Local man’s new partner gives him a fresh start in life
Not too long ago, Raymond Trevino thought the best years of his
life were behind
him. Diabetes had not only begun to destroy his vision, it was
also eating away at his will to live. What would normally be the
start of his golden years after a long career owning two jewelry
stores in Gilroy followed by a 12-year job cooking at the Morgan
Hill Boys Ranch, he considered the end. His memories of the past
now doubled as a list of things he could never do again now that he
was legally blind.
”
I completely gave up on myself,
”
said Trevino, a 68-year-old Korean War Army veteran.
Local man’s new partner gives him a fresh start in life
Not too long ago, Raymond Trevino thought the best years of his life were behind
him. Diabetes had not only begun to destroy his vision, it was also eating away at his will to live. What would normally be the start of his golden years after a long career owning two jewelry stores in Gilroy followed by a 12-year job cooking at the Morgan Hill Boys Ranch, he considered the end. His memories of the past now doubled as a list of things he could never do again now that he was legally blind.
“I completely gave up on myself,” said Trevino, a 68-year-old Korean War Army veteran.
“A year, a year and a half ago, I felt like I was 80,” he said. A dour expression accompanied his recollection.
Today, Trevino’s demeanor doesn’t even hint at that same downtrodden man. His easy-going smile is contagious, his gentle laugh is pleasing to the ear and his “joie de vivre” may as well be stamped on his forehead.
During his transformative journey, he was accompanied by the love of his wife and their three children, as well as the strength of several role models who taught him mobility and independence by example, not by handholding.
Now, as the calendar page turns to a new year, Trevino has earned a new companion; a guide dog named Thorn. The yellow Labrador retriever with calm strength and teddy-bear-soft fur will usher him forward with loyalty and protection, even as the darkness of full blindness eventually closes in.
The first time he even fathomed owning a guide dog was during the three months he spent at the Western Blind Rehabilitation Center located on the grounds of the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System. However, this period of immersion in a culture of aptitude over disability roused more than just the notion of a canine companion.
“I kind of woke up again,” said Trevino. “I tried to do things that I said I can’t do anymore.”
Trevino remembered the surprise he felt when he discovered that many of his teachers, even the director, at the rehabilitation program were blind, some of them blind since birth. But, the clincher in his reawakening seemed to come in the form of a blind, elderly World War II veteran who, putting an arm around Trevino’s shoulder, shattered all of his paralyzing self-pity with just a few words.
“I was flying a plane before you were born, and I still play golf,” Trevino remembered being told. He laughed as he brought back to mind the memory of his rehab peer.
“I came back to life right there,” Trevino said.
After Trevino completed various applications and interviews to become eligible for a guide dog, a short six months later he received a promising phone call; he was to report for training in San Rafael at the California campus of Guide Dogs for the Blind. During the month-long training, Trevino experienced the discipline, dedication and attention to detail that was infused into every move made by the dogs and the highly skilled staff and was required from Trevino and the 20 other visually impaired students in attendance.
“It wasn’t 4:31 or 4:32, it was 4:30. That’s all there is to it,” said Trevino talking about the strictly set schedule of activities during the training. “You don’t even need a watch in that school.”
Trevino found it hard to express the mixture of emotions he felt the first time he was introduced to Thorn. But, he recalled how he immediately began to work at forming the ever-so-crucial bond between human and dog that could determine the success or failure of the match.
“If he can’t get on the bed, then I’m gonna get on the floor,” said Trevino, recalling how he made sure to stay within the rules while getting to know his new puppy, who will be 2 years old in February.
Leaving the San Rafael school on Dec. 17 did not mean leaving behind the strict rules or rigorous training schedule. Now that Trevino is back home, Thorn needs to learn how to help his owner navigate the busy streets of Hollister.
“We walk every morning,” said Trevino on Tuesday during his daily outing. “We’re learning places that I usually go.”
Over the next two months, Thorn will continue to learn simple verbal commands, which when spoken, will trigger the canine to lead Trevino to the bank, to his daughter’s house or to a favorite lunch spot.
“I’ve gotta stay on schedule; that’s real important,” said Trevino regarding Thorn’s training. But there is more weighing on Trevino and Thorn’s progress than just a safe and direct route to the bank. Guide Dogs for the Blind will occasionally send someone to check up on the pair over the next few months. If Thorn’s situation doesn’t meet the standards, Trevino risks having the dog taken away. This applies to training progress as well as other aspects of the dog’s well being, including keeping him within a seven-pound weight range.
“If he gains weight, it’s hard for him to do his work,” said Trevino, understanding that all the rules are based in optimizing Thorn as a working guide dog.
As Trevino waited to cross the intersection of Fourth and San Benito streets, Thorn stood by his side, looking straight ahead with perked years. After the pair cautiously crossed the street, Thorn put his two front legs up on the curb and stopped. This is where he waited until Trevino safety stepped on the curb as well. Trevino chuckled as Thorn continued to respond perfectly to commands, impressing his owner with his obedience.
“You’re a good boy Thorn,” said Trevino. And with a cheerful confidence, he continued slowly down the street.
“I can go anywhere. He’s not about to let me get hurt.”
