 Von Beroldingen is a blind scientist who, with her guide dog Neoki, given to her through the program, has been able to continue her work for the California Department of Justice Criminalistics Institute Forensic Training Facility in Sacramento.Miller and La Rue, who portray CSI investigator characters Natalia Boa Vista and Walter Simmons on the television series "" presented von Beroldingen with the inaugural National Guide Dog Change A Life Award, to inaugurate National Guide Dog Month in 2011, as a testament to Cecilia's courage and example of how having a guide dog has enabled her to remain independent.In May 2009, Governors of multiple states issued proclamations in recognition of National Guide Dog Month, including California, Florida, Arizona, Mississippi, Nebraska and Illinois.