Marie Brinas and her guide dog Charles: Walking through the pathways of life
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Marie Brinas and her guide dog Charles along with Debra Hill and Judy Kirby, shared information with the Friends and Family Day community event.
We were proud to represent the American Council of the Blind of Virginia, ACBVA, and join the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired in their mission of providing training in the skills of blindness and, above all, promoting the belief that blindness is neither a barrier to employment nor to living a full and meaningful life. To read more about the event, click here.
D is for Debra Hill
M is for Marie Brinas
I am delighted to share my conversation with Marie Brinas about her loyal guide dog, Charles who has become her steadfast partner. This interview not only highlights the unique bond between a guide dog and their partner, but also celebrates resilience, trust, and the profound ways in which animals enhance our lives.
Marie’s story is one of courage, adaptability, and a testament to the power of teamwork. Charles isn’t just a guide dog; he’s a symbol of empowerment and a reminder of how connection and support can help overcome life’s challenges.
Read more about Marie and her journey, her day-to-day experiences with Charles, and the beautiful lessons they’ve taught each other along the way.
Marie Brinas and her guide dog Charles: Walking through the pathways of life
D: Can you tell us more about your vision loss journey and how your guide dog has impacted your day-to-day life?
M: Sure, my vision journey started in August of 1991. I used to babysit two children on the weekend that I met in Germany. The family was military and moved here to Virginia. I took a nap and after the parents came home, I woke up with this blurry spot in my left eye. I didn’t know what it was. I even tried rinsing it out with water. I was walking with the mother and the kids trying to blink it away. Finally, after a couple of weeks of that, I told my mom something was going on in my left eye. It was revealed that I was visually impaired and the same thing happened with the right eye around October 1992. I became totally blind in 1994.
While the loss of vision impacted me, my balance was also affected due to Multiple Sclerosis and Lupus. I wanted to find a guide dog who could not only help me with vision loss but also aid me with my balance issues. The Guiding Eyes for the Blind found the perfect dog for me and I got Charles in February 2023. He is my special yellow lab. When I first met him he put his head in my lap and we bonded. I fell in love with him right away. Well, he did the same with me.
D: As a young adult, what was your life like as you pursued your educational and career goals as a person with low vision?
M: Due to health issues, my educational and career goals were short-lived. However, I gained a lot of knowledge about accessibility tools and resources from the Department for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Their Court Debt Collection Program led me to get a job through the Virginia Department of Taxation, where I worked for five years. I applied for a promotion and got it. In March 2000, I retired on disability and moved back to Northern Virginia to be closer to family.
D: Regarding mobility, I’m assuming you used the white cane until you received your guide dog?
M: I used the white cane which is a great help with obstacles and changes in the terrain. However, it does not provide a lot of balance support. I started using a regular support cane that helps with balance but doesn’t provide great security with obstacles along the way. Now, Charles is on my left side, and I use a support cane on my right side. I heard my mom comment to one of her friends at a church function that my posture is much better when I walk with Charles. Maybe I feel more confident when I’m walking with him.
D: What kind of training did you and Charles go through together?
M: Six months before, Charles was brought to me to make sure he was the right dog for me. Before receiving Charles, they arranged for us to have our first meeting. Together we did home training which means they bring the dog to you and train in your home and home area. That was the day we bonded. I wanted to do residential training at the school in New York but because of my dialysis, they couldn’t. We did two weeks straight every day, going out at least twice, sometimes three times a day. We went to the malls, Walmart, and a lot of restaurants which was always fun.
D: So, when they have residential training, it sounds like they wanted to make sure you experience the guide dog in different environments, like stores and restaurants.
M: Yes, and that’s called “Home training”. The goal is to familiarize you and your dog with the environment where you live.
D: Did you find any aspects of training more challenging than you expected?
M: My worry was my health and that I wouldn’t do as well, but then I started getting it. I was pleasantly surprised that I did as well as I did.
D: How long did it take for you and Charles to tune into each other?
M: It didn’t take long at all because we got to know each other during training. The trainer would tell me that Charles was looking back at me to reassure himself that I was ok. I thought that was really sweet. I had to reassure him too. It’s kind of interesting how the dog shows concern.
D: Are there any specific commands or cues unique to you and Charles?
M: I say the general command “Forward” and that means he has to go straight. When he wants to sniff this is or that you have to keep reminding him like, “Charles forward” and then he gets back to working and continues to go straight.
If I want him to turn or curbs are coming up, I have to say, “Forward to the curb” and he knows to stop at the curb and cutouts. When he misses I do it over, that way, he knows he messed that up and has to do it again.
D: That’s amazing to have your guide dog guide you through all the variety of things you have to maneuver through.
M: People get into mishaps because they don’t listen to their dog’s cues or they ignore it. This causes them to fall or hurt themselves. All the dog can do is look at you like, “I told you so”. I had a mishap and was severely injured on the escalator. I told the trainer, and she made sure Charles avoided the escalator from now on. This is also to ensure the safety of Charles so he will not be injured as well.
D: What’s one thing you would like people to know about the experience of living with Charles that they might not know?
M: People think if I go to a new place Charles knows where to go. No, he doesn’t know where to go unless I tell him where to go. If we go to a new place both of us are kind of lost. He’s looking for me to give him directions as to where to go and then he’ll follow my cues.
Having a guide dog does not necessarily mean we know where to go now. It’s me first who knows where to go and I’m giving him direction of where to go. He’s just there to help me maneuver around obstacles. Because they’re called “guide dogs” people assume they know where they’re guiding you. You are telling them where you want to be guided too. The last thing you want is for him to dictate where you want to go when you don’t want to go there.
D: You have just enlightened me, that’s the way I thought of a guide dog before. I am so glad you explained that.
How do you manage taking care of him such as feeding, grooming, vet visits, etc.?
M: Charles is good-natured and thankfully not that difficult to take care of. I have food set up in the dining room area so each morning he can eat. If I am resting a little too much and sleeping in little, he really makes me get up. I take him out at least five times a day and walk up and down steps. I make sure the backyard is safe and do not leave him unattended.
Also, I make sure where he poop is clean. I called Poop 911, a weekly poop service. I groom him every six to eight weeks. I take him to the vet at least once a year for general check-ups and vaccinations.
D: That brings me to the question about finances. Did you have to pay to get your guide dog? How does that work?
M: You put in an application. I’m not sure how the finances work, but I did not have to pay anything. Once you put in the application and finally get over the first steps, the school comes and interviews you. A staff member from the school even brought a dog, a stuffed animal so I could practice putting on a harness. They do not bring you a real dog yet. The trainer teaches with the leash so you get a feel of what it feels like and the trainer “acts” as the dog. That is called, “Juno Walk”.
D: How old was Charles when you got him?
M: He was three years old. Someone asked before, “Why was he so old?” It was because it took a while for them to find a dog to match my gait which takes a while for someone in a special needs program. Due to COVID many of the schools were closed which delayed the process for getting a dog.
D: If you could give one piece of advice to someone looking to use a guide dog, what would it be?
M: Be prepared for what goes into it. You must take them to the vet and groomer. Make sure that you let him out to do his business at least four or five times a day. You will need stamina to go through the training. And also just all the little things that go into owning a dog. The school gives you a lot of support once the dog is dropped off and is always there to help.
D: Do you ever get together with other guide dog owners and socialize?
M: Yes, in fact, I joined a local group called, Capital Area Guide Dog Users an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind. You can join the lists and ask questions such as, how do you do this or what’s good to buy and things like that. They even went on a cruise to the Dominican Republic.
D: How did you get involved with the American Council of the Blind of Virginia?
M: I joined the local chapter in Richmond, because, at that time, the person I was dating was going to a meeting. I started participating in the local chapter in Richmond and got hooked. I enjoyed it so much that when I moved back to Northern Virginia, I continued my participation with The American Council of the Blind of Virginia, or ACBVA by joining the local chapter there.
I have held several positions such as: President of the Northern Virginia chapter, President of the State Affiliate ACBVA or The American Council of the Blind of Virginia, Treasurer, and Secretary of both the Northern Virginia chapter and ACBVA.
D: Do you have any plans for you and Charles to celebrate the holidays?
M: There is an upcoming Christmas party. I will be dressed as an elf and Charles will have on a Santa hat, and a red Christmas collar with jingle bells on it.
D: I wish you and Charles a very Merry Christmas!
M: Charles and I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas as well!
Debra Hill
Debra Hill is an independent inspirational singer, author, songwriter, and writer. As a blind performer, she adds a personal story of God’s faithfulness. Her life exemplifies that Christ’s power will work to lift all regardless of circumstances.
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