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Richard and a guide dog in training stand next to a bronze statue of a guide dog on a downtown city sidewalk in Gresham, Oregon.

It's no surprise that our guide dog mobility instructors (GDMIs) love animals. Our newest qualified GDMI, Richard Macauley, is no exception. With dozens of pets and a background in zoo keeping, Richard brings his passion for animals to his work at Guide Dogs for the Blind where he is a champion for our clients and an advocate for the power of the human-animal bond. Richard recently completed GDB's multi-year GDMI apprenticeship that includes hands-on training of dogs and instruction of clients, as well as a comprehensive course of academic study. 

"I chose this career because it allowed me to empower people through the catalyst of working with animals, which has always been my dream," he said. 

Richard was purposeful in his path that led to him to our Oregon campus. Richard grew up in Las Vegas, where in his younger days he had jobs as a pool attendant and cabana host at the Paris Hotel & Casino, and graduated from the College of Southern Nevada. He became a part-time zookeeper at Bonnie Springs Ranch in Nevada's Red Rock Canyon and worked his way up to Zoo Manager.  He then went on to get a degree from the exotic animal training and management program at America’s Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College in Moorpark, Calif., and his path working with animals was set. He joined the Training staff of GDB in 2017. 

"It’s hard for me to pick one thing I like best about my job," Richard said. "It's amazing to watch a client and guide dog travel through the world with confidence, grace, and peace. Meeting a client in class that has been paired with a dog that I trained is so reaffirming. When I first approach the new team, the dog is always so excited to see me. But the best part is that the dog will eventually choose to leave me to go back to their client. I LOVE that moment. I also love the powerful moments that happen at graduation. When instructors escort the puppy raisers to meet the clients and reconnect with the puppies - now guide dogs - that the raisers have put so much of their heart into, it is so special. Once everyone connects, I can feel the energy. Walking around and experiencing so much joy and emotion is like being an audience in the story about heroes. Because that is what puppy raisers are, heroes." 

Outside of work, Richard's hobbies largely include his pets, which include: 

  • A 27-year-old Eclectus parrot, “Kiwi”

  • An 11-year-old Beagle, “Hugo”

  • A 6-year-old GDB career change Lab/Golden cross, “Soleil”

  • A flock of roughly 40 Zebra finches

  • A flock of roughly 40 Ringneck dove

  • A covey of 14 Northern Bobwhite quail

  • And a 10-week-old female Border Collie/Australian Kelpie mix ("Her name will be finalized once I spend more time with her," Richard said.)

Richard enjoys playing Flyball (Flyball is a dog sport where teams of four dogs race against each other in a relay race to complete a course), hiking, and he recently started a new hobby: making his own beef jerky. 

Congratulations, Richard on your GDMI qualification!  

Categories: GDB Staff Profile, GDB Careers, Guide Dog Training