Southeastern Guide Dogs: Meet a Trainer

Karen Mersereau didn’t even have a dog until she was 28 years old, but that first dog started her on the path that would eventually lead her to Southeastern Guide Dogs.

 What got you interested in dog training?

I got involved in search and rescue and joined a volunteer group that was deployed by law enforcement for searches in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina and West Virginia. I was certified in wilderness, cadaver and water searches.  But after several years of being on call 24/7, I decided that it was time to find some other volunteer thing to do with dogs.  I stumbled (not literally) over a couple of puppy raisers from Guiding Eyes for the Blind and decided to try puppy raising.

 So that was how you began working with guide dogs?

Yes, I raised four dogs for GEB in New York and became area coordinator of my puppy raising region.  One day two trainers from GEB came to talk to our puppy group about guide dog training.  I knew instantly and without question that I wanted to be a guide dog trainer.

 How did you come to Southeastern Guide Dogs?

It took me another five years to get the courage up to leave my 18-year career. It was a very nice paycheck, and the place I had lived my entire life, so it wasn’t an easy decision to make.

 I chose to pursue a job with Southeastern Guide Dogs because I liked their philosophy of trying to match dogs with people other schools wouldn't necessarily admit (older folks, special-needs folks). Also, at the time Florida’s cost of living was much lower than where I was living.

 I moved without actually having a job here.  It took me two months to get a position as a kennel assistant.  I came and walked dogs and bugged the kennel manager every day.  I was a kennel assistant for 13 months and was promoted to apprentice trainer.  I went through the apprentice program for the next three years and was certified in February 2005.

 What is your favorite part about your job?

My favorite dog part of the job is the moment when the dogs "get it" - when you know that they understand what you want them to do.  The lightbulb moment of when I can see a dog thinking and problem solving.

 My favorite student part of the job is hearing about their "independence moments."  Many students will tell us, "This is the first time I've walked outside at night by myself in years," or "This is the first time I have walked through a mall by myself."  It's rewarding to be part of that process.

 How about a least favorite part of the job?

My least favorite part of the job is when it rains.  This is the first job I've had where I would rather that it rain on the weekends.

About this column: Each week, Jennifer Bement of Southeastern Guide Dogs will tell readers what's new at the Palmetto-based nonprofit, the only guide dog school in the southeastern United States. Follow them at facebook.com/southeastern-guide-dogs and twitter.com/dogguidetrainer