Congratulations to Sarah Jensen who has officially completed her three-year GDB instructor apprenticeship. The apprenticeship requires practical, hands-on experience in training both our dogs and our clients, as well as a comprehensive academic course of study.Â
Sarah is originally from Park City, Utah, and came to GDB after working at a nonprofit animal rescue organization where she was an adoption specialist, and subsequently the director of rescue and rehabilitation. In addition, she spent two winters working for a racing/tour mushing kennel. Sarah has also raised nine puppies for GDB, and holds a bachelor's degree in Health Promotion and Education from the University of Utah. She and her husband have two dogs and a cat: Marley "the wonder dog"; Rafferty, a GDB career change dog who moonlighted as a search and rescue dog; and Mr. Toes, a six-toed kitty. Sarah loves most outdoor activities - especially those activities that allow her dogs to come along on the adventure: hiking, camping, backpacking, river rafting, skiing, etc. She is a volunteer with Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue in Oregon and has previously volunteered with Great Basin K9 Search and Rescue in Utah.Â
"The favorite part of working for GDB is watching the first route a client takes with their new guide dog," Sarah said. "This moment brings the whole mission full circle for me, especially having been a puppy raiser. It is the culmination of so much hard work, on the part of so many, and it is the moment that makes everything worth it."‬
Want to learn more about GDB's guidework training? Please visit our Guide Dog Training page to get the scoop!Â
