Taking The Lead Podcast_042826_Mackenzie
Leslie: [00:00:00] Welcome to the Taking the Lead podcast, where we empower people to be unstoppable. I'm Leslie Hoskins, with my co-hosts, Alyssa Otis and Timothy Cunio. How we doing today? Timothy, I know you've been busy. I- we say this all the time. This is no surprise, but l- give us the updates. What's happening?
Timothy: Well, uh, we just got back from a big, uh, dinner, in a dark down there in, uh, uh, Carlton, and the, uh, Villa Rica Lions Club threw one this past weekend.
And we, we raised a lot of money for Leader Dog, which blew me away, the amount, and I wanna thank them for that. Uh, it was a great run event, and I wanna say hello to Sarah Claudia- ... and her mother. And, uh, they listen to the podcast all the time, so.
Alyssa: Oh, a good little shout-out there then. Well, yeah. Yes.
Timothy: And- I mean, uh, her mother come up to me and goes, "Oh, my gosh."
I mean, I'm her buddy. But she goes, "I'm one of your biggest fans," or whatever. So it w- it was, it was embarrassing and b- humbling also, but we raised a lot of money. It, that place, [00:01:00] we over had 120 people there for the Dinner in the Dark. It, it was a sellout.
Alyssa: Wow.
Timothy: And, uh, we raised... I mean, I was just blown away, the amount that I got last night at midnight, and, uh, it was just, it was great.
It was great.
Alyssa: There are always so many Leader Dog events, events that we've done, of course, but then just events that people are doing out and about in different states, in different... I mean, I, sometimes we don't even know about the events.
Leslie: That is very true, very true. And I love, we love Sarah Claudia. Yeah.
We've had her on the, the podcast. She actually co-hosted, I think, a couple times, Timothy. While you were traveling the world doing something, she stepped in. And so shout-out, yes, to Miss Sarah Claudia. Thank you for all that you guys do. And thank you, Timothy. That's incredible, and what a great learning opportunity.
It's a great advocacy event and, of course, uh, raising money for our missions. That's great. It is, it is amazing.
Timothy: I- So what's, what's coming up with the, at Leader Dog soon? I hear there's a Bark and Brew coming
Alyssa: up? There is, in fact. I know, with all the events going on off-campus, we should also [00:02:00] focus on what's going on on-campus here.
What's happening here? What's happening at Leader Dog. Yeah, June 7th we have Bark and Brew. So for those of you that are unfamiliar, it's a 5K, yet again, a- another running event. Um, but feel free to walk it. I'm a walker, so there's no judgment there. Uh, and then once you do that 5K, you just end up at a little party.
It- We've got donuts and, and food and different... I think we have face painting this year for any kiddos.
Leslie: Yeah, it should be fun. It is, uh, presented by Chief Financial, uh, Credit Union this year, and anybody who is signed up to race, after the finish line, they get a compliment- compli- complimentary beverage from Rochester Mills Company or a Starbucks coffee.
Ooh. And, or they can get a taste of Jersey Mike's Subs or a Knapp's donut. So nobody's leaving this event hungry- Yeah ... is what I'm learning. Yeah. So sign me up for that.
Alyssa: I was gonna say, I won't run. Me and the donut. Yeah. Timothy and I aren't gonna run, but we'll be there for the donuts.
Leslie: Yeah, we'll walk. I'm a watcher
Alyssa: Yeah.
Absolutely. But, [00:03:00] but donuts for sure. I'll have to my, get my obligatory running through the finish line photo.
Leslie: Yes. Well-
Timothy: I was at-
Leslie: Yeah,
Alyssa: yeah ...
Timothy: I, I was at that event, uh, about, what, three years ago? And it was a great event. Yes. There was a lot of people there. I was... It was awesome. Downtown
Leslie: Milwaukee- We were calling that my birthday party, though.
Alyssa: Yeah.
Timothy: Yeah, because I was gonna be there.
Alyssa: Yeah. It happened to fall on Leslie's birthday, and she didn't let anybody forget it. Absolutely. That's in fact how we started all of our company, uh, meetings, to talk about Bark and Brew is, don't forget, it's also Leslie's birthday.
Leslie: Yep, it's a very important day.
It's my, the biggest holiday that I like to celebrate. Uh, so we'll let Bark and Brew have its day of June 7th this year, and I'll continue moving on with my birthday, but.
Alyssa: Fantastic.
Leslie: Good things happening and good things coming.
Alyssa: Always good things here, and another good thing, we have an incredible guest joining us today.
So today we are joined by Mackenzie Nichols, who has been deeply involved with Leader Dogs for the Blind through Oakland University's on-campus puppy raising program. She has raised multiple future Leader Dogs and has played a major role in growing this [00:04:00] program into what it is today.
Leslie: Yes, Mackenzie attended Oakland University from 2019 through 2025, earning both her bachelor's in biomedical sciences and her master's in biology.
During that time, she raised four future Leader Dogs. Mackenzie also served as president of the Future Leader Dog Club for four and a half years, and for the past two years she's continued giving back as a puppy counselor and is now preparing to head to Colorado State University for veterinary school.
Timothy: Mackenzie, welcome to the podcast. Can we ask you what brought you to Leader Dog and want to be a puppy raiser?
Mackenzie: Absolutely. So I would like to start off by thank you all for having me here today. It is an absolute honor and privilege to be with you all. So my journey with Leader Dog actually began all the way back in 2019.
So it was part of the honors college introductory course known as Making Discoveries that we read the book, Have Dog, Will Travel, by Stefan Cusisto. And it was through that book, and then also a guest [00:05:00] lecture f- of a client here at Leader Dog, um, that I learned about the organization. So Jeff Hawkins, and at the time his Leader Dog, Gracie, came to our university and gave a 45-minute lecture to our class.
Um, during that first 45 minutes, I was absolutely enamored and head over heels in love with Jeff, Gracie, and of course the organization. And then the second half of that lecture, where poor Dr. Harper, who's the dean of the honors college- ... and was the professor for this course, um, I was actually filling out my first ever puppy raising application.
And then a few months later, I picked up my first puppy, and I've been absolutely addicted ever since.
Alyssa: That, I feel bad for your professor. Here we are just taking over college, and you're filling out applications, but that's incredible.
Mackenzie: You know what? I still got a 10 out of 10 on that day's lecture quiz.
Amazing. So I, I did enough. Yeah. For sure.
Leslie: And I love that Jeff Hawkins was so inspiring to you. Mm-hmm. It's like Timothy does, right? He goes out and shares his story and speaks to people in order for them to join our mission and our organization [00:06:00] in whatever capacity. And for you, it was puppy raising.
Right. So you jumped on the puppy raising wagon. Tell us about that first experience.
Mackenzie: It was an incredible experience. So I actually picked up my first puppy in March of 2020. It was exactly- Oh, no ... one week prior to the shutdown.
Leslie: Oh, gosh.
Mackenzie: But honestly, it was the best time to pick up a puppy because it Allowed me the opportunity to prioritize his needs, and then all of my schooling went online Mm.
So I was able to quite seamlessly balance puppy raising while going to school at the same time. Um, and through that experience and how positive it was, I picked up my second puppy, and at that point, we were back to being fully on campus, and it allowed me to have quite a seamless transition into that puppy raising role because it allowed me to have a gradual learning experience- Mm-hmm
in regards to time management as well as, um, just [00:07:00] how to structure training a future leader dog that I successfully was able to raise four puppies during my time at Oakland University.
Alyssa: That's crazy. It, it really... I mean, yes, pros and cons with COVID. You know, we talk about this all the time now, even though it's been- Gosh, six years.
Mackenzie: Right.
Alyssa: Um, crazy. But so obviously your day was not typical with that first dog.
Mackenzie: No.
Alyssa: With your second dog, you said you guys were back in, in person. So what is a typical day like with a do- I mean, you've got responsibilities. You've got a dog, you've got classes, you've got to- yourself to care for. What does a day look like?
Mackenzie: You know, it really changes from puppy raiser to puppy raiser, and then also dog to dog. So I was blessed with four future leader dogs that were very campus confident. Our campus is a hustling and bustling community, and thankfully, it set my future leader dogs up for success. Um, so my puppies went with me pretty much anywhere and everywhere.
So my day pretty much started three-ish hours prior to any [00:08:00] lecture or, um, class that I taught. I actually had the privilege of teaching at Oakland University as well, and my, my puppies were actually co-lecturers with me. Um, so I was notorious for taking 8:00 a.m. lectures or teaching 8:00 a.m. lectures, so my day typically began at 4:30 or 5:00 in the morning, and this allowed me to build in time to prioritize their needs as well as my own.
Um, and then we always had time for our morning stroll around campus, and then we would jump into that 8:00 a.m. lecture, where they were expected to settle and, um, just be respectful little citizens, whether it be under my, uh, teacher stand or under my desk. Um, from there, we would always go and get coffee.
My dogs were n- like, very well known at every single Starbucks- ... on campus. Um, so like, I can't tell you how many times I was sitting in the library on the first floor and where I had just, like, walked by the Starbucks, and there would magically be pup cups appear- Aw ... in front of me. Man. Um, so my puppies were [00:09:00] very spoiled in that retrospect.
Um, uh, and then from there we took advantage of every single opportunity Oakland University gave us in regards to training opportunities. So my dogs went to basketball games, baseball games, um, other sporting events. They, um, went with me to extracurricular activities, whether that be involvement in our student organization and/or other student organizations or student congress events.
And then I also had the privilege of having two on-campus jobs that welcomed my future leader dogs into their community. So I was a secretary at the honors college for a semester, and my puppies went with me every single day and just hung out in the office. And then I also had the privilege of working for the entirety of my master's degree for a professor who absolutely loved the program, and he actually allowed me to keep a kennel in our student lounge of our lab.
Mm. Um, so I was able to have a laboratory Labrador. And, um, he was, he's a very studious guy, and now he's actually a working guide dog [00:10:00] at a university. Oh. Insane.
Alyssa: Incredible. Yeah,
Mackenzie: it's lovely
Timothy: So what was the atmosphere like with all these students, and you're working this dog when you go to classes and stuff?
Were they excited, or they just ignored the dog and, you know, be like they're supposed to be?
Mackenzie: You know, it really changed over the course of those six years I was at the university. Um, so during my first couple puppies, um, so I always tell my puppy raisers about an experience I had with my first puppy, where I was a f- brand new puppy raiser.
It was my first time taking him to a lecture, and it's of course this cute, adorable little eight pound bowling ball that I'm carrying around.
Alyssa: Yeah.
Mackenzie: And, um, somebody just ran up to my desk while my puppy was sleeping and started petting my dog. And I very ungraciously said, "No." Didn't know at the time how to advocate and communicate what my puppy was for, but I, I learned over the course of the four dogs.
Um, but I'm also very proud of how much our community has learned. Um, and I can't tell you over the [00:11:00] course of my last two times rai- or my last two experiences raising a future leader dog that anyone has come up to me and pet my dog without permission. Like, we have- Wow ... grown as a community and We're producing a group of students that are able to go out into the world and know how to appropriately interact with service dogs and service dogs in training.
Leslie: That's such a good point of just, like, advocacy and education, and it's on all different aspects of this. Like, what you guys are doing are so impactful for the blindness and low vision community. But you're absolutely right. There's that other education piece, and your campus is now thinking about how to interact with, or not interact with, more importantly, uh, service animals, and thinking about accessibility and access and, and rights and things like that.
So we have had Dr., uh, Graham Harper on the podcast as well because this Oakland University puppy raising program has grown so much. Can you tell us a little bit more about your leadership role in overseeing kind of all the other maybe newer puppy raisers?
Mackenzie: Absolutely. [00:12:00] So I really jumped into a leadership role my first year as a puppy raiser.
So I stepped into the Leader Dog mission and communication chair my first year at Oakland University. Um, and this allowed me to be that big liaison between the university, Leader Dog, and our student organization. Um, from there, I served as the vice president for a year, and then for the last four and a half years of my time at Oakland University, I served as the president.
Wow. Um, so big leadership roles in that retrospect. Um, and then also I stepped into a role as a puppy counselor for the last, um, two years, so the majority of my master's degree at Oakland University, and it's a role I still hold. And with my move to Colorado lingering in the very near future- Yes ... it's a role that I am so heartbroken to relinquish 'cause I absolutely love the campus community.
I love the students, and I love the incredible puppy raisers that have come into my life. Like, besides me, we've had 33 other students take up a leash and- Wow ... be student puppy raisers [00:13:00] themselves, which I think has been the absolute highlight of my time at Oakland University, is watching other students take that leap of faith and take on the role of being a puppy raiser.
Alyssa: Wow. And, and the way that you've grown this program, too, you're leaving a, a legacy. Mm-hmm. Honestly. You're, you're changing the future of, of guide dog raising, and that is something to be super proud of because I know that you are a, a mini celebrity here at Leader Dog. Mm-hmm. Absolutely. Um, because everybody knows all of the incredible work you've done.
But, but to be able to spread that to 30, eventually 40, 50, si- you know, hundreds of dogs, hopefully, at some point.
Mackenzie: Right. And not only that, but we have, at any given semester, we have anywhere from 240 to 280 members. And I know for a fact, just because of the education that we instill in our members, that each and every one of those students knows the difference between a service dog, a service dog in training, an emotional support animal, a therapy animal- I love that
and a household pet. Um, so we take a lot of pride in making sure our students are very socially [00:14:00] aware and- Prepared to advocate, uh, for those that need it most, so. So,
Timothy: Mackenzie, if somebody's listening, you're in college. H- how did you balance this? How did you do this, studying and taking care of a dog and your social events?
How did you do it?
Mackenzie: I will be the first person to say it will have its highs and lows, but looking back, there's not a single second that I regret. Um, I had an incredible support system. Um, so my parents, um, don't do what I do. I brought home a couple puppies without permission. But, um, thankfully, thankfully, my parents are extremely supportive and very much so animal lovers.
Um, so they took it in stride. Um, and I also had an incredible group of students. Um, they are known as our campus buddies at Oakland University. So these students are kind of like our assistants. Mm. Um, and they help out during classes, lectures, or exams that that puppy necessarily wouldn't be successful in.
Um, and they babysit that puppy, um, at the honors college at Oakland University. So if [00:15:00] it weren't for my parents and if it weren't for those individuals, um, I would not have been able to balance puppy raising, so I'm incredibly grateful for their kindness and their help in this journey.
Leslie: That's incredible.
I also just don't think you sleep. Yeah. Right? There's, there's no way you are sleeping and accomplishing all these things.
Mackenzie: Honestly, if you guys saw my Google Calendar, I think you would be a little intimidated. Yeah. 'Cause everything is color-coded. Oh, I love it already. Um, I- We're obsessed. Yeah. I used to be such a type B person, um, and then I brought home my first puppy.
I- And then they crafted me into a very strict type
Alyssa: A person. You have to. Yeah. You have a kid now. You know what? And all of a sudden, you gotta, gotta be more organized and prepared.
Mackenzie: They love structure and routine, and now so do I.
Alyssa: That's great.
Leslie: That's phenomenal. So what, what's happening now? You said you're kinda having to hand over some of these other responsibilities.
What has that been like, kind of tasking somebody else and preparing them for these roles that you've had for several years?
Mackenzie: Right. So actually, this transition started long before I graduated. So, [00:16:00] um, I started vetting out people really during my second year in that presidency role. Um, and bringing them up through the ropes.
And I have left the student organization with eight incredible young individuals who are going to grow it into the future. Like, I have not a single doubt in my mind that this program will continue to thrive over the years, and I am so excited to kinda watch from the sidelines and see how it continues to progress into the future, and the impacts that they are already making within our campus community.
Alyssa: And the changes that they're making are, are gonna be long-lasting. Absolutely. I mean, the things that they are doing is, uh, are now gonna be going out. They might even be working with somebody on a college campus in Spain.
Mackenzie: Right,
Alyssa: exactly. You know? Like, so their world as puppy raisers is gonna open up, too, and, and to bring in that Leader Dog community.
Like you said, you've stayed in touch with some of, of the clients that you've-
Mackenzie: Yes ...
Alyssa: uh, had your dogs go to?
Mackenzie: So I have an incredible friendship with, uh, both of the individuals who [00:17:00] received dogs of mine. Um, so of my four that I raised, I had two medical career changes, and then two go off to graduate, and I'm gonna tell a little bit about their story, 'cause-
Alyssa: Please
Mackenzie: um, I think it's, it's such a small world when you hear this story. Mm-hmm. But my first puppy that graduated, graduated in January of 2023, and he is with a physical therapy student at the University of Madrid in Spain. Um, and then my most recent graduate, he graduated in January of 2026, and he is with a professor of physical therapy at the University of Madrid.
No way. And they are professor and student to one another. No. And it wasn't until during the client meet and greet here at Leader Dog that we found out about this, because it was just in casual conversation that I mentioned, "Oh, you know, I have another working dog at the University of Madrid." And he goes, and he threw out her name.
Oh. And I just, oh, I started crying my happy tears. I am notorious for crying happy tears. Um, but this just made my entire life. Like, the fact- I love it ... that two dogs that I [00:18:00] raised here at Oakland University are now having such a positive impact at the University of Madrid, two people that know each other, like, that's crazy to me.
It is such a small world.
Alyssa: That is wild. I have goosebumps. Yes. Yeah, I do too. That is, that is incredible.
Mackenzie: Yes.
Alyssa: I
Leslie: think it is. When you say small world, uh, that fits this organization so well. Like, so many puppy raisers communicate, and then they're like, their dogs are siblings, or then they find these other connections.
And- Right ... the community that Leader Dog creates is wild. You've got the client side, but it also so much intersects with our volunteers, and puppy raisers, and team members. So that's a fascinating story. It
Mackenzie: is. Like, I'm so grateful for their friendships and for their kindness. Actually, I was sending audio messages back and forth with one of my clients this morning.
I'm like, "You're not gonna believe what I'm doing today." "I'm gonna be on a podcast." And he goes, "I'm jealous." He's so fun. I love him, and he's grown to be one of my closest friends on the entire planet. Oh, that's wonderful.
Alyssa: I'm
Mackenzie: grateful for... that Henry, my future leader dog, [00:19:00] um, who's now a guide dog, brought us together.
Yes. So we're so similar. So when are you going
Alyssa: to, uh, Madrid? Yeah, no kidding. Oh my gosh. Actually, next
Mackenzie: summer. Are you? So yeah, one of my friends is having a wedding in the south of France, and I texted Danny, and I'm like, "Hey, you're only like a..." Or, oh, I just shouted out my client. I don't know if that's allowed.
That's okay.
Leslie: That's okay.
Mackenzie: Uh, but my client is Danny Sanchez, and he is a, in, lives in Madrid, and we're gonna go visit him next summer. So I am so excited, so over the moon. And yeah, I, I'm incredible gra- I'm incredibly grateful for his friendship, because he- He is so much like me. We live such similar lifestyles.
Not only is he on a college campus every day, but I used to take Henry to the gym with me almost every single day. Mm-hmm. And he would just be tethered to a kettlebell, and now I get videos of him doing the exact same thing, and I'm like, "I love this. This is awesome." Like, we've lived such parallel lives.
Like- Yes ... it's insane.
Alyssa: You set him up for success too, right? You perfectly prepared. Yeah, you
Mackenzie: prepared him.
Alyssa: I always say a huge portion, a huge portion of what our puppy raisers [00:20:00] do is preparing these dogs for, for where they're gonna go, but it's rare that they go to the exact same place- ... that you basically trained them at, so that is fantastic.
Mackenzie: Right, and it was such a coincidence too.
Alyssa: That is- Such a coincidence ... that is incredible, and you didn't even find out until you were chatting together.
Mackenzie: Nobody knew.
Alyssa: Oh, my goodness. Well, I mean, honestly, your whole story is incredible. I'm sure that you're gonna inspire some people. So what are some things that you would tell somebody who's interested in being a puppy raiser?
Mackenzie: Oh, my gosh. Go do it. Um. If there is a will, there is a way. Um, as someone who has raised four puppies, what... in a time of my life that I think will be one of the more stressful times of my life. Sure. Um, again, if there's a will, there's a way. My puppies have brought me my closest friends, my partner in life, and then a family within this organization that is making my move to Colorado such a heartbreaking and hard goodbye.
Um, it's not goodbye, it's an I'll see you later, but- That's it ... [00:21:00] um, yeah. I'm incredibly grateful for every opportunity that this organization has given me, and if you're interested in puppy raising, I'm gonna encourage you and challenge you to take that leap of faith and do it.
Timothy: So you're going to school in, uh, Colorado State?
Mackenzie: Yes,
Timothy: that's correct. Uh, so you're gonna learn to be a veterinarian. So what's, what's your occupational goals in life now since you've done all this?
Mackenzie: Oh, my gosh. So I would love to be a small animal veterinarian. Um- And potentially one day give back to the organization that has done so much for me. Um, like this organization has changed my life.
Um, and Dr. Smith and Dr. Wilson, they are not allowed to retire anytime soon. And they are
Alyssa: the-
Mackenzie: But ... the absolute biggest shoes to fill. But when that day does come- Yeah ... I would love to be a candidate.
Alyssa: Yeah.
Mackenzie: Love to be a candidate.
Alyssa: Yeah, our veterinary team is absolutely incredible. We have Dr. Smith and Dr.
Wilson, who work with all of our dogs. Mm-hmm. Dr., uh, Gail McCray, who's a theriogenologist. Right. I really hope I got that right. Sounded good. Um, sounded really good on my end, so, [00:22:00] um, but yeah, we would always welcome more, uh, skill.
Leslie: I have to ask, so you had told us the original story of how you got involved with Leader Dog at, in that lecture and reading the book.
Did, did you know you wanted to go into veterinary school prior to that, or has this like totally just shifted your direction in life?
Mackenzie: No, it completely shifted my direction in life. Okay. I actually went to Oakland University with the pot- w- with the intention of becoming a human medical doctor, so that's why my, my undergrad is a biomedical sciences degree with a specialty in human anatomy.
And it wasn't until my fourth year of schooling that I was like, "I can combine my passions," 'cause I love people, and I love animals. And it was through a, like I shadowed the vet team here at Leader Dog. Mm. And I was like, "Oh, yeah. Oh, we're making the swap." This is it. So yep. And I, I got offered a free master's degree, and it allowed me to kind of restructure my application for vet school, and now we're, we applied.
I actually only applied to three schools, and I got into my top choice, and I said- Wow. Yay ... [00:23:00] "Okay, we're doing it." Yeah. "We're making the jump."
Leslie: That's it. So I'm so excited. Everything happens for a reason. It does. You are definitely on the path that you're supposed to be. That's incredible. I'm so excited for you.
So we'll obviously maintain contact. We're not gonna lose you. You're going to Colorado, but your family is here, yes? You're local here?
Mackenzie: Yes,
Leslie: that's correct. In Rochester area?
Mackenzie: I grew up in Clarkston. Oh, not far. So not far from here at all. But I had not heard about Leader Dog until I was at Oakland University.
Wow. So I'm incredibly grateful for Oakland for introducing me to this organization.
Alyssa: Absolutely. Well, and we are grateful that you heard about Leader Dog because look at all that you have done. So, um, we want to thank you so much for joining us today, sharing about your puppy raising journey. I know I learned a lot.
I'm sure everybody's gonna be super excited to hear about it. And we wanna thank all of you guys for listening to the Taking the Lead podcast. I'm Melissa Otis with hosts Timothy Cugno and Leslie Hoskins. We hope you enjoyed learning about the on-campus puppy raising program and the important role Mackenzie plays as a puppy raiser.
Please join us next time as we continue to dive into the world of blindness.
Leslie: And if [00:24:00] you'd like to learn more about applying to Leader Dog or puppy raising, you can head to leaderdog.org or call us at 888-777-5332. Don't forget, you can reach us at takingthelead@leaderdog.org with any questions or ideas.
If you liked today's podcast, make sure to hit subscribe and check us out wherever podcasts stream.