Client Corner: Chari Chauvin Talks with Nancy Richardson

Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) Client Chari Chauvin recently spoke with fellow Alum Nancy Richardson to hear how participating in two of GDB's programs gave her confidence and immense appreciation for GDB.  Chari and Nancy’s story is part of our Client Corner series where clients interview one another about their lived experiences.  

From Grief to Comfort: Meet Nancy and Apollo
By Chari Chauvin

While some clients receive K9 Buddy’s in their childhood and go on to apply for a guide dog, Nancy Richardson from Ventura, California flipped that script, receiving her K9 Buddy Apollo, after years of working with two guide dogs. Nancy explains, “My needs for a guide dog changed, but my desire to have a dog by my side has not.”

Nancy’s K9 Buddy journey began with the profound grief she experienced when her eight-year-old pet Golden Retriever Cody died suddenly from cancer.  “I was just devastated.  I really struggled.”  A short time after Cody’s death, Nancy called GDB to ask about the potential to adopt a career changed Golden Retriever. She spoke with Lucy Waite, field service manager for Southern California, who told Nancy about the K9 Buddy program.  K9 Buddies are select dogs not suited to become guides but who become pets and loving companions for people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired.  

Lucy believed Nancy to be a wonderful K9 Buddy candidate and referred her to K9 Buddy Program Manager Kelsey Gilbert. Kelsey encouraged Nancy to apply, explaining that the process was like applying for a guide dog. She would have a home interview, and GDB would match her with a Buddy based on her lifestyle. Kelsey also told Nancy there was no cost for a K9 Buddy, and GDB would bring the dog to her. Financial assistance for veterinary care would also be available, when needed.

In December of 2022, Nancy received her “Christmas present,” K9 Buddy Apollo, a Golden Lab cross. The two participated in GDB’s graduation, which was the first time that K9 Buddy teams were included in the ceremony.  

Nancy says Apollo looks more like a yellow Lab than Golden Retriever, but his personality is a good mix of the two breeds. “Apollo is loving and social, silly, and playful. He loves to roll around on his back with a squeaky toy in his mouth! Apollo gives me that wonderful relationship with a loving animal, that bond, that interaction.”  
While Nancy still misses having a guide dog out in front leading and guiding her, she says Apollo has really helped direct her focus away from grieving her pet dog. “Apollo is so affectionate, snuggly, and very comforting.”

Nancy, a retired travel agent, has a very active lifestyle that includes walking, yoga, general fitness, and travel to Hawaii.  Her main passion in life is horseback riding, which she’s been doing since the age of ten. She loves to trail ride as often as she can and continues to learn dressage, a form of horse riding that involves a series of predetermined precise movements.  When asked if Apollo has met her horses, Nancy revealed “Oh yes, and he was very calm. When GDB was considering our match, they brought Apollo to a farm with several horses to assess his reaction. He handled it beautifully and even touched noses with the horses!” 

Apollo also has three “siblings,” two cats he loves and kisses, and an older Cocker Spaniel. While Nancy enjoys the great outdoors, she also loves the great indoors while cheering on her beloved LA Lakers!

Thinking back on her time as a guide dog handler, Nancy expresses that working with a guide dog gave her “…so much confidence in myself, much more than when I traveled using only a white cane.” 

And she says she always received wonderful responses while out in public working with each of her guide dogs. “People always notice the dogs and want to ask about them, and these interactions are all really positive. These dogs help forge connections with others.”

Nancy ended our conversation expressing her deep appreciation for GDB now, more than ever. “All the dogs who come out of GDB programs are rockstars in their training and temperaments and in the work they do.  We handlers are just the backup band!”  

To pay her gratitude forward, Nancy supports GDB through recurring monthly donations and encourages others to do the same.  

Learn about our monthly giving program.

Learn more about our guide dog and K9 Buddy programs.