Meet Roxy, A Pilot Dog

In December, we introduced VSP Global employee Renee Emmerson and her inspiring journey. Today, we’d like to introduce Roxy, Renee’s guide dog!

Roxy, a 2-year old Black Labrador, was raised and trained by Pilot Dogs, Inc., in Columbus, Ohio. When she was ready to graduate, Pilot Dogs taught Renee and Roxy how to work together.

Here’s what Renee says about her experience:

The funny thing is that I drove by Pilot Dogs many times, not focusing on it when I had vision and not thinking about it as it passed my car window into my peripheral vision.

It was in 2013 that I finally discovered this hidden jewel in my back yard. After a year and a half of coping with my altered life with a visual impairment, I stumbled onto a “chance.” My fiancée was driving and he noticed a man walking with a dog in a harness. We pulled over to ask one question.

That question would change the course of how I would navigate my world and gave me back my power, my independence. I will never forget it. My husband said, “What do you do here?”

That is when my journey to getting my guide dog Roxy began.

Continue reading on the VSP Blog.