At age 72, Gilberto (Beto) carries himself with the quiet confidence of someone who has lived many lives. In his El Paso home, surrounded by the memories of a rich and varied career, he speaks with the warm cadence of … Read more
Category: Graduate Tales
Facility Dog Valoo Brings Healing and Hope to the Wichita Children’s Home
June 12, 2025When children arrive at the Wichita Children’s Home (WCH), they’re often carrying invisible wounds. Trauma, abuse, neglect, or the horrors of human trafficking. But thanks to Facility Dog Valoo, a yellow Labrador trained by Guide Dogs of America | Tender … Read more
Restoring the Spark of a Veteran
December 18, 2024Disclaimer: This article discusses military sexual trauma (MST) and its effects on veterans. The content may be triggering for some readers. If you or someone you know is struggling with MST, please consider reaching out to a mental health professional … Read more
Three Kids, One Dog, and a Ripple of Hope
December 10, 2024When Kaylie, a mother of three, began navigating life with her children: Wesley (5), Logan (10), and Lilyanne (15), all on the autism spectrum—she knew creativity and resilience would be key. Together with her husband, Scott, Kaylie developed strategies to … Read more
Guiding Light: How My Guide Dog Transformed My College Experience
June 13, 2024Ethos and I have been together for the past four years of my college experience, and we have had many instances in which he has made the experience significantly easier. The campus is divided by a golf course and the … Read more
West the Wonder Dog: Transforming Lives One Hug at a Time
May 24, 2024When West arrived in October of 2022, he immediately became a local celebrity in a sense. Anyone who met West would comment on how well-trained he is and how calm and focused his demeanor was. West immediately started visiting multiple … Read more
Onward with Rosie O’Donnell: Autism Service Dogs
February 14, 2024Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canine’s Autism service dog graduate, Rosie O’Donnell, shares her experience with the nonprofit and what autism service dogs can do, not only for the child with autism but for the entire family. Learning … Read more
Olive’s Journey: A Symphony of Hope in Autism Parenthood
December 26, 2023Greetings, When my son, Jaxx, was born, I didn’t know much about parenting, let alone raising a child with Autism. Initially, what seemed like normal baby behavior turned out to be stemming—repetitive movements or sounds. I didn’t realize at the time, … Read more
A Perfect Match: Eugene & Opal
December 21, 2023Volunteers at Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines (GDA|TLC) have a tremendous impact on people’s lives. From retirees to long-time supporters – even our very own graduates – our volunteers come from all walks of life! Meet Eugene … Read more
Rekindling Hope: A Veteran’s Journey with her Service Dog
December 12, 2023There is no greater joy than watching my son and service dog playfully chase each other around the trampoline in our backyard. Not too long ago, this was a moment I couldn’t enjoy. As a proud veteran who served our … Read more
