Central Bark: A Guide Dogs for the Blind Podcast

Have you ever heard that its important to socialize your dog? What does this mean, exactly? Socialization is often used when discussing dog behavior, but what is it?! Join us as Theresa talks to Dr. Lynna Feng, GDB's Canine Research Manager, about the principals and practice of canine socialization and how it helps GDB's dogs go on to do life-changing work.

In this episode, we're answering one of your most common questions. "What happens to the dogs who don't become a guide dog or K9 Buddy?" Theresa sat down with James Dress, GDB's Dog Placement Program Manager to talk about what it means when a dog is Career Changed and how GDB ensures that all dogs find their purpose and their path.

GDB President and CEO Christine Benninger joins Theresa on the podcast for her third Annual Update. She talks about some of the biggest successes in the last year and what she is most looking forward to in 2024.

Careers & Canine Connections is back! This innovative partnership between Guide Dogs for the Blind and APH CareerConnect will once again bring young adults together to learn about how a guide dog will fit into their future college and career-related goals. Hear from Jane Flower, Youth Outreach Specialist at GDB, and Richard Rueda, Assistant Director at APH CareerConnect, about the impact of these programs and the need for career readiness programs like it in the blindness community. Applications for the 2024 program are due by April 1, 2024 and space is limited, so sign up today at guidedogs.com/youth-programs

In this episode, Theresa sits down with GDB Director of Orientation & Mobility Services, Marc Gillard, to talk about the importance of our Orientation and Immersion Program in helping clients reach their independent travel goals.

This week we welcome, Dr. Sarah-Elizabeth Byosiere, GDB's Director of Canine Research, to discuss how her team's work is working to change the lives of our dogs and the people who love them.

Welcome back for Part Two of our interview with actor, advocate, and GDB client Aria Mia Loberti. Hear about what it was like behind the scenes on the set of Netflix's "All The Light We Cannot See," and how Aria prepared for her breakout role as Marie-Laure LeBlanc. WARNING: This episode contains SPOILERS! You can watch the whole series, streaming now on Netflix. Don't say we didn't warn you!

Meet Aria Mia Loberti, an American actress, writer, human rights advocate, Fulbright recipient, and GDB client who will play the lead role in the upcoming Netflix adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE. Aria sat down with host Theresa Stern to talk about her experience living the guide dog lifestyle and her partnership with her guide dog, Ingrid. For show notes and details, please visit guidedogs.com/podcast

Meet GDB client Kym Dekeyrel. Kym sat down with Theresa to talk about facing challenges head-on with and without her recently retired guide dog. As a mom and wife, as well as a competitive and highly-ranked CrossFit athlete, Kym shares where she finds inspiration to take on some of her hardest challenges. Including yard duty at her kids' school.

In this episode, we to Dr. Belo Miguel Cipriani about his work as a digital inclusion strategist, author, and teacher, and why he chose the guide dog lifestyle.

Meet Paralympian, JEDI advocate, counselor, husband, father, and GDB community member, Ness Murby. We’ll hear about how he is navigating family life while working to create inclusive spaces for elite athletes ahead of the Paris 2024 games and how his guide dogs have been part of his journeys every step of the way.

GDB Medical Director, Dr. Kate Kuzminski, tells us how we can prepare ourselves and our service dog for an emergency. She gives us tips on how to prepare a "Go Bag" and some specific items that guide dog handlers might want to consider to ensure that they are prepared.

Meet GDB client Cheri Owen and her guide dog, Martinez. Cheri is an Air Force veteran, an athlete, and coach who talks to us about resiliency.

GDB President and CEO, Christine Benninger joins us on Central Bark for her Annual Update. What is in store for GDB in 2023? Tune in to learn more.

Meet Dr. Jason Doorish, Psychosocial Support Specialist at Guide Dogs for the Blind. Jason is a clinical expert who brings 15 years of professional experience in the mental health field to his role at GDB, and a lived experience as a guide dog handler since 2007. As part of our world-class client services team, Jason offers emotional support resources to clients in our guide dog, K9 Buddy, and Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Immersion programs, all free of charge.

We're excited to introduce you to Sara Edwards, the mother of two young adults who are part of the GDB community. Both of Sara’s children have attended Camp GDB and her oldest has gone on to receive his first guide dog from GDB. We’ll talk about her experience as a sighted parent raising children who are visually impaired, and how Sara has advocated and championed her children’s journeys along the way.

Meet Shane Dittmar and their guide dog, Chevelle! Shane is a musician, composer, performer, educator and advocate who is working to make theater more inclusive.

Theresa sits down with GDB Youth Outreach Specialist, Jane Flower, and Richard Rueda from APH CareerConnect to discuss our upcoming collaborative project: Careers & Canine Connections. Geared toward young adults ages 18-24, this FREE week-long workshop will be equal parts fun and future-focused to help prepare attendees who are blind or visually impaired to enter the workforce with confidence and an understanding of how a guide dog might fit into that plan.

Meet Mary Thomas, an outdoor enthusiast, and GDB grad. Mary sits down with Theresa to talk about how she prepares for her hiking adventures with her guide dog, accessible outdoor spaces, and her goals to hike the Appalachian Trail in 2023. Show notes and transcripts are available at guidedogs.com/podcast.

We are excited to have award-winning filmmaker and longtime GDB friend, Dana Nachman on the podcast! Dana was part of the team that made the Pick of the Litter documentary, and the Disney docu-series by the same name, that tells the story of GDB puppies on their journey to becoming guides. We take a walk down memory lane to share some behind the scenes details about POTL and talk a bit about Dana's latest project, Dear Santa, which has a fun and exciting connection to Guide Dogs for the Blind.