Catching Sight: How a Guide Dog Helped Me See Myself

“An uplifting demonstration of how astonishingly intelligent guide dogs are and the life-changing bond they create.”—Brian Hare, author of Puppy Kindergarten

"Readers will fall in love with this heartwarming story of human-animal connection and resilience.”—Shelf Awareness

One woman's journey through progressive blindness and the extraordinary guide dog who kept her safe along the way

When ethics scholar Deni Elliott, born with limited vision, realized she could no longer navigate the world safely alone, she turned to a guide dog—a decision that reshaped her understanding of disability and independence.

Written in collaboration with master trainer Graham Buck, Catching Sight offers a behind-the-scenes look at the world of guide dog breeding and training, revealing the intelligence and decision-making skills these dogs develop from birth.

Catching Sight is for readers interested in the transformative power of human relationships with animals. As Deni confronts her changing reality, she shares the hidden world of guide dog training and introduces Alberta, a yellow Lab whose quiet brilliance changed her interaction with the world and herself.

Catching Sight offers a fresh and unforgettable perspective on disability, identity, and the power of partnership.

Deni Elliott is co-director for the National Ethics Project and is professor emerita in the Department of Journalism and Digital Communication at the University of South Florida. She is the author or editor of 10 previous books. Deni served on the Guiding Eyes for the Blind Graduate Council and co-chaired the nation’s first continuing education seminar for guide dog partners.

Graham Buck trained dogs at Guiding Eyes for the Blind for 31 years. He is the owner of Buck's Best Dogs, a science-based dog training business that builds relationships between people and their pet dogs.