Blind CSI manager continues her career with the help of a guide dog

Cecilia von Beroldingen, 60, manages the California Department of Justice Criminalistics Institute Forensic Training Facility in Sacramento.

Twenty years ago a brain tumor was threatening her life. Removal left her with no vision in her left eye and little in the right.

An expert in forensic DNA testing with a Ph.D. and extensive post graduate study, she had just started a new job and was devastated to think that her career might be over. But soon after getting her first guide dog, life turned around. She was able to walk confidently into a court room and testify in a high profile murder case.

"My guide dog walked me into the courtroom and up into the witness box as opposed to tapping my way with a cane."

Since that first case, her guide dog has given her the ability and confidence to travel and testify in court cases in 32 states and in Mexico.

Beroldingen continues to be active as a director for Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael where she recently gave a speech at the graduation.

Supported solely by donations, the school, located on 11 acres in San Rafael, California, has provided guide dogs free of charge since 1942. Recognizing the need to help wounded servicemen returning from World War II without their sight, they helped pioneer the use of dogs to serve as guides. Since 1942 they have graduated more than 10,000 teams.

Guide dog programs not only allow people to lead independent, productive lives, but they also maintain working dog breeding programs based on health, temperament and intelligence—not show dog breed standards.

September is National Guide Dog month.

Comments

[cube]

What an uplifting story. More power to her and the dogs that make her life purposeful. It's a win-win situation for both :-)

[Rick Rockhill]

Thanks so much for posting this, I was at that graduation ceremony and spent the morning with Dr Cecilia, she is truly inspirational.

People can make a donation to National Guide Dog Month online at http://petco.com/guidedogs

You can also donate at the register of any petco store through Sept 24.

[jackie]

what a great story...