Congratulations to Gina Paolini, one of our newest qualified Guide Dog Mobility Instructors. Gina got her start in animal training during college; she has a bachelor degree in Marine Science from Cal State Monterey Bay. "I had a long-term internship at a small marine mammal facility affiliated with Moss Landing Marine Laboratories," she said. "I worked there for 8 years training California sea lions. In 2009 I moved to San Diego where I worked for the US Navy Marine Mammal Program training sea lions and dolphins on mine detection and force protection projects." Gina eventually wanted to return to the San Francisco Bay Area where she grew up and has family, so looked into coming to work at Guide Dogs for the Blind. "I had always been interested in pursuing a job working with service animals," Gina said. "I had a friend who had recently started working at GDB and after talking with her about the organization I was sold!" Her favorite part of the job is "the opportunity to bond with the dogs during training and then getting to be there when the clients meet their new guides for the first time," she said. "I love being part of a brand new relationship." Gina currently lives in El Sobrante, Calif., with her pet cattle dog mix, Sully. Her hobbies include reading, cooking and baking, hiking and camping, scuba diving and spending time at the ocean, traveling (especially to visit all of the national parks), finding quaint coffee shops, and spending time with her family and friends.
Interested in joining the GDB team? Check out the Careers section of our website to learn more!
