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The average Guide Dog works about six to eight years, although some retire after only a few months and some work for ten years or more. Retirement can be a difficult and emotional decision for the dog’s partner, and might be for old age, physical problems, behaviors, unsafe guide work, or the death or physical condition of the partner. Many graduates seek advice from the trainers and vet clinic at GDB to help know when the time has come. When a Guide finishes its career, its partner has first right of refusal to keep it or place it with friends or family. If the guide user does not have a home for the dog, Guide Dogs contacts the puppy raisers to see if they want the dog back. (That’s why it’s important to make sure GDB has your current address and phone, even if you discontinue raising!) If not, GDB places the dog in a loving home for retirement. In any event, the raiser receives a letter with reasons for the dog’s retirement and where it will be living if it has been placed by its partner.

Have Paws Will Travel puppy club has been around long enough that retiring guides are becoming common as our dogs in the field age. Unfortunately, we have lost touch with many of our former raisers, and our information on our alumna's retirements is incomplete. If you know of an HPWT Guide's or breeder's retirement, now or in the past, let us know how long they worked, where they live, and any other interesting information so we can add them to this page. If you have a good photo of a retired dog, please consider sharing that with us as well.

Have Paws Will Travel Retired Guides
ANGEL Co-raised by Alecia and DeLynn Newberg, Angel graduated as a working guide in 1996 and was retired in 2001. She returned to her puppy raisers where she helps co-raise a new generation of Guide Dog pups.		ANNALEE Annalee, a female black lab raised by Carmen Moyer, graduated as a working guide in August in 1995, but was returned a month later by her partner. After two months more training, Annalee graduated again in November 1995. The second time was a perfect match; Annalee retired in spring 2003 due to age and condition after an eight year career.

ARLIN Alrin was a male, black lab co-raised by Bob & Shirley Davis. He graduated in 2000 and was retired in 2005. He will enjoy retirement in a home of his blind partner's choosing.		B.J. B.J., a female lab-golden cross raised by Lizz Landert, retired when her partner died in March 2002. B.J. worked for five years. She and Banzai are littermates.

BANZAI Banzai is a male lab-golden cross raised by Jim and Shirley Davis. He graduated with partner Harry Martin in 1999 and worked for six years, retiring in 2005. Harry is an active advocate for the blind, and has written a book entitled What Blind People Wish Sighted People Know About Blindness. Banzai and B.J. are littermates.		BRANDO Brando, a male black lab raised by Andrea Loughry, was retired due to sound sensitivity in March 2003. After a five year career, he is now leading a life of leisure with his partner’s daughter.

DODGE Dodge was raised by Patrick Allis. He graduated as a working guide in 1999, and was retired in spring of 2004. Dodge returned home to his puppy raiser as a family pet.		GALLAGHER Gallagher, a male yellow lab raised by Kim Landert, was guide to a gentleman named Glen from his graduation in 1995 until he was diagnosed with cancer in July 2005. Together, the team were fondly known as the "G-Men," and had many wonderful adventures together. Gallagher passed away just two weeks after his diagnosis. He had a 10 year career.

HEPBURN Hepburn , a female yellow lab raised by Amy Green, graduated in 1999 as a working guide. She worked for six years and was retired in August of 2005 when her pace slowed too much for guide work. She will enjoy retirement as a friend and companion of her blind partner's mother.		ILLUSION Illusion was second generation of black labs raised by Jennifer Chrismer. Daughter of Jennifer's breeder dog Nadia, Illusion graduated as a working guide in October 1997, and retired in May 1998.

JASPER Jasper, a male golden retriever raised by Andrea Loughry, Graduated in April 2003, only to retire two months later when working life proved too stressful for him. Jasper is enjoying his retirement as a co-puppy raiser with Andrea and family!		LEDGER A male yellow lab raised by Carmen Moyer, Ledger was retired in 2000 for health problems after a two year career.

NILES Niles, a male yellow lab, graduated in 2002 and worked for five years before being retired in November 2007 for physical reasons. His raisers, Diana Meyer & Kathleen Holwell, were thrilled to welcome him home to Colorado as a pet and co-puppy raiser!		PENN Penn, a male lab/golden cross raised by Lizz Landert, graduated as a Guide in 1997. He was retired in August 2004 when his pace became too slow. After a seven year career, he's earned a long and happy retirement!

PRIMA A female yellow lab raised by Becky Jackson, Prima was retired in July 1995 after working for two years. She came home to Becky and her family.		PROSPER At her graduation in 1995, Andrea Loughry, Prosper's puppy raiser, bid the new team "Live Long and Prosper!" Prosper retired in 2005 after a 10 years working in the Chicago area. It was indeed a "Prosperous career!" She will spend her retirement as a lady of leisure in her partner's home.

SALSA Salsa, a female yellow lab raised by Andrea Loughry, was retired due to old age in June 2002 after a nine year career. Salsa was fondly known as “Angel Dog” by her partner. Salsa spent her retirement near her beloved partner with friends as a pet. She died in July 2005 of cancer.		TANDY Tandy was retired in May 1995 after working only nine months when her partner regained sight and no longer needed her services. The female yellow lab was placed with friends of her puppy raiser, Andrea Loughry. Tandy died of mouth cancer in 2002 at the age of ten.

TWISTER Twister is a lab/golden cross raised by Andrea and Joe Loughry. She graduated in February 2002, and was a guide two and a half years. She was retired in August 2004 for guide work issues, and is spending her retirement in Florida with friends of her partner.		WILCOX A gorgeous dark yellow lab raised by Kate Creasey, Wilcox graduated in 1996 and worked for seven years. Wilcox's retirement job is going along with his new mistress--a veterinarian--and working as a "greeter" and "therapy" dog at the office. He instinctively knows when either job would be accepted or needed. Wilcox loves his new profession!