Board of Directors

Alan Holst first attempted to use a guide dog in the mid 1980s while working as an account executive at a local radio station. “It was my first outside sales job and I quickly discovered that customers weren’t expecting a blind person in that role. Blindness seemed to create an unnecessary obstacle when meeting new people. I thought a dog might make the initial meetings easier.”

He never got to test that theory because he changed jobs before he had a chance to use his first dog in that setting. “My first dog and I didn’t settle well so I returned him after about a year. I do remember how wonderful it was to travel with a dog though, so when we moved to a densely populated neighborhood and I retired, thereby having more time to work on the relationship between the dog and I, it was time to try again.”

Alan’s current dog is a black lab named Paulette. They have been a team for a little more than four years now. “I love it! It’s nice to go new places with less stress then I would have with a cane. I particularly enjoy taking my grocery cart and going shopping at the grocery store.”  

“A guide dog is really three very different things. First, it’s a mobility aid, which is highly superior to a white cane. Second, it changes one’s social presence. Just as a parent with a baby in tow shows up differently in social situations, so does a person with a dog guide. Finally, it is a pet. At the end of the day a guide dog is still a dog.  

Alan lives in Tustin with his wife of 40 years. They have two daughters and three grandchildren.

He is eager to share the joys and liberating possibilities that a guide dog can bring to a blind person’s life.  

Paul Brennan immigrated to the United States with his parents in August 1980 and maintains dual citizenship with the U.S. and Ireland. Paul has been providing services to persons with disabilities in various capacities since 2003. His previous professional experience includes working as both a graduate assistant at the Office of Disabled Student Services, California State University, Fullerton and as a counseling intern at the Blind Children’s Learning Center. Paul currently works as an Independent Living Services Instructor at the Dayle McIntosh Center’s Aging with Vision Loss Program. Paul completed his Bachelors in psychology in 2003 and graduated with a Masters in Counseling in 2008. Having been diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa at the age of three, Paul possesses first-hand experience concerning the unique life challenges vision loss presents. Describing himself as a highly passionate and analytical individual, Paul enjoys playing the drums, tandem cycling and collecting model cars.

Paul received his first guide dog, Jeremiah, a black Labrador, in August 2015. Paul views his partnership with Jeremiah as one of the absolute high-points of his life. Affectionately referred to as Bubba, Jeremiah was featured on the 2015 GDB calendar and has made two trips to Ireland. Jeremiah splits his time between working from home, conducting in-home appointments with consumers and working at the office where he has proven to be a most popular employee. Jeremiah particularly enjoys parading around the office with his Goughnut toy and loves a vigorous game of tug. Jeremiah will soon be retiring and has lobbied strongly for his replacement to be a female.  

Photo Description: Paul (kneeling) and his guide dog Jeremiah sitting next to a flower pot on his front patio.

Do you have a passion for Guide Dogs? Are you looking for a way to give back to Guide Dogs? Well, this might interest you. Our terms will be expiring in May. OC Guide Dogs is accepting nominations for two new positions: Members at Large as well as  President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Please submit your interest in running for an office by emailing Mindy Wulff minwulff@gmail.com or Jeff Senge at jcsenge@outlook.com by March 19th  12pm midnight. OC Guide Dog officers are elected for one year. It is a one year commitment and it is estimated that it requires up to 6 hours per month on average between emails, GDB President Meetings (President only) , OC Guide Dog Chapter meetings, Board Meetings and Outings.

Once we have all of the nominees we will share the candidates with you.We will have official elections at our in-person meeting on Saturday March 25 between 10-12 pm  at Orangewood Avenue Baptist Church.

If you have any questions regarding these positions and responsibilities, reach out to one of us and we will be happy to answer your questions.