A Tanque Verde High School student will be bringing a special four-legged guest to graduation tonight.
Over the last semester, Alyssa Gallagher has taken Bismarck - a black Labrador she has been training to become a guide dog for the blind - to classes with her, and now he will cross the stage with her as she graduates.
"It will be good training and it will be fun to have him at graduation with me," said Gallagher, who is not visually impaired.
Bismarck, described as being very calm, is the second dog Gallagher has trained through the Guide Dogs for the Blind program.
Unlike Bismarck, who normally sleeps through Gallagher's classes, the 17-year-old has worked hard to graduate from high school in just three years, often taking summer courses while volunteering at a local veterinary clinic and working with Bismarck on basic obedience and socialization.
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Because Bismarck maintains such a low profile, he hasn't been much of a distraction to Gallagher's classmates.
"At first, everyone is really excited to see a dog in class, but after that initial phase, they all get back to work," Gallagher said.
In addition to taking Bismarck to school, Gallagher also sometimes takes him to church, stores and other public places.
Bismarck's next adventure will be in Flagstaff, where Gallagher will attend Northern Arizona University in the fall.
He will likely stay with Gallagher through January before making his way to California for the final stages of training before being matched with a blind person.
Gallagher plans to major in biology and hopes to become a veterinarian.
Contact reporter Alexis Huicochea at ahuicochea@azstarnet.com or 573-4175.
