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Veterans Receive Guide Dog Companions |
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Written by Yvonne Scott
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Friday, 10 April 2009 |
 Sunday, April 5, 2009
Guide Dogs of the Desert Facility
Whitewater, California
Story and photos by Yvonne Scott
To see more Yvonne Scott photos of this event, click here.
To see Pat Krause photos of this event, click here.
A special group of seven veterans who served our country took on a new-found freedom Sunday, April 5, at the Guide Dogs of the Desert facility in Whitewater, Calif. These heroes were presented with amazing dogs specially trained to assist these wounded veterans.
 The opening remarks from a veteran addressing these graduates were spoken like a true solider on the front lines.
"We are here to celebrate the missions we set out to do. We have met the enemy and we are victorious as you go home please know Guide Dogs of The Desert have your back, God's speed be with you.”
Paula Abdul also presented these veterans with a plaque and flags flown over the nation’s Capitol from Congresswomen Mary Bono Mack.
This graduation will be the first of many more veterans graduating at the Guide Dogs of the Desert Whitewater facility just north of Palm Springs, Calif. The graduates were placed in training 28 days before this graduation and walked more than 100 miles throughout the Coachella Valley with their canine partners in preparation for this special day.
 I had the privilege to interview Army Master Sgt. Dexter Durrante who is stationed at Fort Brag, N.C. Durrante, along with his male black and brindle Labrador Retriever Shep who was raised by the Beck family of North Pole, Alaska, were quite a stunning pair. I was touched by the way this strong soldier sees his new companion Shep. Dexter explained what his guide dog’s name means (a Good Shepherd).
“Shep is my shepherd sent to watch over me and I am his flock.”
Durrante lost his sight while on active duty (serving in both the Persian Gulf War and Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan); the last thing he remembers was the extreme heat from the explosion coming toward him before the loss of his sight. It was heartfelt to listen as he described his life before an artillery blast changed his robbed him of his sight.
In speaking to the crowd, Durrante commented, "The day I lost my sight was my born again day! I ask God 'why me?' As time goes by, I find out why me. I was a little cocky, and it humbled me. I no longer can just by your looks, decide if I like you or not. I have to listen to you now to know that. It was a big step to make it this far. This is making a difference in my life. I now have Shep to depend on. It’s best to walk along side a friend than to walk alone."
 Army Sgt. Douglas Cereghin Active with Zihn, a male Golden Retriever that was raised by the Maureen family of Moreno Valley, graduated also. Cereghin was touched as he spoke, ”I lost my sight but not my vision. I wondered how I would go about the rest of my life. This experience now has my cup full!"
Army Spc. David Fisher (Ret.) was there with his male Golden Retriever Eugene who was raised by the Colt-Masters family in Imperial, Calif. Colt-Master said of raising a dog, ”People ask me how could I do this,” in reply to many not understanding how you can let this amazing animal leave your life. There was not a dry eye in the house, as she replied, ”How could you not?”
Army Sgt. Timothy Richardson attended with his male black Labrador Retriever-Poodle cross Waldo. Waldo was raised by Charmaine Sanchez of Yucaipa, Calif. Sanchez joked about Waldo being a handful with tears of pride in her eyes, reminiscing of his raising always asking "Where’s Waldo?"
Marine Corps Master Sgt. Ruth Schumaker was there with her female Labrador Retriever-Golden Retriever cross Pearl. The Deans family of Running Springs, Calif, raised Pearl. The crowd roared when Schumaker stated, “Pearl is still a teenager, yet believe it or not, we can still communicate.”
Army Pfc. Dennis Olp was in attendance with his black male Labrador Retriever Cleveland. Cleveland, born July 7, 2006, was raised by the Robertson family of Simi Valley, Calif. Olp served in the Persian Gulf War, and is a sighted paraplegic. Cleveland will serve as a wheelchair service dog and a part of the Heroes Helping Heroes therapy program. Olp and Cleveland will visit VA hospitals. Cleveland was named in honor of the crew of the USS Cleveland, LPD-7, who volunteered their time with Guide Dogs of the Desert.
 Army Cpl. William English was given a white cane in lieu of a dog. English will be learning Orientation and Mobility, including life skills training for the blind from a state certified O&M specialist, which is a prerequisite to getting a guide dog.
One man, Bud Maynard, had a vision that sparked this chapter into motion, so that a few special veterans would receive accommodations, their very own hero about to report for a duty of a lifetime.
To see more Yvonne Scott photos of this event, click here.
To see Pat Krause photos of this event, click here.
To learn more about Guide Dogs of the Desert, click here.
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