Guide Dog Program

Angela began her career at Leader Dog in 2020 as a dog care attendant after earning her degree in animal science from Michigan State University. From a young age, she dreamed of working with animals, and as she grew older, she also developed a strong passion for helping people. In January 2024, she began the GDMI apprenticeship, where she enjoys combining her love for dogs with empowering people to gain independence — all while continuing to learn and grow in her role.

Anu has been a longtime volunteer and puppy raiser for Leader Dogs for the Blind. Prior to joining the organization as an apprentice GDMI, she was a nonprofit program coordinator specializing in social emotional learning for youth in Detroit. In her spare time you can find her at the barn with her horses and dogs.

Beth began working at Leader Dog in 2019 as a vet tech assistant and started her GDMI apprenticeship in the fall of 2021. She is now a certified GDMI. Her first experience with Leader Dog came in 1991, when her dad, a guide dog client, received Leader Dog Remington — an event that inspired her to one day join the organization. Beth earned her degree in therapeutic recreation with a minor in American Sign Language from Central Michigan University in 2015 and later completed her studies in sign language interpretation at Oakland Community College in 2018.

Catherine is a certified senior GDMI who has been with Leader Dog since 2008. She discovered Leader Dog in high school and raised two Future Leader Dogs, which became working dogs. Catherine has a bachelor’s degree in biology from St. Norbert College and was a zookeeper before becoming an apprentice GDMI at Leader Dog. She is currently serving in the role of guide dog services coordinator, where she uses her skills, knowledge and experience to assist in all areas of the department.

Chelsea has been in accessibility positions for the last decade. Their career began as a teacher for students with visual impairments (TSVI) and certified orientation and mobility specialist (COMS) in central Ohio. Following the pandemic, Chelsea combined their love of equal access with their love of dogs and began their apprenticeship as a GDMI with Guiding Eyes for the Blind in New York. Chelsea has been with Leader Dog for one year and recently joined the DeafBlind and adaptive services team.

Christiana’s first connection with Leader Dog was in 2012 when she became a puppy raiser. As she raised her two Leader Dog puppies, her passion grew for cultivating dogs’ abilities in a way that equips people to meet their goals. Christiana volunteered with another service dog organization for six years before graduating with a health sciences degree and moving to Michigan to reconnect with Leader Dog — this time as an employee.

In 3rd grade, Danielle read a book about raising a service dog puppy. Fifteen years later, in 2017, she picked up her first Future Leader Dog, River. Five puppies after River, Danielle knew she wanted to get more involved with Leader Dog. So, after working in healthcare through the pandemic, she decided to apply for a client services coordinator position. She began working at Leader Dog in 2021 and moved over to guide dog services in 2023.

David has been with Leader Dog since 2016. He started in the dog care department and has been a GDMI since 2020. He was born and raised in Rochester, Michigan, and has been familiar with Leader Dog his whole life. The son of Spanish immigrants, he was raised bilingual and works with both Spanish- and English-speaking clients. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Oakland University.

Deana has been a GDMI for over 30 years, working at three different schools and owning a pet boarding kennel. This range of experiences has deepened her understanding of canine behavior. She has a strong background in working with puppy raisers, a role she finds deeply rewarding. Above all, Deana loves working with dog guide teams and takes satisfaction in solving challenges to help them succeed.

Ellen is a GDMI and has a Bachelor of Science in zoology from Michigan State University and a Master of Science in city and regional planning from Clemson University. Ellen started with Leader Dog in 2014. She began working in dog care, volunteering in the kennel before joining the guide dog services team.

Emily is a training team supervisor and certified GDMI. She has a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Michigan State University. She started working at Leader Dog in 2016 in the canine care department, and in 2018, she joined the training department. Emily loves working with dogs and helping people.

Emily received her bachelor’s degree in English from Central Michigan University. She is a GDMI and a certified service dog trainer. Emily has a passion for working with both people and animals, and her work at Leader Dog perfectly combines the two. Emily mostly enjoys getting to be creative and adapting our training to meet the needs of each client and dog team.

Erin was first introduced to Leader Dog while attending Michigan State University, where she was pursuing her degree in elementary education. After graduation, she spent a few years as a classroom teacher and volunteer puppy raiser before joining us as an apprentice GDMI in 2018. Erin is now a certified GDMI and training team supervisor. She also continues to volunteer as a puppy raiser.

Garry started in maintenance in 2019 then quickly moved to our fleet department managing vehicle maintenance and scheduling their use across the organization. In 2023, Garry raised his first puppy for Leader Dog and transitioned to the guide dog services team shortly afterwards. Garry is passionate about working with clients to improve their confidence and independence.

Jamie is a training team supervisor and GDMI. He has worked with Leader Dog since 2003. Over the years, he has helped hundreds of dogs and clients become safe and happy working teams and thoroughly enjoys everything related to guide dogs and training.

Jessica is a certified GDMI and field services representative for Leader Dog. Jessica holds an M.B.A. and an undergraduate degree in behavioral science. Jessica has a passion for canine sports and is a certified Canine Conditioning Fitness Coach, a Purina Certified Weight Coach and a certified A.K.C. Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.

Kate has been with Leader Dog since 2012. Currently, she’s a GDMI and the supervisor of our field team. Additionally, she oversees the DeafBlind and adaptive services program at Leader Dog. She has a master’s degree in rehabilitation and mental health counseling from the University of Iowa. Working for Leader Dog has allowed her to combine her passions for supporting both canines and humans.

Katie began her involvement with Leader Dog as a wee lass when her family raised their first Leader Dog puppy. In 2005, Katie began working at Leader Dog as a breeding stock and puppy care attendant, then as a dog care attendant. She finally moved into an apprentice GDMI position. Working as a GDMI has proved to be a job where the days are always changing, as no dog or person is the same.

Lauren has been a GDMI since 2020. She grew up with pet dogs and wanted to pursue a career connecting with people through animals. After getting a degree in animal science from Ohio State, Lauren worked with individuals with autism to develop their independence and then moved on to a veterinary clinic. While working in the vet clinic, she realized she loved discussing training with new pet owners and decided to pursue a career with guide dogs.

Mara began working at Leader Dog in 2022 as an apprentice GDMI. With a passion for nonprofit work and a bachelor’s degree in American Sign Language Interpreting Studies from Madonna University, she found her fit on the DeafBlind and Adaptive Services Team here at Leader Dog. Since 2005, Mara and her family have hosted two Leader Dog breeding moms (Sami [’18 deceased] and Yoshi [’23 retiree]), thus establishing her connection to the organization. Outside of Leader Dog, Mara enjoys time with loved ones, reading, writing, listening to music, physical activities and exploring nature. She also volunteers her time interpreting at various churches on the weekends.

Mary is a certified GDMI at Leader Dog. She has been with the organization since 2019, where she started working in our dog care department. She has a bachelor’s degree in animal behavior from Carroll University in Wisconsin but grew up in Michigan. Before coming to Leader Dog, Mary managed a dog daycare, trained pet dogs using positive reinforcement and volunteered for years at a therapeutic horseback riding facility working with many different adults and children with disabilities.

Paul is a certified GDMI and field services representative for Leader Dog. Paul started in the maintenance department in 2005 and then moved to our dog care department. After that, Paul went on to complete an apprenticeship to become a GDMI. Paul is passionate about working with clients and dogs.

In the summer of 1990, while still in college, Phil applied to join the dog care team at Leader Dog. Then, a chance encounter led to a GDMI apprenticeship, which he completed in 1994 — officially launching his career as an instructor. What began as “just a job” on the dog care team has grown into a 35-year career. Over the years, Phil has fallen in love with the work, finding inspiration in watching clients meet their dogs and then succeeding together.

Sarah is an O&M and field services representative, specializing in working with clients who are DeafBlind. She has been a GDMI at Leader Dog since 2013, has a bachelor’s degree in sign language studies from Madonna University and received a master’s degree in O&M from the University of Kentucky in 2022. Sarah also holds certifications as an American Sign Language interpreter and O&M specialist.

Stephanie has been with Leader Dog since 2020. She has a lifelong passion for helping individuals through her work with animals. Stephanie spent a year working in our canine care department but always knew guide dog services was where she wanted to be. She strives to uplift people, build confidence and help them reach their personal goals.

Sue is a field representative. She started her career at Leader Dog in dog care. Soon afterwards, Sue joined the training team as a GDMI. She’s passionate about the special relationship between clients and their dogs, so it was a natural transition to join the field team.

Sue has been with Leader Dog since 1993. What began as a temporary role in the kitchen grew into a long-term career within other areas of the organization. Sue has worked as a GDMI, GDMI instructor, team supervisor and, most recently, a senior GDMI and Fear Free certified professional. Sue has raised five puppies for Leader Dog and has a love for all animals.