The Globe Magazine's Pets Issue: A Guide Dog at Work

At times Melody gets to play the role of pet. But mostly she's a working dog. KaeAnn Rausch, 50, who is legally blind and works for the US Department of Labor in Government Center, got the highly trained 2-year-old golden retriever-Labrador mix free of charge in December from Guide Dogs for the Blind, a San Rafael, Calif.-based nonprofit. 'She's made a huge difference in my life,' Rausch says. 'When she is in the harness, she's all business.' Here, a typical workday for Melody and Rausch. 7:37 a.m. Rausch and Melody at home in Revere.
At times Melody gets to play the role of pet. But mostly she's a working dog. KaeAnn Rausch, 50, who is legally blind and works for the US Department of Labor in Government Center, got the highly trained 2-year-old golden retriever-Labrador mix free of charge in December from Guide Dogs for the Blind, a San Rafael, Calif.-based nonprofit. "She's made a huge difference in my life," Rausch says. "When she is in the harness, she's all business." Here, a typical workday for Melody and Rausch.

7:37 a.m. Rausch and Melody at home in Revere.
(Photo by Kathleen Dooher)