Graduates

   

   Graduates

The OccuPaws Board of Directors is proud to introduce to you our graduate teams. Thank you to all who helped change the lives of these graduates. Without your support, the raising, training, and placement of these “miracle” dogs would not have been possible.
 
If you would like to apply for a Guide Dog, Visual Assistant Dog or Children’s Visual Companion Dog, please visit the Forms Page and start the application process today.
 
Guide Dog Teams – Visual Assistant Dog Teams – Children’s Visual Companion Dog Teams

Angus & Leo

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Graduates Angus & LeoGuide Dog Angus with Leo

Male Black Labrador Retriever
Graduated: May 2013
Bred by: OccuPaws’ Brood Bitch, Roxie, & Stud Services by Neverest Labs, Fox Lake, WI
Raised by: Marlette Larsen of Verona, WI
                 James & Julie Blystone of Verona, WI
  

Angus is litter-mates with Guide Dog Graduates Apple and Amber. Since their very first interview, Angus and Leo have been fast friends and a great team.

 

Graduation Video

Amber & Marc

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Graduates Amber & MarcGuide Dog Amber with Marc

Female Black Labrador Retriever
Graduated: December 2012
Bred by: OccuPaws’ Brood Bitch, Roxie, & Stud Services by Neverest Labs, Fox Lake, WI
Raised by: Mark & Barb Schultze of Cross Plains, WI
                 Desirae Pausma of Fox Lake, WI
                 Gil Schmidt of Kendall, WI
                 Mark & Amanda Bliss of Belleville, WI
                 Deanne Miller of McFarland, WI
 

Amber is litter-mates with Guide Dog Graduates Apple and Angus.  When she met Marc, it was love at first lick!  They have bonded very quickly and make a fantastic team.

Graduation Video

Meadow & Susan

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Guide Dog Meadow with SusanGuide Dog Meadow with Susan

Male Yellow Labrador Retriever
Graduated: October 2012
Donated by: Shamrock Acres, Waunakee, WI
Raised by: Kathy Lukenbach & Marci Repta of Watertown, WI
                  Dianne Hermann-Brown of Sun Prairie, WI
 

Meadow loves being part of the action, so we were thrilled when he chose Susan and her busy household with 3 children.  Meadow’s upturned nose and waggy tail turn every greeting into a happy one.

Graduation Video

Apple & Angeline

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angeline with appleGuide Dog Apple with Angeline

Female Black Labrador Retriever
Graduated: September 2012
Bred by: OccuPaws’ Brood Bitch, Roxie, & Stud Services by Neverest Labs, Fox Lake, WI
Raised by: Kristin Bonnie of Beloit, WI
                  Michael & Christine Schultze of Mazomanie, WI
 

Apple is litter-mates with Guide Dog Graduate Amber and Angus.  Apple and Angeline have definitely bonded so this will be a great team.

Graduation Video

Gordy & Michael

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photo of guide dog gordy with michaelGuide Dog Gordy with Michael

Male Yellow Labrador Retriever
Graduated: June 2012
Donated by: Shamrock Acres Kennels, Waunakee, WI
Raised by: Mark & Barb Schultze of Cross Plains, WI 

 

At his graduation ceremony, it was obvious Gordy was well loved and will have lots of hugs from Michael and his family.

Graduation Video

Linus & Jeannie

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photo of guide dog linus with jeanneGuide Dog Linus with Jeannie

Male Black Labrador Retriever
Graduated: January 2012
Donated by: Anthem Labradors, Harvard, IL
Raised by: Kurt & Kristy Handrich of Beloit, WI  
 

Linus is a sweet, gentle boy; a perfect soul-mate to his new partner. Linus will soon be learning some new service dog skills to adapt to his partner’s changing needs.

Graduation Video

Sparta & Tami

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photo of guide dog sparta with tamiGuide Dog Sparta with Tami

Male Black Labrador Retriever
Graduated: July 2011
Bred by: OccuPaws’ Brood Bitch, Roxie & Stud Services by Liberty Labradors, WI
Raised by: Kathy Lukenbach & Marcie Repta of Watertown, WI
  

Sparta is now a regular train commuter between Kenosha and Chicago, as well as a veteran on the El. Sparta is a litter-mate of Guide Dog Sonny.

Graduation Video

Sonny & Jeremiah

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photo of guide dog sonny with jeremiahGuide Dog Sonny with Jeremiah

Male Black Labrador Retriever
Graduated: July 2011
Bred by: OccuPaws’ Brood Bitch, Roxie & Stud Services by Liberty Labradors, WI
Raised by: Deb Daggett of Sun Prairie, WI
  

At graduation, Jeremiah wowed the audience with an Elvis song good enough to turn Sonny into a hound dog for just an instant! Sonny is a litter-mate of Guide Dog Sparta.

Graduation Video

Deegan & Randy

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photo of guide dog deegan with randyGuide Dog Deegan with Randy

Male Black Labrador Retriever
Graduated: March 2010
Donated by: Anthem Labradors, Harvard, IL
Raised by: Theresa Moe of Janesville, WI
  

Deegan’s name means “Black Hair” in Gaelic.  He and Randy, the mayor of Sheboygan Falls, will be doing great things in the future.

Graduation Video

Weily & Lisa

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photo of guide dog weily with lisaGuide Dog Weily with Lisa

Male Black Labrador Retriever
Graduated: October 2008
Donated by: Ryan & Jennifer Lindner of Greenwood, WI
  

With Weily’s help, Lisa can safely and confidently navigate busy downtown areas while maintaining a job and a busy family life.

Graduation Video

Gilbert & Allison

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photo of guide doggilbert with allisonGuide Dog Gilbert with Allison

Male Yellow Labrador Retriever
Graduated: August 2008
Donated by: Anthem Labradors, Harvard, IL
  

Allison and Gilbert were the first guide dog team to graduate from OccuPaws. Gilbert has given Allison the confidence and pride to safely navigate her college campus.

Timber & Sophia

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Photo of visual assistant dog timber with sophiaVisual Assistant Dog Timber with Sophia

Male Chocolate Labrador Retriever
Graduated: January 2010
Donated by: Anthem Labradors, Harvard, IL
Raised by: Kathy Lukenbach & Marci Repta of Watertown, WI
                Kurt & Kristy Handrich of Beloit, WI
  

Sophia and Timber graduated as a CVC Dog Team. However, the pair are now taking on more responsibility and working to gain more independence.  We look forward to seeing them continue to develop new skills together.

Graduation Video

Candy & Sawyer

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Photo of Children's visual companion dog Candy with SawyerCVC Dog Candy with Sawyer

Female Standard Poodle
Graduated: August 2011
Donated by: Sun-Golden Kennels, Edgerton, WI
Raised by: Ernie Champion of Beloit, WI
                Michelle Duke of Janesville, WI
                Sue Simmons of Janesville, WI
                Dietrich Gruen of Madison, WI
                James Blystone of Verona, WI
  

Candy is our first standard poodle placement.  The feel of a labrador’s coat when pet backwards was unnatural to Sawyer but when we discovered that a poodle felt just right, we knew Candy was the dog for the job.

Graduation Video

Harley & Olivia

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Photo of Children's visual companion dog Harley with OliviaCVC Dog Harley with Olivia

Male Black Labrador Retriever
Graduated: November 2010
Donated by: Anthem Labradors, Harvard, IL
Raised by: Mark & Barb Schultze of Cross Plains, WI
  

Once Harley learned that is WAS OK to get on Olivia’s bed, the pair was officially trained. Otherwise, without that critical component, Olivia would have been forced to share a dog bed with Harley in the living room, because she was NOT going to let him sleep alone!

Graduation Video

Banjo & Brooke

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Photo of Children's visual companion dog Banjo with BrookeCVC Dog Banjo with Brooke

Male Black Labrador Retriever
Graduated: September 2010
Donated by: Anthem Labradors, Harvard, IL
                  Kim Ward of Beloit, WI
Raised by: Michelle Kahl and Family of WI
                Ernie Champion of Beloit, WI
                Jeff & Lisa Arndt of Oregon, WI

 

At graduation, Brooke’s mother said that Banjo is going above and beyond the call of a CVC dog and has become Brooke’s soul-mate.

Graduation Video

Slick & Kaitlyn

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Photo of Children's visual companion dog Slick with CaitlynCVC Dog Slick with Kaitlyn

Male Black Labrador Retriever
Graduated: December 2009
Donated by: Anthem Labradors, Harvard, IL
Raised by: Mark & Barb Schultze of Cross Plains, WI
  

Pam Reich, an OccuPaws board member and Kaitlyn’s O & M teacher, suggested the match and was she ever right!  Slick decided that Kaitlyn was the perfect match for him and they are now best friends forever.

Graduation Video

Lilly & Valentino

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Photo of Children's visual companion dog Lilly with ValentinoCVC Dog Lilly with Valentino

Female Black Labrador Retriever
Graduated: August 2009
Donated by: Bob & Mary Smith of Chicago, IL
Raised by: Morga Family of Beloit, WI
                Chuck & Linda Nines of Clinton, WI  
 

Tino and Lilly are a perfect match!!  They bonded immediately and have become inseparable pals.

Bodie & Child

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CVC Dog Bodie

Male Black Labrador Retriever
Graduated: June 2009
Donated by: Anthem Labradors, Harvard, IL
  

Bodie was the first CVC Dog to graduate from OccuPaws.  Life has dramatically changed with the addition of Bodie.