Let me take a few moments to introduce myself.  I'm Karen Ann & I've lived in Upstate NY most of my life.   I've been sight impaired since birth due to Optic Nerve Hypoplasia.  I was diagnosed at age 11 with Diabetes and because I was a bratty kid who thought I knew everything I ignored my doctors' advice on managing my disease.  As a result I developed a number of complications related to Diabetes including further vision loss (Diabetic Retinopathy), kidney/bladder dysfunction and several forms of neuropathy (nerve damage) throughout my body.

By my late teens I lost a considerable amount of my functional vision and that combined with the other health issues sent me into a deep depression.  I felt lost and alone and at age 19 attempted suicide.  By the grace of God I survived, and with the support of a wonderful physician, friends, my parents and selected family I came to see that life had something to offer. 

After stumbling around with a cane for a few years (and getting it stuck in sidewalk grates umpteen times!) I decided there must be a better way to get around... and at the suggestion of my doctor I applied for my first guide dog at Guiding Eyes for the Blind in Yorktown Hts. NY.

On Valentine's Day 1985 into my life came Audrey, a sweet yellow Labrador Retriever who changed my life in countless ways.  Audrey brought to the surface all the confidence that was hidden deep inside; she opened doors for me that I never even knew existed.  Audrey was the beginning of a new life and though she has long ago passed to Heaven she will always be my heart.  

Since that time I completed a BS in Counseling/Health Ed and partial graduate studies.  Ongoing health issues and further vision loss led to my leaving graduate school and taking a new path in life.  I developed a program called On Sight With Youth in which I visit schools, youth-oriented programs, service organizations and any other place that will have me to talk about blindness and its variations... and of course, the wonders of guide dogs.

After Audrey retired I trained with a magnificent black Lab named Merlin, known by all who loved him as "Mr. Personality".  Merlin was such a wonderful boy who was taken from me far too soon; he passed away in 1998 after a short battle with throat cancer.

Then came my Gwendy girl, also a black Lab, always willing to please and never phased by anything we came across.  My "perfect" girl.  I was devastated to lose her when she was just 6 years old.  She developed a rare neuro-muscular disease and I said goodbye to my girl August 2003. 

My fourth guide was Nolte, a silly sweet Golden Retriever from The Seeing Eye in Morristown NJ.  Nolte was a superb worker and a wonderful friend and companion for 5 years, but sadly he developed several neurological issues that effected his ability to guide safely.  For both our sakes it was best to let him retire.  He lived out his years in retirement as a spoiled rotten couch potato here as the "King" of GoldiDox Grove until age 13 when he passed due to cancer in 2015.

My 5th guide was a petite little German Shepherd Dog named Karla.  Karla was a little spitfire who loved to play more then life itself.  She was the best guide dog she could be but sadly guide work didn't suit her well.  She gradually slowed to a snail's pace and it was clear she was not happy working.  I made the difficult decision to retire her after a year and a half as a team.  She retired to the wonderful family who raised her as a pup for The Seeing Eye, and sadly passed away in October 2013.. 

My sixth guide, also from The Seeing Eye, was Jingles, a silly sweet-natured Lab/Golden cross.   Jingles and I met and trained together in our home area in April 2012 and she was a wonderful guide.  She has a bubbly personality and an eagerness to work, and she greets everyone with a smile and a wagging tail, as if it's a long lost best friend she's never met!   In early 2013 I nominated Jingles in the American Humane Hero Dog Awards, and she won Hero Guide Dog 2013!  We went to Hollywood and we were presented with Jingles' award on stage by Betty White and Pauley Perrette on October 5th 2013.  It was a once in a lifetime experience that I will treasure.  Jingles retired in Autumn 2018 and is happily living out her (Lab)Golden years with her "first family", the Clarks.  Jingles will always be my hero!

My current guide is Zeke, an energetic and fun-loving Golden Retriever from The Seeing Eye.  We met and trained together in my home area in October 2018.  He's proven to be an outstanding guide, and he's extremely intelligent and willing to learn new things.  Shortly after we completed training I began scent training with Zeke, teaching him to alert to my low glucose levels.  I am hypoglycemia unaware (have no symptoms or warning when my blood sugar drops), and having a guide dog who also alerts is a blessing.  Zeke is a duel-career guy!

I'm "Mom" to a wonderful gang of Dachshunds who keep me busy and quite entertained.  Georgie is my little "dream cream" longhair, a sweet-natured soul who is truly a "mama's boy" in every sense.  He loves people but prefers being in my arms for a cuddle.  Georgie helped me achieve my dream of showing Dachshunds, and is my one and only AKC Champion.  Joanie is my little fruit loop girl, a black and cream girl who is full of spunk and sweet as could be.  Last but not least is Annie, my spunky little black and tan longhair piebald girl. She brings a ton of joy and entertainment to my life.  

Thanks again for visiting!.

Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.    
                                ~ Carl Jung