Puppy Raising Youth Scholarship Winners

Annually, Guide Dogs for the Blind awards scholarships to puppy raisers in their senior year of high school. This year, 17 raisers submitted applications, all of whom have outstanding scholastic achievements and community service experience within Guide Dogs and their communities.

For 2013, we were pleased to award $3,000 in scholarship funds. 


Carrie Faber, of Nevada County, California, received a $1,000 scholarship.  Carrie has raised guide dog puppies since she was 11. She has always loved dogs, and enjoys being part of the process of building a strong interdependent team whose lives are richer because of the partnership. She has raised seven pups: five are working guides, one is a therapy dog, one is in formal training, and one is currently a puppy in training.  In addition to puppy raising, Carrie also maintains her club’s web page on Facebook. She has taken several classes at her community college including American Sign Language classes, earning her both high school and college credits. Carrie will be attending Moorpark College and applying to their Exotic Animal Training and Management program (EATM). She hopes to work in the service animal industry in the continued effort to enhance the lives of both human and companion.


Bryan Goings, of Douglas County, Colorado, received an $800 scholarship.  Bryan has been part of his puppy raising club since his freshman year in high school. He is currently raising his third puppy, Armand, and his two previous puppies, Keller and Maximus, are working guides. Bryan has been part of his high school’s World Language National Honor Society and received a varsity letter in Cross Country. Bryan also participated in a week long mission trip to Costa Rica to help construct chicken coops for an impoverished church. Bryan has been chosen to be part of the Honors Program while attending Colorado State University to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering beginning fall 2013. 



Blaise Wittenauer-Lee, of Washington County, Oregon, received a $600 scholarship.  Blaise has been involved in puppy raising since she was 11. She and her family have raised 6 puppies, among them are Chantilly who is a working dog in Tennessee, and Kirin, a breeder.  Blaise's most recent puppy Delia, is in the formal training on the Oregon campus. Blaise is also a dedicated student athlete. She earned Scholastic All American in swimming this year, was the recipient of OSAA award of excellence for high school swimming, is a Junior National qualifier, and a state and school record holder in her events. She is a member of the National Honor Society.  Blaise worked for a woman's shelter for her Christian Service Project at Jesuit High School and was the recipient of the school's 201 Service Award, completing over 200 hours of community service in her junior and senior year.  Blaise will be attending Seattle University with an academic and athletic scholarship and plans to study Biology.


Colleen Bohannan, of Solano County, California, received a $600 scholarship.  Colleen has been involved with her puppy raising club since the age of nine. She is currently raising her 8th puppy, a Golden Retriever named Freedom. Colleen credits the Guide Dog program for teaching her great responsibility and a sense of community. In addition to puppy raising, Colleen is a California State 4-H Ambassador, a member of her school's leadership program, a Varsity athlete, and a lifeguard at her local pool. She graduated as a member of her school's National Honors Society and part of American Canyon High School's inaugural first class. Colleen will be attending Oregon State University in the fall, majoring in Athletic Training with the hopes of earning a Master's degree in Physical Therapy.


Honorable Mention
Anne Dansie