They were born without sight but have always had a clear vision of living life with courage and independence — strengthened now by their devoted new guide dogs.

At 16, when all of their friends were getting driver’s licenses, twins Stacy and Sara Patnode wanted guide dogs. The pair traveled to Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael, Calif., to meet and train with their first service animals, who would ultimately be lovingly called their “partners.”

With their first guide dogs by their sides sharing every major milestone along the way, the sisters found independence as they stepped into adulthood.

Now 47, Sara Patnode Soper of Waterville works in the Office of Accessibility and Disability Resources at the University of Toledo, providing academic and residential accommodations for studen

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