Alberta, the yellow Labrador, has become widely known on campus.
She is the face of the Bayboro Blonde Ale, a beer 3 Daughters Brewing renamed for the 50th anniversary celebration of USF St. Petersburg.
And her blond fur matches the hair of her human partner – USFSP journalism and media studies chairwoman, Dr. Deni Elliott.
Elliott is slowly losing her sight, and today her vision is less than 10 percent. Alberta works as her eyes and navigates Elliott around campus.
“She keeps me from running into things,” Elliott said. She calls Alberta her “furry GPS.”
Dr. Tony Silvia said when the pair approaches the courtyard entrance to the Peter Rudy Wallace building, Alberta rises up on her hind legs and hits the “handicapped” button to automatically open the door.
Alberta is featured on the label of 3 Daughters Brewing’s “Bayboro Blonde Ale,” re-named in celebration of the university’s 50th anniversary.
“She always seemed so proud of herself,” said Silvia. “Deni would say she (Alberta) was ‘showing off.’”
Elliott calls Alberta her “key to independence” and said she can find the woman’s bathroom by scent. Alberta even guides them in places they both have never been before.
“I have absolutely no idea how she finds baggage claim,” she said.
Alberta guides Elliott through the airport and sits quietly as travelers line up and suitcases start to cycle on the metal belt. When Elliott’s luggage comes by, Alberta gets up.
And she is never wrong.
“She always knows which bag has her food,” Elliott said.
But next month, Elliott will travel without Alberta. This time, she will be using a cane to locate obstacles and find her way.
Alberta was recently diagnosed with iris melanoma and will lose her right eye. Elliott is hopeful for her recovery and said this type of cancer rarely spreads quickly.
She will no longer work as a Guiding Eyes dog.
Elliott and Alberta were matched three years ago through Guiding Eyes for the Blind in New York.
She kept up with Elliott’s 4-mph pace, but was not as fast as her former guide dog Wylie. Elliott said she and Alberta are seamless – when they walk, it’s like they’re one person.
Shortly after being matched with Alberta, Elliott started Rally, a dog sport based on obedience, at the Dog Training Club of St. Petersburg.
During Rally, a dog and handler compete in a course of stations with a sign regarding a skill to be performed.
Elliott’s sighted guide, Jan Erickson, reads the signs for Elliott while staying out of the way so the judges can see Elliott and Alberta.
Alberta is close to achieving Rally Advanced Excellent, the highest title that can be earned.
But on April 20, Elliott and Alberta practiced a rally course for the last time.
Although Alberta may have a quick recovery, Elliott cannot keep Alberta. She said it would break Alberta’s heart to see her with another guide dog.
“She needs me to give her a good retirement,” Elliott said.
A new home for Alberta has not yet been found. For now, Guiding Eyes and Elliott are focused on her recovery.
Elliott will have a new partner, after Guiding Eyes finds her the perfect match.
“But no one can replace the ‘Bayboro Blonde,’” she said.
