Puppy Love: Sue Bowmaster shares why she loves her guide dogs
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While we’re all celebrating love, don’t forget to appreciate the animals in your life. Every day, guide dogs bring love and care to the service of people who are blind or have low vision. This special interaction between people and these magnificent dogs who are trained to help maneuver up and down steps, avoid obstacles, and arrive safely to their handler’s destination.
Read my blog about Sue Bowmaster, and her loving experience with seven guide dogs.
D is for Debra and S is for Susan
Puppy Love: Sue Bowmaster shares why she loves her guide dogs
D: I’m excited to talk with you today. Can you share your journey of living with blindness and how it impacts your daily life?
S: My eye condition occurred when I was an infant, caused by oxygen deficiency in the optic nerves. Historically, this condition was found during World War 2 with babies in incubators. By the age of seven, I had completely lost my sight. Blindness has impacted every aspect of my life from my educational choices to my career aspirations.
D: Since you were blind at such an early age, how did you navigate through your social, educational, and professional life?
S: I attended a school for the blind through the eighth grade and then attended public high school. In college, I studied languages and it happened to be something that I was very good at. When I graduated from Georgetown and my major was in Spanish, I wanted to go into translating or interpreting in South and Central America. After graduation, I worked for two years with the Peace Corps in Central America, Honduras, and Costa Rica.
When I returned to the States, I started out in government in a three-year management intern program. I have had a wonderful career in the Department of Labor, beginning with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and moving on to the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP). I am now retired and spend most of my time at volunteering organizations such as the American Council of the Blind of Virginia (ACBVA).
D: That’s great, as a fellow board member I am honored to work with you at ACBVA. You’ve accomplished so much as a blind person. You have shared that you could not have done it without the help of the seven guide dogs who have been in your life for over 57 years. How did you come to get a guide dog?
S: I grew up with the dogs in my family. When I was young, blind girls were not taught mobility instructions, such as using the white cane. I never liked using the cane anyway and much preferred to have a guide dog. When I graduated from high school, the first thing I did was get my first guide dog from The Seeing Eye.
D: Tell me about your experience with your first guide dog.
S: My first dog was a German Shepherd named Taci. I was still living at home with my parents, Taci and I walked together through the quiet neighborhood. The problem with Taci was, she was very protective of me. If someone in the room crossed their legs, cleared their throats, or coughed, she would bark defensively. One day, she snapped at me when I tried to remove her from her bed. Seeing Eye agreed this dog was not the best fit for me.
D: I’m sorry that happened with your first guide dog, but that didn’t stop you from trying again.
S: Right, the summer after my freshman year, I immediately went back to Seeing Eye to get another dog. It was very difficult because I had envisioned being very independent. I was disappointed at first at Georgetown because they did not allow guide dogs at school. Eventually, I got special permission from the Dean to have a guide dog which enabled me to walk from class to class, to and from my dorm, and all around campus.
D: I’m happy that your first experience led to at least six service dogs. As you stated, you went from college to have a wonderful career in government and are now retired. Over the years, you’ve had lots of great memories with your supportive animal companions.
S: Yes, I had each dog for an average of 10 years. While they were all unique, what they have in common is that they selflessly strive to serve and do what they were trained to do even when they are hurt, sick, or in pain themselves. My last dog, Willow, was such a sweetie. She was a wonderful support to me through my retirement and during the early years of COVID-19. Unfortunately, she became very ill and I had to take her to the vet to peacefully pass.
D: Let’s back up and have you tell more about the process you went through to be matched with your dogs, and what was that like?
S: Well, the matching process is a mystery to me. At Seeing Eye, they have 58 characteristics that they look at to match a person with the guide dogs which may include walking, speed, strength, and home environment. My first dog Taci, they said if I lived in a house out in the suburbs or in the country and was home by myself all day, she would have been the perfect dog. But she just was not right for an active environment and they considered that.
Another dog that turned out to be perfect for me was Chauncey, my third dog, a male black Labrador retriever. Definitely an Alpha dog. When we would walk through the subway stations, he had his head up, chest out and everybody got out of our way. He was very friendly, not intimidating, and magnificent for an active environment.
D: Did you get specific training on how to work with a service dog before bringing one to your home?
S: At Seeing Eye, you get extensive training along increasingly difficult routes, as well as in caring for the dogs, and learning to trust each other as a team. I spent about three and a half weeks at Seeing Eye with a trainer who came down to work with me in my neighborhood.
D: Guide dogs that I’ve encountered seem to be very well trained. Why do I imagine guide dogs are all business?
S: Yes, when they are harnessed they are “working guides” and they take their role to guide very seriously. They are very focused but there are times when I have allowed people to pet my dog and play when she is free to just be on the leash. One funny story is about Napolean, my yellow mellow lab, who actually allowed a six-year-old child to sit on his back. Even though they tolerate being around people, you can’t allow them to become too distracted.
D: What were some of your biggest daily challenges and how did your guide dog help you overcome them?
S: One of my challenges would be for my dog to know when to follow someone or not. For example, when I asked a person to give directions, Willow started to follow her right into a stream of traffic. I had to correct her, which was difficult. It is a balancing act for them to learn when to follow someone or not. Also, guide dogs can not alert you to obstacles that are over your head. This can sometimes lead to unexpected and painful surprises.
D: Thinking about your guide dogs, was there a moment when they surprised you with intelligence or initiative?
S: I found that my dogs really got to know my personality and the things I like. They were always good at guiding me to my favorite eating places. When I went out with friends, we always stopped to enjoy great food. My dogs were very familiar with all the places I loved to go. Additionally, I love to sleep in late in the morning. My dogs learned this and would let me sleep in even if it was past the time they would usually first get let out in the morning.
D: I’ve heard about some unfortunate instances of people who may have felt discriminated against because they had a guide dog. Have you ever encountered any accessibility issues of this type with your guide dogs?
S: Yes, in Spain, they gave me a special permit certificate from the government with a seal on it that said I would be allowed to use my guide dog. Even with this permission, I was restricted from using the trolley, going into the racetrack, some restaurants, and the subway with my guide.
In America, the Americans with Disabilities Act has helped public places like restaurants, public buildings, and transportation agencies be more accessible for people with guide dogs. Even with all of the laws and awareness, people with guide dogs will still experience discrimination from transportation companies like Uber.
D: What advice would you give to someone considering getting their own guide dog?
S: The same advice that I hear from the different guide dog schools. The first thing they say is to consider: Do you want the added inconvenience of having a dog? There were lots of times when I was on a business trip or at conventions with people and they were all going to go out to dinner. However, I couldn’t go because I had to feed and walk my dog. The care is constant, the feeding, the exercising, the grooming, not to mention cleaning up accidents. Are you ready for that?
Also, for people who may have allergies or don’t want to work with an animal, there is a new technology called Glide which almost feels like walking with a guide dog. I’ve already placed my order for my device to come in when retail purchasing opens in Fall 2025.
D: Are you planning to get another guide dog?
S: As I have developed some mobility restraints, I may not have the mobility and stamina to walk the dog. I have recently applied for a new dog and am waiting with great hopes that I will soon be united with another marvelous service dog. For me, just being able to get around obstacles and not having to make a conscious decision about maneuvering around them was wonderful.
D: Do you have any projects coming up?
S: I am now a member of the Access Advisory Committee, and will help monitor and advise on transportation issues that will affect and impact people with disabilities. My other project would be really buckling down and exercising to improve my stamina for either another dog or the Glide when it is available.
I’m very excited about a new program I’ve joined: Encore Creativity. It is an organization that promotes singing in both small groups and larger choral settings and provides an opportunity for individuals 55 and older to sing together, take learning workshops, and get involved in and perform for the community.
D: I certainly hope you are successful in your efforts, considering how much impact and benefit these dogs have had on your life.
D: How can people reach you?
S: My email is s.bowmaster@cox.net
Meet Susan Bowmaster
Sue Bowmaster is a board member of the American Council of the Blind of Virginia (ACBVA). She is also a member of the Access Advisory Committee and will help monitor and advise on transportation issues that will affect and impact people with disabilities.
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.
A special thanks to Elizabeth Baber and Dr. Shakira for their hard work.
Join the American Council of the Blind of Virginia’s Email List
As a member of ACBVA, I encourage you to join our email list to be a part of a vibrant community of visually impaired persons, attend informative monthly online meetings, and learn more about important accessible resources.
For those interested in the benefits of the American Council of the Blind of Virginia (ACBVA) organization, you can also become a member, click the link below!
