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Alumni News

Summer 2011 - Volume 18, Number 2

Theresa Duncan, editor

Send submissions to the editor via tape, phone, mail or e-mail tduncan@

We'd like to send our very special thanks to all of our alumni who, by their efforts or their example, refer others to our program.

Alumni News is available electronically, in Braille, and on audio CD. If you are able to access email and would like future issues sent to you electronically, please let Theresa Duncan know at tduncan@. Email allows us to get the news to you in a timely manner and is easy on the environment!

Table of Contents:

FROM YOUR ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

1. Welcome New GDB Alumni Association Board Members – Terry Christensen and Melissa Hudson

2. How Our Guides are Trained – Part 1: Basic Training, by Jeff Senge

3. Reach for the Stars Scholarship – Apply Today

NEWS FROM TRAINING AND AGS

1. New Student Residence Transition Plan, by Charles Nathan

2. GDB School Update, by Theresa Duncan

ALUMNI BULLETIN BOARD

N MEMORY IN MEMORIAM, IN TRIBUTE

GIFT SHOP NEWS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

FROM YOUR ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Welcome New GDB Alumni Association Board Members – Terry Christensen and Melissa Hudson!

Melissa Hudson is a proud Latina and graduate of Class 639 with her first Guide Dog, Anya.  Fluent in English, Spanish and Braille, she received her B.A. from California State University, San Bernardino in 1996.  She worked as an elementary, bilingual school teacher for several years before moving into the corporate world as a project manager for a global Internet consulting firm and later served as the National Sales Manager for the Latino Speakers Bureau.  Melissa found her true passion, however, as a speaker and advocate for Guide Dogs for the Blind, especially reaching out to underrepresented communities.  She also volunteers at the Braille Institute and at Charles H. Kim Elementary School.  Her husband is a GDB puppy raiser and they both are members of L.A. Southwest Guide Dog Raisers.  Melissa was honored at the GDB 2010 Alumni Reunion with the Forward Award.  She enjoys traveling travel around the U.S. and has taken adventures in Mexico, Canada, New Zealand and Nepal.

Terry M. Christensen, Ph.D., with guide Dutton, is a science historian. Terry is currently working on a biography of the renowned theoretical physicist John Archibald Wheeler. In an earlier career, Terry was a professional mariner who held a U.S. Merchant Marine Master’s License. In addition to his time at sea (typically ocean towing and salvage work, often in Alaskan waters), Terry also served as a maritime educator. Starting in January 2010, Terry began a two year term on the Board of Directors of The Peace Center in Langhorne, PA. For the last three years, Terry has also volunteered as an assistant coach for the wrestling team at George School in Newtown, PA.

How Our Guides Are Trained – Part 1: Basic Training

by Jeff Senge

This is the third article in a series, “Where our Guides Come From”. My first article presented the GDB breeding program, followed by an excellent article on puppy raising by Samantha Adams. This third article focuses on basic training; the fourth will cover advanced training and the final article will attempt to uncover the mystery and magic behind the matching of dog to human.

Basic training begins at “Phase 0”, also known as “the Arrival Period”. Before formal training begins, recalled puppies are introduced to the kennels and are taken on walks around campus. Canine Welfare Technicians (CWT) perform health screening, thoroughly inspecting each dog’s nose, teeth, eyes, ears, coat, skin, and feet. Any health-related concerns are noted and brought to the attention of the GDB Veterinary staff. Most dogs entering training are in excellent physical condition.

During their first week on campus, Veterinary staff weighs the dogs, X-ray their hips, and check their eyes. Each dog receives vaccinations for distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, parainfluenza, bordatella and rabies. Following their physical exam, each dog is assigned to a string and a training kennel. A string consists of 8 to 20 dogs. Instructors train four dogs at a time which enables them to work with each dog twice a day. As the instructors begin to build relationships with their dogs, they begin to understand how best to effectively motivate each dog to learn guidework.

Training staff works hard to ensure each dog has as smooth an adjustment to the kennels as possible. During this phase, the dogs are given walks around campus, enjoy individual and community play sessions with other dogs, human interactive play (cuddling) sessions, as well as kennel enrichment activities. Kennel enrichment is anything that stimulates the senses and puts the dog at ease in the kennel environment. Each dog is introduced to its kennel mate, is groomed daily and receives medication as needed.

In Phase 1, formal training begins in campus and in town by licensed instructors and apprentices. GDB uses what’s known as the BEST Guide Dog training method. BEST stands for Balanced Education System of Training, which includes the use of food reward and clicker training, also known as Operant Conditioning. According to the official GDB Training Manual, “Operant Conditioning means an animal intentionally performs a behavior in order to gain a desired reward.” This type of training enables the dog to make choices, learning on his/her own to perform the action which earns them the reward. Thus, they learn to perform the desired behavior in a positive context rather than just learning to avoid undesirable behavior because of a negative consequence. The BEST Guide Dog method engages the dog on a more interactive level allowing them to learn faster and enjoy the educational process much more. Personally, I think it probably does more for their confidence, too, because they get so much positive reinforcement with a minimum of negative correction during the training process. This allows the leash to be used to cue the dog toward the desired behavior rather than primarily for administering corrections. Common sense tells me this is the BEST way to go when training our dogs.

Early in Phase 1, our dogs begin formal obedience training. Using verbal cues along with clicker and food reward, sit, down, heel, and stay are built upon the training the puppies received in raiser homes. The come or recall command initially introduced by the puppy raisers is also practiced. During formal obedience training, precise positioning in relation to the handler is emphasized from the beginning so as not to develop bad habits which may later interfere with the handler’s orientation. Formal obedience is also used to teach our dogs focus at this stage. Distractions such as dogs, food, friendly people, scents, and balls are used to teach the dogs to maintain focus. Food and praise are used to reward and motivate the dog to focus on the handler during these training sessions. Food refusal is also learned during Phase 1 of training. Dogs are taught to politely accept food rewards from their handler and refuse food in all other situations -- no small feat with Labs!

An important skill our guides must learn early-on is to ride in a crate in the training van. During Phase 1, dogs are introduced to this prior to actually riding in the training van through use of a stationary simulator crate setup located in the kennel complex. Dogs learn to jump into and out of the mock crate configuration prior to being put into the actual training van. This assists them learn to ride comfortably, quietly, and politely wait for their turn to train with the instructor when they are in the field. Dogs are also exposed to comprehensive body handling to get them used to grooming, bathing, ear cleaning, teeth brushing, pilling, as well as feeding and playing during this phase. Behaviors generally not desirable to most vision impaired handlers such as excessive vocalization, jumping, and running into people are discouraged from the earliest point in formal training. Community run times are also utilized to teach the dogs to play appropriately with other dogs, and how to share toys.

Actual guidework training also begins during Phase 1. Dogs are introduced to the harness, treadmill, and pattern training. The dogs are introduced to the harness by first wearing it while standing, then progressing to walking around in it and finally by wearing it in relaxed settings. Treadmill sessions introduce the dog to the biomechanics of pulling into the harness and leading along with the verbal cues of forward, halt, and hopp-up. A comfortable gate and speed are identified for each dog. Lots of support, food rewards, and praise are lavished on each dog by the instructors during these sessions to ensure the dogs enjoy their time on the treadmill.

Pattern training, which takes place over several sessions throughout a two-week period, introduces guidework behaviors to young dogs. It provides a very positive experience avoiding the dog’s ability to make mistakes by cueing the dog toward the correct guide behavior. Pattern training includes: stopping at street crossings, or any other elevation changes, providing sufficient clearance for the handler, crossing streets on a line, maintaining a consistent pace, responding properly to standard verbal guide commands, stopping and standing calmly after a halt command, staying focused in the face of distraction, and leading the handler in 90 degree turns to the right or left picking up the new travel line. Dogs are worked in a variety of challenging environments during pattern training. At this early stage, intense areas are avoided, such as crowded urban areas with lots of loud noises and traffic.

Dogs are also taught to target up curbs using clicker training and food reward during their first phase of formal training. They learn to place their front feet up on the curb to alert the handler of the step up ahead. In addition, physical agility is worked on with the dogs. The agility our dogs are taught is very different from that taught pet dogs. Guide dogs need to be taught how to navigate low height obstacles in a controlled and carefully measured way. Confidence on uneven surfaces, stairs, and escalators is learned by our dogs through this type of specialized agility training. Since dogs do not naturally move backwards and they also must learn how to physically backup through the use of a backup chute. Backing up will be important in future traffic avoidance training where they are taught to speed up, stop, hold, and back up. Through the use of clicker and food reward, this becomes a positive and fun activity for our dogs.

All of us remember the GDB campus obstacle course we worked with our new guides morning, noon, and night during training. What you might not have known is our guides were introduced to the campus obstacle course as early as Phase 1 of their formal training, helping them learn how to safely navigate the team past objects while the instructor patterns desired behavior using leash cues and encouraging the dog to walk slightly ahead of the instructor. Initially, courses are specifically designed so the dog doesn’t need to stop while navigating the course. The campus obstacle course will increase in difficulty to reflect the dog’s level of training as he/she moves through the phases of training.

A few weeks into the program, the dogs advance to Phase 2, reinforcing and building on the fundamentals learned in Phase 1 with increased challenges. They work in town and start to learn to responsibly lead. Obedience training introduces added challenges by increasing the proximity of distractions, introducing a variety of dogs, foods, increasingly solicitous people, as well as such things as unusual sound and smells. In addition, the verbal cue “over here” is added to the dog’s vocabulary. This cue directs the dog to move behind the handler’s back to their right side to allow for safe passage through a left hinged or revolving door.

Throughout this phase, the dogs continue to adjust to the kennels and learn to accept body handling. Grooming, pilling, bathing, ear cleaning, teeth brushing, feeding, and playing are simulated in a way these things would be done by a blind or visually impaired handler. Dogs are taught to lie on their sides and roll over, positioning themselves so care can be comfortably provided when necessary. The CWTs continue to focus on kennel enrichment activities, relaxing time in community runs, as well as grooming and campus walks.

CWTs provide dogs continuing to demonstrate sensitivity to wearing the harness with additional specialized training. Advanced pattern training continues with instructors allowing dogs increased freedom to make decisions and make mistakes. Using the same correction techniques a handler will learn to use later, instructors cue dogs toward correct decisions and away from errors before they occur to help keep the dog from becoming confused. Working under blindfold, the instructor works to get each dog to consistently respond to verbal cues and maintain a straight travel line using only minimal leash gestures.

Dogs in the second phase of training receive additional up curb training in town. Used only during street crossings, the curb cue tells the dog to work to the up curb as efficiently as possible. Physical agility training focuses on reinforcing the dog’s ability to responsibly lead. Distraction setups are used as a means of reinforcing the dog’s ability to work past varied and unpredictable distractions. In addition, obstacle course work continues. By this time, most dogs have learned to guide their instructors through the clearance course with leash cues that mimic how a guide dog team might move. At this point, the course design is made more difficult. More angled clearances are added for the dog to learn to navigate safely without stopping.

As dogs advance from Phase 2 to Phase 3, they undergo preliminary testing. Dogs are expected to demonstrate their understanding of the sit, down, heel, come, and stay commands, and to successfully respond to these commands amid mild distractions with consistency and a single verbal cue. In addition, dogs are assessed for food refusal as well as general body handling. Focus and response are also evaluated and documented by the training supervisor during preliminary testing.

An instructor must successfully work a dog under blindfold approximately 10 blocks in an urban or suburban area for the dog to pass the preliminary guidework test. During this test, the dog must demonstrate an understanding of safe guidework skills and focus on work and the handler. Obedience testing is usually performed along the route when distractions occur. Dogs either pass or fail preliminary testing. Dogs that pass, progress to advanced guidework training. Dogs that fail receive further training and are retested when they are ready.

Following preliminary testing, dogs that pass continue their training as in Phase 2. Specific training areas will include difficult distractions, body handling acceptance, guidework in harness, pattern training, physical agility, and obstacle course work. By this point, most dogs assume the responsibilities of guide work. The dogs generally respond to forward and lead out maintaining their drive and only requiring an occasional leash or verbal cue. They obey turn commands and drive out of turns picking up and maintaining their new line of travel. Throughout the entire training process, the CWTs continue providing our dogs with kennel enrichment, grooming care, play-time, as well as campus walks to enable dogs in training to maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle conducive to the rigor of training.

The dogs that successfully pass their preliminary testing and complete Phase 3 are ready to progress to advanced guidework training, Phase 4: intelligent disobedience. The next article in this series will focus on advanced training and present Phase 4 through Phase 8 of formal training. Dogs will master intelligent disobedience, traffic training and city work, urban challenges, and advanced training concluding their training with final testing and pre-matching. By the end of article four, our dogs will be class ready.

I would like to extend a special thanks to Patrick Glines, one of GDB’s Master Instructors on the Oregon campus for his assistance with this article. I appreciate all the information he provided me with as well as his willingness to review my final draft of this article. Thank you Patrick, your help has been invaluable throughout this project.

Reach for the Stars Scholarship 2011, Apply Today!

Thanks to the generosity of GDB Alumna Gina Harper, the Guide Dogs for the Blind Alumni Association invites you to apply for the Reach for the Stars, Solidoff Children’s Scholarship. This is a $1,500 scholarship for GDB Alumni who are pursuing post secondary education or training. The scholarship funds can be used to help offset costs of tuition, books, supplies, adaptive equipment, etc.

To apply please submit the following: (electronic format preferred when possible)

Proof of enrollment in an accredited college, university, technical or trade school in North America.

High school or college transcripts

An essay detailing what your future plans are and how the Reach for the Stars Scholarship will help you attain your career goals.

Please send the above to:

Guide Dogs for the Blind

Attn. Theresa Duncan

PO Box 151200

San Rafael, CA 94912

Or email to: tduncan@

Submission deadline is Sept. 15, 2011

The Alumni Association Board of Directors Scholarship Committee will choose a winner by September 15, 2011. Good Luck!

NEWS FROM TRAINING AND ADMISSIONS AND GRADUATE SERVICES

New Student Residence Transition Plan

by Charles Nathan, Director of Training, San Rafael

After much anticipation, we are delighted to confirm plans to build a new, state-of-the-art student residence on our San Rafael campus, scheduled for completion in the spring of 2013.  The current dormitory is scheduled for demolition in early 2012.   In order to provide a seamless transition and maintain our quality services during the 15 months of construction all classes in California will be hosted from a local hotel, Inn Marin, located a few miles north of the San Rafael campus in the town of Novato.    

In 2012, during construction, the San Rafael campus will offer 20 classes, 12 two-week classes for first-time students or retrains and eight three-week classes for first-time students or retrains depending on individual client preferences.  Two-week classes will consist of six students with a two-to-one student-instructor ratio, while three-week classes will consist of nine students with a three-to-one student-instructor ratio.    Our Oregon campus will continue to offer 24 two-week classes with a two-to-one student-instructor ratio for first-time and retrain students during this same time period.     

GDB will occupy 14 single rooms within a separate wing of Inn Marin, a beautiful, single story, ranch style hotel.  Amenities within each guestroom include:  a bathroom with shower, a television, wireless internet access, refrigerator, and plenty of space to comfortably accommodate a Guide Dog. The front door of each room accesses a beautifully landscaped courtyard with aromatic fruit trees, walking paths, and a swimming pool.  Each room has a backdoor for access to a parking lot that will be transformed into a convenient, safe, shaded, privately enclosed leash-relieving area, very similar to how the new San Rafael student residence relieving area is designed.  Two of the 14 rooms will be transformed into a kitchen and a dining room where our current dormitory staff will prepare and serve the same high-quality meals.   The hotel has also graciously agreed to allow our dormitory staff to assume responsibility for all housekeeping duties.  Additional rooms will accommodate the needs of our instructor, nursing and residence advisor staff. 

In California, class training will continue to take place predominately in the same areas of San Rafael and San Francisco, and we will customize our program to meet the individual needs of our students.  Due to the success of our two-week program for first-time students in Oregon over the past 18 months, we are very pleased and excited to also offer this option to first-time students in San Rafael starting in 2012.    

GDB will continue to have graduations following each class, the location of which will be confirmed soon. 

GDB and Inn Marin have enjoyed a close working relationship over the past several years and we look forward to this new association.    You can visit the Inn Marin website at to learn more about the hotel.  If you have any further questions please contact our Admissions Department or visit our website at .

GDB School Update

by Theresa Duncan, Alumni Association Director

Each summer representatives from all the guide dog training schools in the US are invited to participate in the meetings of the National Association of Guide Dog Users and Guide Dog Users International. At these meetings we are asked to give a brief update on the happenings at our respective schools. I thought I would share our update with all of you as I know many of you were not able to attend. I hope you enjoy!

GDB is comprised of an interdependent family of departments working together to fulfill a common mission. Each year GDB strives to better improve upon our services and when information is gathered from all departments it is amazing to see the progress we have made. In fiscal year 2010 we graduated 322 Guide Dog Teams, settled into our new training protocols, established our first Puppy Raising Club in Texas, hosted a fabulous homecoming weekend for our alumni and so much more! Here are a few highlights provided by various department managers that may be of interest to you!

Puppy Raising

The Puppy Raising program continues to provide excellent support and training to the approximately 900 puppy raising homes in the eight Western States and Texas. The Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex has successfully been added as the most recent puppy raising territory for GDB.

Dog Placement

The Dog Placement program at GDB places more than 200 dogs per year as companion animals, K9 Buddies for blind children, and with other service organizations to serve as therapy dogs and animals that provide support and companionship to individuals with a variety of social, emotional and physical needs.

Training

Class Program Status – Initiated in April of ’09, our improvements to the class program are now well established. Two-week programs with a maximum of two clients per instructor are now the standard offering at the Pacific Northwest campus. Beginning in early 2012, the California campus will offer a balanced schedule of some two-week classes (maximum of two clients per instructor) and some three-week classes (maximum of three clients per instructor). Exit survey feedback and field interviews are clearly indicate overwhelming approval for these highly customized, more intimate classes. Clients can specify a preference for a particular class type or location when applying for admission.

Campus improvements - In the upcoming year, San Rafael will build a new student residence. The new residence building will feature single rooms with all the conveniences of home along with a cozy fireside lounge, two student resource rooms, grooming facilities, a fitness center with a therapy pool, a covered relieving area, an assembly room for indoor graduations on rainy days, and much more! During construction classes will be housed at a local hotel. We expect the dorm to be completed by spring 2013.

All residence rooms on the Oregon campus have been converted to comfortable private bedroom suites with flat screen TV and adjacent sitting area with recliner, refrigerator and wireless internet access

Clients attending classes in Oregon have the option of focusing on the urban environment while training with their new dog. The majority of an individual’s routes can be staged at the Portland Center. This downtown meeting space acts as a hub for teams wanting immediate access to heavier pedestrian and vehicular traffic, light rail and other public transportation, office buildings and escalators, and all that goes along with traveling in the city. Students can spend the day there, having their mid-day meal break in our comfortable facility or eating at one of the many nearby restaurants. Travel time is minimized, relevant instructional time is maximized! Those who desire a majority of suburban or rural exposure have that option, too.

Handling techniques and options for our clients are ever broadening. With a better understanding of canine learning, an emphasis on positive reinforcement, and repeated examples of how primary reinforcers (food!) can accelerate progress to desired behaviors, Guide Dog users are now communicating even more effectively with their partners and have additional strategies for addressing goals and challenges.

Information Access – the Training Department looks for good ways to get useful information to our clients. By providing class material in advance, and in a format of individual preference, incoming students can arrive with a better understanding of guide dog concepts and practicalities. As a result, they attend our program spending more quality hands-on time with their dog and less time listening to lectures. The instructor team is always ready to further discuss and explain theory and practice as they tailor the program for the individual. Everyone attending class has the use of a Victor Reader Stream and can refer to class materials at their convenience. Additionally, current instructional material is posted (in DAISY, text and Mp3 formats) on our public website in the Alumni section.

Information is a two way street; clients have several ways to direct ideas and suggestions to us. Online exit surveys are now available as an additional alternative to exit interviews. Feedback also comes from post-graduate calls conducted by members of the Alumni Association. Further, individuals can provide ideas and suggestions through our public website. A call to the Admissions and Graduate Services Department is another way to get questions answered and suggestions considered.

Alumni Association

Homecoming – In the fall of 2010 more than 150 GDB alumni, puppy raisers, family and friends gathered in San Rafael to share a weekend filled with great opportunities to connect with old friends and make new ones. The event culminated in a fabulous outdoor awards banquet. We look forward to our next reunion in 2012!

GDB Speaker’s Series – The Alumni Association launched a quarterly speaker’s series held via conference call. We have covered topics such as access and advocacy, travel with your Guide Dog and how to start an Alumni Chapter.

Alumni Chapters – We have added several new Alumni Association Chapters this year including the very popular Tech Dogs Chapter for all you gadget gurus to share info about the latest and greatest in accessible technology.

Reflections Blog – With the help of the Marketing and Communications Department, the Alumni Association has created a special blog called Reflections where we can memorialize our canine partners and share our memories of them with words and photos. (send your tributes and photos to jritter@)

Graduate Services

GDB Road Show – In cooperation with the Outreach and Alumni Association Departments Grad Services took the GDB show on the road. In Seattle, Austin, and Tucson we offered training for local O&Ms, a Guide Dog Lifestyle Workshop for potential applicants, and a reunion luncheon for our alumni. We plan on continuing this program in the next year, so watch for us in a city near you!

Follow-up – We are pleased to continue our annual follow-up program. Each year you will receive a call from a Field Manager or instructor staff member. We can discuss any issues at that time and whether you have a need for an in-home visit.

VFA – please check for updates in the Alumni News. We will continually put out tips on using the VFA specifically for wellness visits, flea and heartworm preventative, and information on our phone line.

Human Resources

Resolution Training: At the fiscal year-end, 110 of GDB’s San Rafael campus employees will have completed 24 hours of Resolution Training, a process for communication, project and conflict management

EthicsPoint: In an effort to promote safety, security and ethical behavior, in December,

GDB launched a phone and web-based reporting system, managed by an outside company, for employees to communicate concerns confidentially and anonymously.

Executive Search: With Morgan Watkins appointed by the Board of Directors to serve as the Acting President and CEO, the Azzani Search Consultants firm has been retained to work with the Board Search Committee to recruit GDB’s next President and CEO.

Director of Development: Following Andy Eber’s retirement in December, Tom Horton, Director of Planned Giving, as appointed to serve as Acting Director of Development, The search for a regular Director of Development will resume after the CEO is hired.

Employee Wellness Program: Having piloted a series of employee wellness initiatives in order to prevent injuries and improve overall health, employees in our CA and OR Training and Kennel Departments have been enjoying a variety of wellness activities, including yoga, massage, core strength training and a series of lunch and learn sessions.

ALUMNI BULLITEN BOARD

Marilyn Lind and her black Lab Guide Dog Laidley were featured on the cover of the June issue of “Community Partner Connection” for their work visiting cancer patients at St. Francis Health Center.  Many of the patience knew her previous dog, Jaguar, as well. Thanks for all the good work you do Marilyn!

Bonnie Foerster would like to announce that she just graduated with her new Guide Dog, Jaycee. She would love to hear from all her GDB friends; you can call her at: (801) 966-8556

Congratulations to Hy Cohen; he has recently been appointed as a commissioner for the City of Lodi Animal Commission. He looks forward to having an opportunity to educate law enforcement officers on legislation regarding the treatment of service animals.

Check out GDB Graduate Ryan Scott’s new book, Scary Lions, Journey of a Blind Psychologist, an autobiography, written by voice activated computer software, in which, he details his Guide Dog experience. The book is available at , Kindle E-Books: Your can preview the book by going to:

Congratulations Larry Marcum who was honored at the Lion’s Convention with the MD-4 Excellence Award and the highly coveted District 4-C1 Lion of the Year Award. “Galleon” his Guide Dog was also recognized and received the Governor's Service Award Patch. Way to go guys!

Attention Canadian Grads - Craig Nicole wants to let you know that if you are looking for a good place to purchase your flea and heart worm preventatives for your guides, he suggests you check out Pet Meds in Florida. He found that Pet Meds 1 800 pet meds (738 6337) charge less than Petco for both product ($20 less for 12 months) and the shipping is $30. Pet Meds ships by mail so when you get the product at the door there is a postal import charge ($5 service charge & the HST). Pet meds phone order works very well with payment by charge card and e mail to confirm shipment. You need to be prepared to wait a while to receive the shipment, it should come in 3 to 4 weeks .

Alysa Chadow (OR137, June, 2007) has just had one of her poems published in the summer 2011 issue of KALEIDOSCOPE magazine.  This is a journal devoted to art, fine art, and disability, and is published by United Disability Services of Akron, Ohio.  The poem is about an experience she and her guide Ellen had while traveling in Norway three summers ago.  You can email her at achadow@ if you want to know more about the poem and where to get it!

GDB Graduate Susan Krieger’s book Traveling Blind can now be found in many accessible formats check out her webpage to learn more:



Leonard Decker and Guide Dog want to encourage you to help out shelter dogs! Here's a link to play Freekibble Trivia and help feed shelter dogs and cats for free! They donate 10 pieces of kibble for each answer (right or wrong), each day you play: Every dog and cat deserves a decent dinner!

Kudos to Bill Gates with guide “Paseo” who recently was honored as Employee of the Year from Careers Disability magazine

IN MEMORIAM, IN MEMORY, IN TRIBUTE

In Memoriam – Remembering GDB Alumni who have died.

Ms. Latrisha Leavitt of Las Vegas, NV, with female yellow Lab guide “Regal”,  (CA 660 - December 2005)

Ms. Kathie Korpolinski of Austin, TX, with female Golden Retriever guide “Nance”, (CA 630 - December 2002)

In Memory – Remembering guides who have died

“Kinney”, retired male Lab/Golden Cross guide for Bill Landis of Turlock, CA (OR 65 – June 2001)

“Rhoda”, retired female yellow Lab guide for Cherry Strunk of Prineville, OR (OR 64 – June 2001)

“Marge”, female yellow Lab guide for Lisa Schumacher of New Hope, Minnesota (OR 77 – July 2002)

“Parsley”, female Golden Retriever guide for Vicki Jack of Springfield, OR (OR 68 – September 2001)

“Chaya”, female yellow Lab guide for Marla Burns of Oroville, CA (CA 689 – November 2008)

“Greg”, male Golden Retrieve guide for Linda Webb of Carrolton, TX (OR 49 – March 2000)

“Roselle”, female yellow Lab guide for Michael Hingson of Novato, CA (CA 600 – December 1999)

“Arbor”, male yellow Lab guide for Jonathan Hill of Olathe, KS (CA 625 – June 2002)

“Hobbit”, retired female yellow Lab guide for Jeff Senge of San Clemente, CA (CA 625 – June 2002)

“Freida”, retired female yellow Lab guide for Vickie Kennedy of Ewa Beach, HI (CA 605 – June 2000)

“Raffia”, retired female German Shepherd guide for Linda Al-Molky of Helston, Cornwall, UK (CA 607 – September 2000)

“Promise”, retired female yellow Lab guide for LaDoris Kelsey of Kearns, UT (CA 604 – May 2000)

IN TRIBUTE – Guides that have retired

“Carnation”, female yellow Lab guide for Roxanne Calibraro of Arlington Heights, IL (CA 625 – June 2002)

“Cardigan” male yellow Lab guide for Andrea Rossi of Calgary, Alberta, CA (CA 625 – June 2002)

“Cameo”, female yellow Lab guide for Debby Clark of Deer Park, WA (OR 74 – April 2002)

“Brianna”, female yellow Lab guide for Kyla Chittenden of Broken Arrow, OK (OR 99 – August 2003)

“Hercules” male yellow Lab/Golden Cross for Louise Johnson of Surrey, BC (CA 667 – September 2006)

“Sherbet”, female yellow Lab guide for Natalie Martiniello of St Leonard, QC, CA (CA 634 – May 2003)

GIFT SHOP NEWS – June 2011

Listed below are new items that have arrived in the gift shop recently:

Goughnut Stick: Your dog will love the GoughNuts Stick. He can fetch on land or water, because like all GoughNuts, the stick floats! Supplied with a two-layered patent pending visual indicator and a lifetime guarantee from the manufacturer. The GoughNut stick is nine inches long, two inches around and weighs approximately one pound. Find out about the manufacturer's guarantee at . $18.00

To Go Tumbler with Straw: No more paper cups! You will enjoy using this 16 oz. double wall acrylic tumbler with straw over and over and over again! Hand wash. Not intended for microwave use. BPA Free, Does not sweat, color of straw may vary. $9.00

Coffee Mug: This may be the last mug you’ll ever need! Made of ultra-durable, break-resistant plastic, this 11-ounce mug is a stylish way to enjoy your favorite hot or cold beverage. Microwave and top-rack dishwasher safe. Cobalt blue with white imprint of the GDB logo and encircled with white paw prints. $6.00

Pen: Sign on the dotted line with a little bit of GDB flair! This pen makes a perfect gift (comes in a gift box), and is a nice addition to any office or desk. Navy blue and silver; imprinted with “Guide Dogs for the Blind” in white. $8.00

Buddy Splash Spritzer & Conditioner: Free dogs from D.O. (Doggy Odor) with Buddy Splash, specially formulated to deodorize, soften, and refresh furry friends between baths or on the go. It's the perfect touch for lasting freshness! All Natural, use as a leave-in conditioner or between baths as an instant deodorizer, made with pure botanical extracts and natural conditioners, pH-balanced for dog's skin and coat, deodorizes, softens, and refreshes , alcohol free, safe to use with topical flea treatments

Available in two light and refreshing herbal scents: Lavender & Mint; Green Tea & Bergamot -- 4 fl. oz. ingredients: Deionized water, natural conditioner base, aloe vera juice, essence of lavender or rosemary, essence of mint, wheat protein extract (natural deoderizing agent), vitamin C, vitamin B5. $5.00

Please check our website periodically or call the gift shop phone order line for new merchandise updates. You can order Gift Shop merchandise online at shop or call 800-295-4050 or 415-492-4151 and our volunteers will take your order by telephone.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Dog Relief Area at Washington Dulles Airport

For those of you who travel in and around Washington, DC, you will be glad to know that there is a new pet relief area inside of the secure zone at Dulles Airport, replete with a water bowl, baggies, hand-sanitizer. The area is fenced and has indoor-outdoor carpeting and even a fire hydrant. When you are finished with the room, you push a big red button and some sprinklers come on to self clean.

The relief area is located across from the D1 gate, near where you cross to the C Gates. There is a set of elevators right next to the doorway. A metal carpet strip crosses the hallway at the point where you turn into the room.

9thth National Guide and Assistance Dog Conference

PAWS International invites you, to attend our 9thth National Guide and Assistance Dog Conference,(GADC),to be held October 13, 14 & 15, 2011 at the Hilton, Vancouver Metrotown Hotel, Burnaby, BC, Canada.

 

The conference will follow a similar program as previous years.

Thursday evening banquet with entertainment, silent and live auction.

Friday and Saturday seminars on dog-related topics and time for networking and socializing.

 

You can download a registration form from our website: ; a form can be sent by email that you can print off, fill out and mail back, or you can register via telephone with Visa by contacting secretary@

 Also, if any of you have appropriate “show and tell” items that you would like to present, please contact, Wendy Galt with the relevant details.

 

On behalf of PAWS International, we very much look forward to seeing you at our GADC this year!

 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact

 

Rosamund van Leeuwen, Chair,

PAWS International

Email: rosamund@electriceye.ca

Phone: 604- 922-9339

Or

Wendy Galt, Secretary/Treasurer

Email: secretary@

Phone: 604- 464- 9133

***

GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND

P.O. BOX 151200

SAN RAFAEL, CA 94915

(415) 499-4000

32901 SE KELSO ROAD

BORING, OR 97009

(503) 668-2100

(800) 295-4050



Please notify AGS if you have

changed your address, phone or e-mail

AGS e-mail address:

igraduate@

2011 Alumni Association Board Meetings:

March 5, 2011, June 4, 2011, Sept. 21, 2011 Dec. 3, 2011,

Alumni Association Board of Directors

Officers

Jeffrey Senge / Fodi

Board Chair

San Clemente, CA

714-337-0065 (Mobile)

jsenge@

Judy Mathews / Sachet

Vice Chair

Orlando, FL

407/ 963-8677 (Mobile)

jmathews@

Samantha Adams / Gilbert

Secretary

Gold River, CA 95670

916-903-7065

sadams@

Members at Large

Becky Andrews / Cricket

Nominating Committee Chair

Bountiful, UT

801/259-3883 (Mobile)

bandrews@

Roxanne L. Calibraro / Zaga

Advocacy Committee Chair

Arlington Heights, IL

847-828-0353 (Mobile)

rcalibraro@

Terry Christensen / Dutton

Bensalem, PA

(267) 568- 2195 (Mobile)

tchristensen@

Martin Courcelles / Laton

East York, OT

(416) 659-6314 (Mobile)

mcourcelles@

Melissa Hudson / Anya

Los Angeles, CA

(626) 429-6883 (Mobile)

mhudson@

Deborah Kendrick / Flo

Communications Committee Chair

Cincinnati, OH

513-673-4474 (Mobile)

dkendrick@guidedogs.co

Jennifer McEachen / Nixon

Outreach Committee Chair

Prince George, BC

250-962-0008 (Home)

250-962-6441 (Mobile)

jmceachen@

George Kerscher / Mikey

GDB Board of Directors Representative

Missoula, MT

406-549-4687 (Mobile)

gkerscher@

Paul Walker / Avanti

Immediate Past Chair / Ex Officio Member

Bexley, OH

614-306-7754 (Mobile)

pwalker@

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