When Rob Palaski answered the door of his Glenwood Drive home, he was holding Max, the 9-year-old family dachshund. The newest member of the family, a 2-year-old black Labrador retriever named Brandy, was in the living room, tethered to the couch. When released, she became a twirling ball of energy, wiggling and licking a visitor, that is until Palaski sat down; as if a switch had been thrown, Brandy laid peacefully at his feet and soon was snoring. Brandy and Max's playtime was over for the moment; it was time for business as Palaski told about acquiring his first guide dog and his life since he was first diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa in 1997.

Retinitis pigmentosa is a progressive eye disease in which the retina is damaged and the rods, which control night vision, are affected. Peripheral vision is eventually lost and the disease can lead to blindness, though it is not usually total. Although the condition is familial, Palaski said he didn't think it was in his family except his grandfather had undiagnosed vision problems. "It was my dumb luck," he said about the condition, which affects 1 in 4,000 people in the United States.

Palaski, 37, is a graduate of Plainville High School, Tunxis Community College and Connecticut Center of Massage Therapy in Newington. He moved to California to continue his studies in massage therapy. When he began noticing vision problems, he thought it was because he was working and studying full time. He didn't want to give up the life he had established in the three years on the West Coast. But as it became more difficult to juggle work and studies, he acknowledged his deteriorating vision, returned home to Connecticut and began using a cane for the blind to get around. Two visually impaired friends of his, who use guide dogs, tried to convince him that he, too, should get a guide dog. He'd tell them, "I'm not ready for that."

Last fall, Palaski traveled to Dallas to attend a National Federation of the Blind conference where he learned about Guiding Eyes for the Blind, based in Yorktown Heights, N.Y., about 90 minutes from Southington. "They were fantastic, very nice, very reassuring," and he decided it was time to obtain a guide dog. He submitted his application, was accepted and in February attended the three-week residential program. On Feb. 21, he and Brandy were among the eight graduates.

Guiding Eyes for the Blind is a non-profit organization that was established more than 50 years ago. Students come from around the world to learn the necessary skills to gain freedom and greater independence. It is more in­tensive than other programs because teachers, students and dogs are immersed in training all day, every day. "I needed to be away to fully concentrate on studies with the dog and bonding with her, me getting to know her and she getting to know me," Palaski said.

Dogs and owners are matched by using what Palaski called "a rap sheet" with characteristics, temperament and needs of user and dog, everything 'A to Z'. Brandy is actually his second dog; the first, Alice, didn't work out because she was too easily distracted. She was ultimately dismissed from the program. When introduced to Brandy, "She saw I was upset and gave me a big kiss from my chin to forehead," Palaski said.

During the training program, Palaski, Brandy and an instructor trained in New York City walking, and navigating street crossings and obstacles. There were so many distractions, however, "She performed really well," he said. Brandy actually "saved" him from getting ""run over" by a woman with a baby carriage, who was plowing through the crowd. At another corner, Brandy walked right past a dog walk­er handling 13 canines. They also trained in Peekskill, N.Y., a busy community. Since Palaski had lost his night vision, he hadn't been out in the evening. While training, they went out on a night route. "I freaked out in a good way. It was a very freeing experience. (I realized) my life doesn't have to end when the sun goes down," he said he realized.

While in Yorktown Heights, Palaski had the opportunity to meet Brandy's Connecticut family that raised her. "That would rip me to shreds," to give up a dog, Palaski said. When about 1-1/2 years old, guide dogs enter extensive training before it is ready for being matched with a person. It costs about $40,000 to graduate a guide dog team, according to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, without any cost to students. The majority of dogs are Labrador retrievers; however, German shepherds and golden retrievers also are used.

Back in Connecticut, the twosome has been very busy. Palaski jumped right back into all his activities, including a trip to a mall and a visit to his brother's house for a party where there were seven children and four dogs. "It was hard not letting her play," he said. They work several times each day on obedience training and walking neighborhood sidewalks, which happen to be in terrible condition, broken and un­even, he said. It was especially hard to go outside in the bitter cold but it was essential that they get used to each other. "She had to figure out how wide I am," he said. In April, personnel from Guiding Eyes for the Blind will visit them in Plainville to see how they are doing. "She performs like a champ." His biggest challenge is trusting Brandy. Palaski has some residual vision and can see if an object is coming. "I want to react but that's her job, not mine. I have to allow her to do her job."

Brandy also accompanies Palaski, a licensed certified massage therapist, to his business, Touch of Paradise, in Kensington, and on home visits. They use a para-transport system to get where they need to go.

For more information, E-mail us at: info@nfbct.org