research Manager, about the principals and practice of canine socialization and how it helps GDB's dogs go on to do life-changing work.

In this episode, we're answering one of your most common questions. "What happens to the dogs who don't become a guide dog or K9 Buddy?" Theresa sat down with James Dress, GDB's Dog Placement Program Manager to talk about what it means when a dog is Career Changed and how GDB ensures that all dogs find their purpose and their path.

GDB President and CEO Christine Benninger joins Theresa on the podcast for her third Annual Update. She talks about some of the biggest successes in the last year and what she is most looking forward to in 2024.

Careers & Canine Connections is back! This innovative partnership between Guide Dogs for the Blind and APH CareerConnect will once again bring young adults together to learn about how a guide dog will fit into their future college and career-related goals. Hear from Jane Flower, Youth Outreach Specialist at GDB, and Richard Rueda, Assistant Director at APH CareerConnect, about the impact of these programs and the need for career readiness programs like it in the blindness community. Applications for the 2024 program are due by April 1, 2024 and space is limited, so sign up today at guidedogs.com/youth-programs

In this episode, Theresa sits down with GDB Director of Orientation & Mobility Services, Marc Gillard, to talk about the importance of our Orientation and Immersion Program in helping clients reach their independent travel goals.

This week we welcome, Dr. Sarah-Elizabeth Byosiere, GDB's Director of Canine Research, to discuss how her team's work is working to change the lives of our dogs and the people who love them.

Welcome back for Part Two of our interview with actor, advocate, and GDB client Aria Mia Loberti. Hear about what it was like behind the scenes on the set of Netflix's "All The Light We Cannot See," and how Aria prepared for her breakout role as Marie-Laure LeBlanc. WARNING: This episode contains SPOILERS! You can watch the whole series, streaming now on Netflix. Don't say we didn't warn you!

Meet Aria Mia Loberti, an American actress, writer, human rights advocate, Fulbright recipient, and GDB client who will play the lead role in the upcoming Netflix adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE. Aria sat down with host Theresa Stern to talk about her experience living the guide dog lifestyle and her partnership with her guide dog, Ingrid. For show notes and details, please visit guidedogs.com/podcast

Meet GDB client Kym Dekeyrel. Kym sat down with Theresa to talk about facing challenges head-on with and without her recently retired guide dog. As a mom and wife, as well as a competitive and highly-ranked CrossFit athlete, Kym shares where she finds inspiration to take on some of her hardest challenges. Including yard duty at her kids' school.

In this episode, we to Dr. Belo Miguel Cipriani about his work as a digital inclusion strategist, author, and teacher, and why he chose the guide dog lifestyle.

Meet Paralympian, JEDI advocate, counselor, husband, father, and GDB community member, Ness Murby. We'll hear about how he is navigating family life while working to create inclusive spaces for elite athletes ahead of the Paris 2024 games and how his guide dogs have been part of his journeys every step of the way.

GDB Medical Director, Dr. Kate Kuzminski, tells us how we can prepare ourselves and our service dog for an emergency. She gives us tips on how to prepare a "Go Bag" and some specific items that guide dog handlers might want to consider to ensure that they are prepared.

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.

Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) and the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) have announced the findings of The Role of Guide Dogs in 2022 and Beyond, a joint, two-year research study to examine the long-term outlook for guide dog use in the United States and Canada. This week Theresa sits down with Dr. Arielle Silverman to discuss the findings and next steps.

You asked! This week, on Central Bark, we answer some of your frequently asked questions about Guide Dogs for the Blind and our guide dog programs. Join host Theresa Stern and GDB Outreach Specialist, Jake Koch as they sit down to answer listener and follower questions.

This week on Central Bark, Theresa sits down with first time guide dog handler, Brooke Coelho. Brooke shares her experience training with her guide dog, what it was like to bring him home to a house full of kids and pet dogs, and how their partnership has opened up new opportunities for her, like going back to school.

We're talking all things guide dog travel with GDB client, Kate Hano! Kate has made a career of accessible and inclusive travel, and she's sharing some of her favorite tips and advise on how to make the most of traveling with a guide dog.

Meet Paul Castle, a visual artist, digital influencer, and new guide dog handler! Theresa sits down to talk with Paul about his career, life with his husband and new guide dog, and his collaboration with GDB on our limited edition Guide with Pride designs. Links to the Guide with Pride line, show notes, and transcripts are available now at guidedogs.com/podcast.

In this episode, Theresa is joined by GDB client and Alumni Board member, Melba Vélez-Ortiz. Melba talks about growing up in Puerto Rico, her passion for her career as a professor, and the transformative process of overcoming her fear of dogs and learning to communicate in new ways.

Part two of our special two-part episode! Jenna Bullis, the manager of GDB's world-renowned guide dog breeding program, tells us more about how client preferences impact breeding decisions and GDB's collaboration efforts with guide dog schools in the US and abroad. For show notes and transcripts, visit guidedogs.com/podcast

Each year, approximately 800 puppies are welcomed into the world at Guide Dogs for the Blind. In this special two-part episode, Theresa sits down with Jenna Bullis, the manager of GDB's world-renowned guide dog breeding program. Learn all about what makes a guide dog at the DNA level and the intricacies of managing the breeding population of dogs. Show notes and transcripts are available at guidedogs.com/podcast.

Have you ever wondered what goes into finding the perfect dog for our clients? Or how we train dogs to work in such varied and unique environments? This week, Qualified Guide Dog Mobility Instructor, Joey Foat, sits down with Theresa to talk about the science and the art of the matching process and customized training opportunities for GDB clients. Show notes and transcripts are available at guidedogs.com/podcast.

April is National Volunteer Month and here at Guide Dogs for the Blind, we could not do what we do without the support and the dedication of our amazing volunteers. In the last 80 years, volunteers have given more than 1,000,000 hours of their time to support our life-changing mission. This week, Theresa interviews our Volunteer Engagement Manager, Jen Bernstein about the community of volunteers that make our work possible. For more information about volunteering with Guide Dogs for the Blind, visit guidedogs.com/volunteer. For transcripts and show notes for this episode, visit guidedogs.com/podcast.

This week we're turning the microphone over to two members of the GDB community who have carved out a niche for themselves as advocates and educators on the social media platform, Tik Tok. Hear from Gabriella Drago and Ava Basso about what it's like to have a forum to change how the world sees people who are blind or visually impaired and how their guide dogs have been part of the journey. To learn more about Guide Dogs for the Blind, visit guidedogs.com. Show notes and transcripts are available at guidedogs.com/podcast.

Our dogs and puppies receive top-notch care from a team of full-time veterinarians and technicians, supported by outside specialists and volunteers. Our veterinary staff is there for the dogs throughout their lives, and are available by phone 24 hours a day for emergencies. From the time they are puppies receiving vaccinations, until they are working guide dogs in the field, our veterinarians ensure their continued health. Theresa sits down with Dr. Alex Philippine to talk about our industry-leading veterinary programs, our Veterinary Financial Assistance Program and what it's like to be a veterinarian to working guide dogs. To learn more about our veterinary programs, how you can join our veterinary team and support our efforts, visit guidedogs.com. For show notes and transcripts of this episode, visit guidedogs.com/podcast today.

Learn all about the amazing GDB Puppy Raising program on this episode of Central Bark. Our guests, Alex Gregory and Mary Clarke, will answer all of the most common questions that we hear about raising a puppy for GDB. To learn more about becoming a puppy raising volunteer with Guide Dogs for the Blind, visit guidedogs.com/puppy today. Transcripts and show notes are available at guidedogs.com/podcast.

Theresa sits down with GDB grad and board member Amit Ahuja to discuss the transformative process of working with a guide dog. They also discuss the connection between his field of research and GDB's vision of creating a more inclusive world. For more information about our programs for people who are blind or visually impaired, visit guidedogs.com today. Transcripts and show notes are available at guidedogs.com/podcast.

We are so excited to have GDB President and CEO, Christine Benninger, on the podcast. Chris and Theresa talk about GDB's 80th Anniversary, the "secret sauce" of our organization, puppies, and all things GDB. For more information on the history of our organization and how you can support the future of our mission, visit guidedogs.com. Transcripts and show notes are available at guidedogs.com/podcast.

Today we welcome GDB Youth Outreach Specialist, Jane Flower, onto the podcast to talk about our virtual youth programs, Camp GDB and our amazing K9 Buddy program. For more information on our FREE programs for youth who are blind or visually impaired, visit guidedogs.com. Transcripts and show notes are available at guidedogs.com/podcast.

Meet our host, Theresa Stern, as she shares the stories and conversations that make Guide Dogs for the Blind's life-changing mission so unique. Tune in every other week for new stories and amazing guests. We'll make sure that whether you're listening during your morning walk with the dog, in your car, or at your desk, there will be something for everyone.