04/10/2026
From gotcha day to graduation day!
Today we want to shine a light and give our biggest thanks along with a HUGE congratulations to Kate and her supportive family.
Kate spent her Junior year and part of her senior raising Vander, a Yellow Labrador Retriever. Vander was raised to one day become a guide for a person who is blind or visually impaired, and that’s exactly what he did!
16 months of time, love, and dedication have changed someone’s world for the better. Guide Dogs can make the world more inclusive to people who are blind or visually impaired. They can help their handler be more independent and gain more confidence. They can also provide great amounts of companionship.
This weekend Kate and the Helvin family got to see the “why” of puppy raising. Because Kate said “yes” to this meaningful journey she has impacted someone’s life in an incredible way.
This achievement itself is beyond words and to do it along side school work for over a year is just exceptional!
Congratulations to Vander and his handler, Kate, and the Helvin family. What a gift!!
Pd
1/ raiser Kate sits on a concrete bench in front of a wooden wall that reads “Guide Dogs for the Blind.” On her lap sits a very light colored yellow lab puppy (Vander).
2/ Puppy raiser Kate is pictured with her Yellow Lab puppy in training Vander. Kathryn is wearing a navy blue top with jeans and kneels down to give Vander a hug as he sits in his vest and black gentle leader. They are both looking at the camera with green grass in the background.
3/ Kate and Vander walk away from the camera on a rainy day in a shopping center.
4/ Kate and Vander are pictured where their journey started. In front of the wooden wall that reads “Guide Dogs for the Blind.” It’s recall day on the California Campus!
5/ Vander sits proudly in his harness front and center. Seated on the left his Handler Leanne and on the right is Raiser Kate. Standing behind is Kristine Kate’s mom and co raiser. It’s gradation Day and everyone is all smiles!
