Alumni-News-Spring-Summer-2013_FINAL

Alumni News – Spring/Summer 2013 Volume 20, Number Theresa Stern, Director of Alumni and Outreach Services, Editor Send submissions to the editor via tape, phone, mail or e-mail tstern@guidedogs.com Alumni Association Mission Statement The Alumni Association will support the vision of GDB of “using our power of partnering to improve quality of life” by building a strong sustainable community of support among our Alumni We will work to support Alumni success with their guide, in building relationships with others, and actively participating in the greater GDB community Alumni Association Board of Directors Mission Statement Connecting Our Community through Leadership, Advocacy, Communication and Outreach We'd like to send our very special thanks to all of our Alumni who, by their efforts and 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 Stern know at tstern@guidedogs.com Email allows us to get the news to you in a timely manner and is easy on the environment! Table of Contents From the President and CEO From Your Alumni Association - Keeping Fido Fit, by Keith Kramlinger - Healthy Ears, by Becky Andrews - Infectious Diseases – Vet Q&A, by Keith Kramlinger - 2013 Alumni Reunion – Join Us! - Reach for the Stars Scholarship - Survey Says! - Alumni Association Board Welcomes New Members and Elects New Officers Staff Spotlight - Getting to Know Marc Gillard GDMI - A Q&A with Pat Cook - Welcome Jane Neglia, Outreach Manager As We See It - Guide Dog Teams Welcome at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, by Maile George Alumni Bulletin Board In Memoriam, In Memory, In Tribute Gift Shop News Announcements FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO Though I’ve been part of the GDB board since 2008, my personal history with our community begins much earlier My first experience was as a volunteer docent, where I had the privilege of sharing GDB’s life-changing programs and services with curious visitors The more time I spent introducing others to our work, values and mission, the more my connection with the GDB family deepened I began to understand how remarkable the connection between our guides and our clients can be My own aunt was blind, and I could not imagine a better companion for her than a GDB guide On top of these personal connections, I even had the opportunity to adopt a retired guide, who instantly became a beloved member of my family Even after all of these experiences, however, I continue to be humbled and inspired every day by the people who make GDB’s work possible GDB represents thousands of passionate volunteers, staff members, alumni and many others, all bound together by shared life stories and experiences Over the years these personal connections have created a community and culture that truly embodies GDB’s mission Because I consider the work of GDB so important, it is an honor for me to serve as the organization’s interim president and CEO Since our founding in 1942, GDB has positively impacted the lives of countless adults and children, helping them to develop deep bonds with both their guide dogs and our larger community As GDB continues growing and evolving, we remain committed to this ongoing legacy of providing superior support services, training and connection Our latest newsletter spotlights two dynamic GDB staff members whose contributions are some of the many reasons GDB is an international leader in guide dog training First you will be introduced to Marc Gillard and learn about his important work in GDB’s new Support Center There’s also a Q and A with Pat Cook, who is deeply involved with supporting puppy raisers and developing GDB’s dog training techniques I hope you find Marc and Pat’s stories as interesting as I did We’re also excited to welcome Jane Neglia with Guide Dog “Anja” to the GDB staff as our new Outreach Manager and Theresa Stern to her new position at GDB as Director of Alumni and Outreach Services! Previously our alumni association director, Theresa brings over 20 years of experience in the field of blind rehabilitation as well as deep relationships with the alumni community to her new position Congratulations Theresa and welcome Jane! Lastly, GDB will continue to keep you updated on our search for a new president and CEO and I look forward to supporting this search Please feel free to contact our staff if you have any questions about this process Sincerely, Bob Burke Interim President & CEO, GDB Former Chair, GDB Board of Directors FROM YOUR ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Healthy Guide Initiative In this issue of Alumni News, our Healthy Guide Initiative series will focus on the importance of maintaining a healthy weight for our guides, that is And we will provide you with information on keeping your dog’s ears squeaky clean! We will finish out our series with a special Q and A with our veterinary staff Enjoy! Keeping Fido Fit Keith Kramlinger, Alumni Association Board member Take a moment and think back upon your class experience Do you remember your instructors telling you repeatedly about the importance of maintaining your guides at a healthy weight? Do you remember your class supervisor talking about the importance of maintaining a healthy weight for your guide? Do you remember the veterinarian explaining the importance of keeping your guide at a good weight, preferably the in-class weight? Do you remember the class nurse and dining room staff reminding you that the instructors, supervisor, and veterinarian emphasized the importance of keeping your guide at a healthy weight? If you don’t remember these things, then your probably not a GDB Alumnus and shouldn’t be reading this newsletter! But if you remember these things, maybe you’re wondering, “Why does GDB focus so much on our guide’s maintaining a healthy weight?” The reason GDB is so focused on your guide maintaining a healthy weight is because a healthy weight is good for your guide And, what’s good for your guide is good for you too, in several ways A healthy weight guide is more likely to be a healthy guide A healthy guide is more likely to work well with you, and to work well with you for a longer service life A healthy dog will likely require fewer veterinarian visits, saving you time and expense A healthy weight dog will likely eat less, saving you money and extra trips to the store to buy dog food A healthy weight dog will likely have more energy and endurance for guiding adventures and play Keeping our guides at their healthy weight is a gift we give them Overweight dogs are at risk of many potential health consequences, similar to humans, including joint problems, diabetes, heart disease, and possibly a greater risk for cancer We hold the keys to maintaining our dogs’ healthy weight! The majority of dogs suffering from being overweight can be helped tremendously by changing minor habits in our daily lives Know what your dog’s recommended weight is? Graduation weight is the optimal weight for your dog Check your guide’s weight periodically Most vets won’t charge for a quick stop to check your guide’s weight This will help identify weight issues early, before the pounds add up Feed the appropriate amount of food consistently Use of a good measuring cup can be a valuable aid in achieving this goal, as well as avoiding the tendency to give a heaping measure instead of a level measure Remember to deduct from your guide’s daily food portion the amount of reward kibble given throughout the day While in training your dog probably took in more calories than he will need in the day to day work with you at home You will likely need to reduce the amount of food that your dog was fed during training upon returning home For guidance please call the Support Center One of our Specialists can help you make a good calculation Keep treats to a minimum, if at all If you want to give your dog a treat, consider a session of tug, a grooming session, brush your guide’s teeth with that yummy poultry-flavored enzymatic toothpaste, cuddle, or whatever you and your guide just love doing together! Keep human food away from your guide Walk your guides regularly, both for work and enjoyment Our guides have much to keep track of when guiding us on our adventures – avoiding obstacles, watching for clearances, monitoring traffic The last thing we want them to be is distracted, wondering, “Does my rear look big in this harness?” Healthy Ears By, Becky Andrews, Alumni Association Board Chair Did you know that ear problems are one of the most common reasons for taking our dogs to the veterinarian? Our dog’s ear is made up of external/outer ear, middle ear, and the inner/internal ear Each of these areas can be inflamed, irritated or infected Hearing is one of the more important senses in our dogs Ear problems are common and when left untreated can cause our dogs to feel miserable from itchiness and pain They try to relieve their discomfort by itching, rubbing and scratching and shaking their ears If you feel your dog has an ear problem, it is important to take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible as they can become progressively serious The goal of treating ear inflammation and/or ear infection is to relieve the dog’s discomfort, reduce inflammation of the ear canal and associated structures and check for other health issues It is a good idea to clean your dog’s ears on a regular basis This is especially true if you live in a warm humid climate or if your dog has long floppy ears that can trap dirt and moisture Thank you to my veterinarian, Dr Ben Brown, for his help in writing this article and the reminder … I’m off to clean my dog’s long floppy, beautiful soft ears Infectious Diseases - Vet Q & A By, Keith Kramlinger This article will focus on some issues related to prevention of infectious diseases in our guides Because of the medical nature of these issues, we have asked GDB veterinarian staff to answer some questions that have come up periodically when alumni talk to other alumni Please remember that your graduation binder has some great information about these topics, including information on rabies, heartworm, and ticks and mites Also visit www.guidedogs.com for “Tips from GDB’s Vets” at http://www.guidedogs.com/site/PageServer? pagename=resources_pets_vettips Q: Some alumni are told by their vets that their guides need rabies vaccine updates every years, but others are told every years Why is there this difference? Am I endangering my guide by getting rabies vaccines too often, or too infrequently? A: This is a question that comes up very frequently Rabies vaccines can provide immunity up to years, depending on the brand and strength of the vaccine Different counties and cities have local laws that dictate how often rabies vaccines should be given It is GDB’s practice to administer years rabies vaccines and we support this concept However we understand that local laws may suggest differently Over vaccination is a very involved topic and there are several aspects to take into consideration Optimally, dogs should receive vaccines that protect them from widespread diseases (core vaccines) Non-core vaccines are optional vaccines that should be considered based on geographical exposure and thus not be given to every dog every time (over vaccination) Q: When I go to get my guide’s annual exam, the vet tells me my guide needs all sorts of other vaccinations besides rabies, such as something called DHLPP (which I understand to mean distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, parvovirus) and bordetella I don’t remember these being discussed in detail while in class Are these additional vaccines required and necessary? A: DHLPP vaccines is considered one of the core vaccines by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) that are recommended to be given regularly While Bordetella is considered a non-core vaccine, several clinic’s recommend it due to the frequency of exposure to this disease (kennel cough) Dogs that board or visit dog parks (not GDBs case in particular) are at a higher risk of becoming infected At GDB, we vaccinate our dogs yearly for Bordetella We suggest for you to discuss your daily habits and routes with your veterinarian and determine if Bordetella vaccine is appropriate for your dog Q: I understand the importance of heartworm prevention, and my guide gets it every month without fail Is it still necessary to get the heartworm blood test, and if so, how often? I don’t like the idea of my guide getting stuck for a blood test that might not be necessary A: Heartworm preventatives provide your dog with a monthly small dose of a de-worming that kills the larvae of heartworms While the medication is very effective, it may not provide your pet with 100% protection (consider factors such as forgetting to give the tablet on a monthly routine, dog vomiting/spitting the tablet after given, medication kept in unstable conditions - too cold or too hot, etc) In addition, heartworm disease is known as the silent killer, given the fact that infected dogs not show acute signs of disease until in latest stages Routine heartworm testing ensures that the medication has been effective and that your dog is free of heartworm disease Most heartworm tests also screen for other blood borne diseases, which helps you keep your dog healthier longer Most clinics recommend heartworm testing on a yearly basis and the test generally only requires little drops of blood Q: I want to make sure that my guide has the best possible tick and mite protection Does this mean I need to apply the preventive monthly? I seem to recall that depending where we live and how often we travel, it may not be necessary to apply the preventive monthly throughout the year Who can get by with less, and what are the suggested guidelines? A: Fleas and ticks and heartworm disease (this one transmitted by mosquitoes) are seen in all 50 US states Considering that fleas, ticks and mosquitos are insects and arachnids, it is safe to assume that the highest risk of exposure is during the warmer months of the year However, most veterinarians call tell you that fleas in particular are seen year round, given their ability to seek warmer areas during the winter months (inside of houses, garages, sheds, etc) Monthly treatments ensure that in case your dog gets in contact with any of these pests, they will be properly protected GDB has recommended MERIAL products (Frontline and Heartgard) for the management of fleas and ticks Frontline provides proven protection against fleas and ticks for 30 days (other products may only cover fleas); Heartgard protects dogs against heartworms, hookworms and roundworms Getting by with less can become a “tricky road”, considering the risks posed to your guide’s health not to mention the nuisance of having fleas joining you for Sunday Football and potentially biting you for their blood meal Q: There are a variety of products available for heartworm and tick/mite prevention Are these interchangeable? Can we use generic forms instead of the more expensive brand names? A: There is an extremely large variety of products that claim to be effective in the management of parasites The key word when trying to choose a product is “efficacy” Several active ingredients in over the counter products have been around for many years and therefore are not as effective anymore (remember that insect and ticks can develop resistance rather quickly) GDB has recommended MERIAL products (Frontline and Heartgard) for the management of fleas and ticks Frontline provides proven protection against fleas and ticks for 30 days (other products may only cover fleas); Heartgard protects dogs against heartworms, hookworms and roundworms In case these products are not meeting your expectations, our VFA and veterinarian teams can advise you on equally effective alternatives 2013 Alumni Reunion – Join Us!! It’s time to get together and celebrate! Join us for the 2013 GDB Alumni Reunion! After our fabulous GDB Homecoming in 2010, lots of grads said that a major highlight was catching up with old friends, so your GDB Alumni Association Board is planning a Reunion Celebration that will give you that and so much more! Our theme this year is Harnessing Health and Happiness, and you will have the opportunity to learn lots of new techniques that will keep you and your Guide Healthy and Happy for years to come! We'll kick off with a Question and Answer session with instructors, enjoy a poolside welcome reception and then on Saturday hear from informative speakers in the morning, visit with friends in the afternoon, and end the day enjoying a bountiful feast of delicious foods while we honor our fellow Alumni and friends at our Awards Banquet Have you authored a book? If so we will have a special “Author’s Corner” area set up where you can display and share your writings with the group We will also be celebrating the completion of our brand new, state of the art, New Student Residence! On Friday and Saturday you will have an opportunity to tour this beautiful new building! Many of you kindly donated to the building and some of you helped in creating the amazing rock sculpture, here’s a chance to see the outcome of your participation! Want to extend the fun? If you are able to join us early, we have arranged for an excursion on Thursday and another on Friday that fit with are theme of Harnessing Health and Happiness On Thursday participate in a kayaking adventure on the San Francisco Bay and enjoy a picnic lunch Friday’s offering is a trip where you will explore the nearby Wine Country and partake in the tasting of some of the most interesting and delicious wines in the world For those who can stick around on Sunday, we will be providing a walking tour of the famous San Rafael Civic Center Farmers Market, where you can indulge all your senses! When: Reunion Celebration - Friday October 4, 2013 – Sunday October 6, 2013 / With special tours on Thursday, Friday and Sunday for an additional charge Where: Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, 1010 Northgate Dr., San Rafael & Guide Dogs for the Blind San Rafael Campus Who: Guide Dogs graduates, puppy raisers, breeders, family and friends Our priorities in planning are to make it fun and informative while keeping costs low Sheraton rates are an amazing $105 per night + tax, including a full breakfast Registration fee - which covers all hospitality (drinks and snacks), Welcome Reception, Speakers, Workshops, and Awards Dinner - is just $100 If you would like to order a box lunch for Saturday (the hotel restaurant is closed for lunch on Saturday) you can so for an additional $15.00 Please note however, that there are local restaurants within walking distance to the hotel if you prefer to get out and about! Make plans now to get best airline fares into San Francisco or Oakland You can register online by going to: www.guidedogs.com Or call Theresa Stern 800 295-4050 x4171 Registration deadline is August 30 To book a room at the hotel, call (415) 479-8800 Be sure to mention Guide Dogs for the Blind to get the low $105.00 rate If you want to vacation prior to the reunion or stay longer afterward, the hotel is extending the same rate from Wednesday, Oct – Monday, Oct 7! Contact your favorite GDB grads and puppy raisers to spread the word, and make plans for lunch or to hang by the pool See you there! Reach for the Stars Scholarship 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 Scholarship This year Gina has funded two $1,500 scholarships for a GDB Alumnus who is 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) 1) A letter of introduction to the committee which includes your email address, phone number and mailing address 2) An essay (not to exceed 500 words) that describes your course of study, your career aspirations, and how our investment in your success will help to realize those goals 3) Transcripts for the past semester and proof of registration for the upcoming semester 4) A letter of recommendation from a member of the faculty at your school All application materials are to be submitted as email attachments using the following file name convention: Last Name_First Name_Introduction Letter_RSS Last Name_First Name_Essay_RSS Last Name_First Name_Transcript_RSS Last Name_First Name_Recommendation Letter_RSS In order to provide the Nominating Committee ample time to consider your Reach for the Stars Scholarship application, please email all required documents to Theresa Stern (email address: tstern@guidedogs.com) by September 15, 2013 Good luck in your endeavors and we look forward to hearing from you! Survey Says! A big “thank you” to all of you who completed our graduate satisfaction survey last Spring! And congratulations to our prize winners: Susan Esparcia, Rob DiMeglio, Adelaida Ortega, John Bergeman, Eiji Yamamoto, and Gabriel Griffith! The results are in and I’m happy to report that the findings are stunningly positive! This survey will serve as a baseline that will allow us to measure our progress in future years You can expect a comprehensive survey such as the one we conducted this year every five years and smaller, more targeted surveys in the years in between Here are a few highlights You can access the survey in its entirety on our website under the Alumni tab Highlights: The most influential factors in the respondent’s decision to pursue the Guide Dog lifestyle was enhanced mobility at 99 percent, with companionship at 89 percent, and increased social interaction at 77 percent Respondents reported that their primary referral source to our program was, overwhelmingly, by GDB graduates (38 percent) Blindness professionals and self-research/media followed at 18 percent and 17 percent, respectively These numbers align with the information we have gathered for years through our application process Only half of respondents who have received orientation and mobility training in the last five years reported having been educated about guide dog mobility while receiving their training This indicates an opportunity for outreach efforts to include more interaction with orientation and mobility professionals and university programs that train orientation and mobility specialists Regarding choosing Guide Dogs for the Blind as the school of choice, respondents reported being most influenced by the quality of our training program (94 percent), followed by graduate services at 87 percent, and veterinary financial assistance at 78 percent Ninety-four percent of respondents feel confident in their dog’s skills and feel they are well matched as travel partners Of those trained in the use of food as a positive reinforcement, 69 percent report using this tool routinely, while 26 percent never or seldom use food Seventy-four percent of those using the Veterinary Financial Assistance program report being satisfied with their ability to talk to someone on the phone With the new Support Center this number will likely increase dramatically in the very near future Eighty-five percent read Alumni News, 35 percent take part in activities such as chapter, reunions, and speakers series It is our hope that the new Open Learning project will provide more opportunities to engage graduates post-graduation Ninety-six percent of respondents report being proud to be associated with GDB; 93 percent agree that they will return to GDB for a successor guide; and 96 percent would recommend our program to others Overall, 78 percent report being “very satisfied” with the overall program at GDB while 19 percent report being “satisfied”, for a 97 percent satisfaction rate There are surely opportunities to move more of our graduates into the very satisfied category Alumni Association Board Welcomes New Members and Elects New Officers The Alumni Association Board is pleased to welcome three new board members, Maile George with “Jasmine”, Leanne Bremner with “Ayanna”, and Gary Norman with “Pilot” Each of these individuals bring with them a variety of skills and knowledge that will help our association grow and prosper We have also elected new officers for the 2013-2014 year: Becky Andrews, Chair; Terry Christensen, Vice Chair; and Michelle Miller, Secretary A huge “thank you” goes out to our outgoing board members who have volunteered countless hours of their time to building our association: Jeff Senge, Judy Mathews, and Jen McEachen We wish you all the best in your future pursuits! To learn more about our board members, you can check out their bios on the GDB website under the Alumni tab STAFF SPOTLIGHT Getting to Know Marc Gillard, GDMI, Support Center Specialist Each week GDB’s new Support Center makes and receives an average of 850 calls, with phones ringing nonstop from 8am to 5pm The center’s specially trained staff – largely long-time GDB employees, such as Beth Hamilton, Lucy Waite, Marc Gillard, Trip Kaplin, Dianne Matcheck, Ken Altenburger and Jennifer Isaac – supports our 2,100 graduates and guide dogs The center is also an available resource for puppy raisers, breeders, donors, media and more One time a group of students even called from their classroom to a phone interview Working with such a wide range of people and topics may seem overwhelming to some But for Marc Gillard, Guide Dog Mobility Instructor, the variety of callers and situations is why he loves his job Marc was drawn to the field of guide dog training because it overlaps with many other professions, such as human health and science, optometry and social services “A lot of the time, after picking up the phone you could be wearing several hats, from dog behaviorist to psychologist But every call requires special skills and sensitivity,” Marc explains Born in Melbourne, Australia, Marc originally studied forestry as an undergrad and dreamt of one day working in zoology But after graduating from school, hard economic times made job opportunities scarce By luck Marc came across an advertisement for a guide dog apprentice position – keeping an open mind, he eagerly applied and was invited for an interview During the interview Marc discovered a lot about guide dog training, particularly how animal science plays a huge role in the development of training techniques “In truth, that one interview changed my life – we discussed how similar domestic dogs are to wolves, and how that is taken into consideration during guide dog training.” From that moment on, he was hooked Today, Marc continues to love his job because it allows him to work so closely with both grads and their guides “In this industry you get to work not just with dogs, but with people as well … it takes you into lots of other worlds and you’re constantly learning.” Marc has been part of GDB for a total of ten years, first from 1996 to 1999, and returning in 2006 Outside of GDB, Marc’s passion for guide dog training has taken him all over the world, working at guide organizations in Canada and Australia At one point he was also an assessor for the International Federation of Guide Dog Schools, which involved evaluating global leaders in guide dog training All of these experiences have reinforced Marc’s passion for working at GDB “In my 22 years of industry experience, I’ve seen how GDB is a leader because we’re so dynamic and ready for change … this is even more impressive since GDB is one of the biggest programs in the world.” What makes working at GDB so special to Marc? “GDB really does have a unique and special culture,” he explains “There’s always this internal driver from the organization to aspire to be the world’s best Staff in all areas are constantly working to improve, whether it’s in development, creativity, dog training or another specific area.” The Support Center is certainly an example of this constant drive to improve From Marc’s perspective, “Before the center, our staff couldn’t provide such comprehensive services because of the different facilities and spread out staff – now we can manage all grads and other clients personally and in-house to make sure they receive complete care from our full staff of experts.” When Marc describes his work at the Support Center, it quickly becomes apparent just how much he cares for both the guide dogs and people he works with – “many of the calls are from individuals who are beginning their journey as visually impaired We’re here to be supportive and provide as much information as possible It’s really important work.” One could say it’s GDB’s culture of teamwork, connectivity and problem solving that has Marc returning every week to the Support Center “It’s nice to see all the pieces fit together in a nice way when you’re helping people,” says Marc “In the future we’re also creating a comprehensive database in our Support Center that will bring up both caller and guide dog information based on a phone number It’s going to be great for our graduates” Pat Cook Q & A Pat Cook is GDB’s Canine Resources Manager and also works in Canine Community Programs Pat took time out of her busy schedule to talk about her love of dogs, kids, volunteers and being part of the GDB family Q: How did you start working at GDB? A: Well, I’ve been with GDB for over sixteen years It really gets into your blood, and the people here love working with the dogs and the people I’m originally from Great Britain and moved here in the late 1970s For almost twenty years I had an independent dog training business in San Francisco, where I ran classes in dog training for hobby, sport or pets It was successful and I gained a lot of knowledge, but I was getting tired of the Bay Area I’m originally a country girl and the area was changing, so eventually I applied for an open position in Oregon Q: What’s a typical workday for you like at GDB? A: Oh my gosh, I don’t think I have anything you could call a typical workday At GDB I have two positions (one in Canine Resources and the other in Canine Community Programs), which is somewhat unique The region I cover is from Salem down to Chico and Elko and east to Boise I supervise 90-100 puppies and work very closely with the volunteer leaders As a Canine Resources Manager, I also supervise the community field reps and everything to with our dogs I design the training protocols and write the handouts and the videos to help teach the raisers how we want our puppies to be trained One of my favorite parts of my job is working with our Canine Buddy Program – this is with dogs that haven’t quite made it to becoming guides We place them with visually impaired children to help them prepare for a future guide dog companion It’s really fantastic to see these kids grow comfortable with their dogs – many haven’t had the best experiences with animals Imagine being three feet tall and feeling intimidated by a dog It can be really scary But with the help of parents, our dogs form strong bonds with these kids, even to the point where they sleep together and cuddle It really is wonderful Q: How would you describe the GDB community and culture? A: We’re one big family, really Very supportive of each other and dedicated to the mission I think that’s why we get the longevity of our employees, because it really is like a family Most people tend to know one another and these connections are what I think makes for the low turnover in staff GDB is also a premier organization and we’re very well respected around the world Our presentations at conferences are usually very well attended – instructors come from all over the world to work with GDB-developed programs My colleague Michelle (Pouliot) recently gave a workshop to some international visitors on how we developed the clicker training method – she was the innovator behind it Now we’re also working to change the puppy raising component with the learning theory of positive reinforcement We have a goal that in the next five years all of our departments will be using this fully positive training method for our puppies This will be a huge change Q: Why you think GDB has such a large number of passionate volunteers and donors? Is there a special bond within the GDB family? A: I definitely think so One thing I feel is different about GDB is the close work we with the volunteers and the trust we have with them Some organizations use volunteers, but don’t have the community that we have I’ll give you an example – a few years ago, I hosted some trainers from the UK who came to stay with Guide Dogs in San Rafael to see how our puppy raising worked But what they were most impressed with was how we utilized our volunteers and trusted them with a lot of the processes We give a level of responsibility that is unique, and I think other organizations underutilize their volunteers and don’t trust at the same level GDB also puts a lot of time and effort into training and supporting our volunteers, which is why I think they keep coming back year after year Some have twenty five to thirty years of experience with us Q: What you envision for GDB’s future? A: I think we will continue to go down the path of being innovative in our training methods, while providing the best client care and field services possible Right now we’re exploring some new ways of raising puppies, and there’s discussion of developing partnerships with various institutions as well All of these are really exciting steps for GDB Q: Lastly, how would you summarize the services and spirit of GDB? A: I would say that we really couldn’t provide this service without our volunteer community They are the backbone to the organization You also have the best-trained and educated staff in the world at Guide Dogs Welcome Jane Neglia, New Outreach Manager! Jane Neglia has been working with older adults in the field of low-vision for over 11 years Her previous position as Program Supervisor for the Aging with Vision Loss Program at the Dayle McIntosh Center, afforded her the opportunity to share her personal and professional knowledge on such topics as Daily Living Skills, Assistive Technology, Braille Reading and Writing, and Self-Advocacy Training Jane was born legally blind, and at the age of was diagnosed with a retinal degenerative eye disease called Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) Because Jane has personal life experience being a person with a visual impairment, she was also able to provide peer support to the older adults she assisted, which was a vital part of her position at the Dayle McIntosh Center Jane has recently graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a Masters in Gerontology Jane had also volunteered her time for the Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB) from 2006-2009 as the secretary for the Orange County Chapter She co-chaired the Disability Rights Workshop (DRW) planning committee, and was also on the Advisory Board for Orange County’s new PACE program which is a Program for All inclusive Care for the Elderly Jane also has a wonderful partner, her Guide Dog Anya! IN OUR OWN WORDS – Articles submitted by GDB Alumni Guide Dog Teams Welcome at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival By Maile George and “Jasmine” Planning ahead is critical to an optimal travel experience, and as most of us know, it’s especially important when we’re travelling with our Guide Dogs With that in mind, I was armed with Jasmine’s vet certificate, photo ID card, the ADA accessibility law for the state of Oregon, my diabetes supplies and Jasmine’s kibble as we set out on our mother-daughter- dog mini vacation in Ashland, Oregon Located 350 miles north of San Francisco, and 285 miles south of Portland, Ashland is in the foothills of the Siskiyou and Cascade mountain ranges The city is near Interstate 5, 15 miles north of the California border It is the home of Southern Oregon University and, our destination, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival The high mountain vistas and farms of southern Oregon may seem an unlikely place for a world-class theater company; but the festival has entertained audiences every year since 1935, except during the years of World War II, 1941 to 1946 The festival has expanded over the years Now eleven plays, Shakespearean and classic or modern works, are presented to approximately 400,000 people each season We expected our travel time from the San Francisco bay area to be about six hours, with a few breaks to relieve Jasmine, stretch our legs and eat lunch With only two hours to go, thanks to Mom’s trusty Garmin, we found The Savory Spoon in Redding, a diner known for its eclectic and healthful menu Satiated, we got back on the road and rolled into Ashland at about 3:00 on a beautiful sunny April afternoon After parking the car, we reminded ourselves that because it’s so easy to walk to everything, we wouldn’t return to the car until it was time to go home As expected, the desk clerk at the Stratford Inn asked for Jasmine’s Guide Dog identification card We registered and then were shown to the room As we unpacked, we relaxed over a glass of wine, and Jasmine, in true Labrador fashion, practically inhaled her evening meal Next, we discussed one of our favorite topics, where to go for dinner Generally, making a decision like where to eat is an easy one because Mom and I always scope out restaurants featuring healthful fare In some cities, we’d have only a couple of attractive options, but in Ashland, it’s refreshingly different! There were too many choices, and there was too little time! After dining at Pangia, an inspired, informal cafe offering fabulous seasonally organic and locally grown food and exotic global ingredients, we were off to our first performance! Thirty minutes before the show was to begin, we arrived for our first play, “The Unfortunates,” at the smallest of the three theaters, the Thomas The other theaters are the outdoor Elizabethan Stage/Allen Pavilion and the Angus Bowmer Theater In the lobby, , we met my audio describer for the evening, Jim Amberg After getting reacquainted with Jim, we were shown to our seats where Jasmine found just enough room to catch a 90 minute nap I put on my headphones, and I raised my hand to indicate to Jim that I could hear his sound check clearly He then began to read his thorough, interesting and informative program notes from his perch above the audience The Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s audio description service is a complementary and increasingly popular service available to those of us who are visually impaired The outstanding Access Department has six trained audio describers on staff who provide live description for every performance of every play with two weeks advance notice It is best to request the service when ordering tickets Braille and large print playbills are also available for all productions, and Guide Dogs are more than welcome After using similar services elsewhere, I can confidently say that the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s service is consistently the best there is The describers are responsible for researching, preparing and writing scripts for each assigned show These scripts are based on what the describer observes when he or she attends dress rehearsals When a describer is assigned to a play, he or she will write an introduction which includes information about costume and set design, the cast, and a version of the script which includes helpful notes to be inserted during the play A describer arrives an hour before each performance to set up, check all equipment, including the FM receivers, headphones, transmitter and microphone After greeting the patron, the describer provides instructions on the use of the FM receiver If there is an intermission during the show, the describer checks-in with the patron to ask for feedback Truly, the service offered by these committed, enthusiastic and dedicated people is what makes an Oregon Shakespeare Festival theater experience so unique Jim’s enthusiasm for the play was clear as he provided information about the playwright, the director, and the actors He went on to describe the set, the costumes and also gave me as much information as he could about each actor and the character each would be portraying The next afternoon we went to “Two Trains Running” Susan Baird was our describer She is a former middle school teacher Susan and the other describers write their own scripts for each of the plays they describe They know exactly when to insert their comments to keep from speaking over the actors words The describer is able to transform for the patron what is already a terrific theater experience into an event alive with color, costumes, facial expressions, lighting effects and movement Our final theater event, and the one I was most looking forward to was “My Fair Lady,” one of my all-time favorites! Because we had front row seats, even Jasmine seemed excited about the show As the actors made their way up to the stage, Eduardo Placer, the actor who played Zoltan Karpathy, who, if you’re familiar with the play, is “that hairy hound From Budapest, stopped and talked with us about Jasmine To our delight, he then dedicated the night’s performance of “My Fair Lady” to Jasmine! Even though this show was over three hours in length, with one intermission, I couldn’t have enjoyed it more It was an absolutely unforgettable evening of excellent acting, dancing, singing and describing! Besides indulging in the delicious food, mouth-watering wines, and top-notch acting, visitors to Ashland can listen to music and watch dancing at a Green Show performance near the theaters (June through October, while the Elizabethan Stage is running) A beautiful and relaxing spot for humans and dogs alike is Lithia Park There, visitors can enjoy the well maintained trails and slurp from a natural mineral water drinking fountain (Warning: it’s pretty yucky!) At Starbucks, a person may find herself/himself sitting at a table next to an actor or two One of my favorite destinations is the Ashland Food Co-op, where I overheard a fellow shopper comment that it’s like Whole Foods on steroids, but better because the prices are reasonable The Oregon Cabaret Theater is a great activity for Monday nights when the OSF theaters are dark The Cabaret features a dinner show and has earned a reputation for top-flight musicals, revues and comedies If that’s not enough, the box office can provide more information about lectures and park talks on different aspects of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, after show discussions with actors and extremely interesting backstage tours One additional tip, because a visitor to Ashland walks to most events, a person with a visual impairment may find that using a GPS device such as the Trekker Breeze or a Smart phone app like Blind Square, might reduce the stress one might have about getting from place to place independently The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is committed to accessibility and recognizes the needs of persons with disabilities For more information, contact: The access Department: http://www.osfashland.org/accessibility-information.aspx The Box Office: 1-800-219-8161, or 541-482-4331 Email: boxoffice@osfashland.org Web site: www.OsfAshland.org ALUMNI BULLETIN BOARD Elena Thomason with Guide “Tahoe” are quite involved in the Mutt Strut This is a statewide fundraising event for the California Council of the Blind It will be held on Saturday September 7th in Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles “Tahoe” has been ‘top dog’ in the Sacramento region for the past two years She has Elena working very hard to remain top dog for year three If you would like more information about the Mutt Strut or if you would like to join Team Tahoe and either walk the event or donate, please contact Elena Thomason, at elenathomason@surewest.net or give a call at (916) 735-7838 The event is a lot of fun and CCB is certainly a worthy cause All dogs welcome! GDB Alumna Vicki Kennedy reports that her Guide, “Angela”, won the hearts of retired Senator Akaka and his wife, Millie this Spring Vicki says, “Angela has so far, kissed our Governor, our Chief of Police, our two Representatives, and now, our former Senator and his wife!” Graduate, Georgie Heisel, would like to share her new email address with all of her former classmates at GDB Georgie can be reached at gheisel@wi.rr.com Suzanne MacDonald and “Sergeant”, from Buena Vista, CO want to pass on that she found a wonderful service that delivers many types of dog food to the house You can visit the website at www.wag.com She reports that the prices are good and they don’t charge shipping and handling if over $50 IN MEMORIAM, IN MEMORY, IN TRIBUTE In Memoriam Mr Rickey-Ricardo Sims of Los Angeles, CA with “Sinatra”, male Yellow Lab Golden Cross, (SR 664 – 5/21/05) Ms Debra Lynch of Potosi, MO with “Shannon”, female Black Lab (SR 331 – 6/1977) Mr Dennis Bartlett of Indio, CA with “McDougle” male Yellow Lab (SR 678R-10/6/07) Ms Kristine Brand of Petaluma, CA with “Patches” female Yellow Lab (SR 630D-11/29/02) Mr Donald Haet of San Francisco, CA with “Granola”, female Black Lab (SR 491 - 10/13/90) Ms Suzanne Keser of West Valley City, UT with “April”, female Black Lab (OR212D - 9/27/11) Ms Jill Koon of Peoria, AZ with “Sherlock”, male Yellow Lab (OR128- 9/23/06) Ms Susan Lincoln of Spokane, WA with “Bryson”, male Yellow Lab (OR57R - 10/21/00) Mr W Huston Oliver of Meadow Vista, CA with “Valiant”, male Black Lab (OR148 - 5/31/08) Ms Donna Wigle of Sumter, SC with “Cashew”, female Yellow Lab, (OR82 - 11/21/02) In Memory “Gib”, male Yellow Lab Guide for Chris Cerna of Loma Linda, CA (SR 617 - 9/1/01) “Delilah”, female Yellow Lab Guide for Margaret Conry of San Ramon, CA (SR 621 – 2/2/02) “Palace”, female Black Lab Guide for Fernando Ramos of Phoenix, AZ (OR121 - 3/11/06) “Kaylee”, female Yellow Lab Guide for Stacy Patnode of Bowling Green, OH (SR 615 - 6/23/01) “Kanya”, female Sable/White Smooth Coated Collie Guide for Kim Samco of Bend, OR (OR62R - 4/7/01) “Janalee”, female Black Lab Guide for Harold Brees of Long Beach, CA (612 - 3/10/01) “Rinelle”, female Yellow Lab Guide for Brad Gillespie of Scarborough, ON (624 - 5/18/02) “Kirk” male Yellow Lab Guide for Jerry Richmond of Southweymouth, WA (SR 608 – 10/17/00) “Silky”, female Yellow Lab Guide for Mariella Dibble of Keiser, OR (OR58 - 11/18/00) "Dugan", male Yellow Lab Guide for Georgie Heisel, of Milwaukee, WI (OR130 – 11/ 2006) “Jethro”, male Yellow Lab Guide for Kathy Austin of Homewood, IL (SR 626 - 7/27/02) “Theo”, male Yellow Lab Guide for Ron Hobson of Edwin, MB (OR85P - 3/15/03) “Kostas”, male Yellow Lab Guide for Quinton Ramirez of Santa Rosa, CA (SR 616-7/28/01) “Felix”, male Black Lab Guide for Mark Proulx of Brantford, ON (OR114 - 7/30/05) “Kenworth”, male Yellow Lab Guide for Juli Mansfield of Norfolk, VA (SR 610 - 12/16/00 “Teal”, female Yellow Lab Guide for Andy Lavigne of Coaldale, AB (OR63 - 5/5/01) “Wicker”, female Yellow Lab / Golden Cross Guide for Carol Edwards of Conroe, TX (OR105 10/16/04) “Nikita”, female Black Lab / Golden Cross Guide for Virginia Tirado-Walker of Troy, NY (SR 610 – 12/16/00) “Glider”, male Yellow Lab Guide for Joyce McGuire of Lexington, KY (SR 618 – 10/6/01) “Bosco”, male Yellow Lab Guide for Carlie Forsythe of Madison, WI (OR 78 – 7/27/02) “Leanne”, female Black Lab Guide for Melody Boomhour of Ottawa, ON (OR 121 – 3/11/06) In Tribute “Dasher” male Yellow Lab Guide for Laura Ann Grymes of College Station, TX (OR117 10/22/05) “Friday”, female Yellow Lab Guide for Jerry Richmond of South Weymouth, WA (SR 701 – 1/21/10) “Clark”, male Black Lab Guide for Randy Tedrow of Renton, WA (OR138 – 7/2007) “Raquel”, female Yellow Lab/ Golden Cross Guide for Rebecca Barany of Sandpoint, ID (SR 655 – 6/25/05) “Gabby”, female Yellow Lab Guide for Sharon Larson of Shawnut, MT (OR88 - 5/31/03) “Gertrude”, female Yellow Lab Guide Judy Leung of Toronto, ON (SR 659R - 11/12/05) “Carmel” female Black Lab Guide for Elaine Harrison of London, ON (SR 657-9/3/05) GIFT SHOP NEWS Listed below are new items that have arrived in the gift shop recently: Holiday Card pups– Your family and friends will enjoy receiving this adorable holiday card Featuring three puppies (one black lab, one yellow lab and one golden retriever) lying down with holiday colored toys These are available blank or with a greeting The greeting reads "Wishing you the best of the holiday season" in script and braille: ten cards and envelopes per pack Available in braille with script or blank$12.00 Lunch Cooler – This is a roomy lunch cooler bag Outiftted with dual zippered "U" shape insulated main compartment, mesh pocket on back with adjustable straps and a carry handle: includes a seamless zippered front pocket and D ring to hang keys from Puppy and guide dog design with Guide Dogs for the Blind in white Bonus: Guide Dogs for the Blind logo poop bag dispenser included: available in blue $18.00 Bracelet – Navy colored rope bracelet adorned with a metal charm The charm includes an engraving of a paw print and Guide Dogs for the Blind Fully adjustable.$3.00 Water bottle with detachable bowl - A BPA-free water bottle and detachable bowl for you and your pet; made from durable EastmanTritan plastic with a large opening for easy filling and washing and Dishwasher safe $12.00 Braille Coffee mug - This 12oz off white ceramic coffee mug reads, "Guide Dogs for the Blind" in script on one side and in braille on the opposite side of the mug Braille and script are in black $12.00 Collapsible Klip Scoop - We love this collapsible food scoop because it’s great for portion control, it collapses flat for easy storage and has a handy built-in clip in the handle to close the food bag This scoop is also dishwasher-safe and BPA free, and measures up to one cup Available in green.$6.00 Guide Doggie Book- Learn how Guide dogs help the blind in this coloring/activity book! This fun and unique coloring book is a great way to introduce children to the world of a guide dogs Meet Guide Doggie when he is a puppy, then follow him on his adventures during guide dog training Your child will learn how guide dogs help the blind live more independently, and how dogs can be heroes too! Your child can color the pages, making it an interactive and educational learning experience Fun bonus games including a word search, crossword puzzle and, word jumbles based on the story will help your child remember what they learned! $8.00 Photo Album - Have your precious memories on hand at all times! Beautiful leatherette design, Compact tuck flap cover, Holds 24 - 4" 6" photographs inside and has an extra outside pocket window on the back - great gift Available in Red, black or blue $8.00 Onesie – Guide Dog Love- With this onesie, your favorite baby can show love for GDB right from the start! Featuring an adorable red silhouette of a guide dog in harness filled with white hearts, and the GDB logo on the left sleeve This 100% cotton, super soft material is great on delicate skin Available in 6M, 12M, 18M and 24M Makes a great gift, too! $13.00 Women’s “Dream Team” Scoopneck – This is a Port Authority Ladies Scoop Tee At 4.1 oz and made from 100% ring spun cotton, this tee is lightweight and super soft The back design reads "Dream Team" in braille and script Front left chest is adorned with a design of a guide dog in harness and a puppy Available in Aqua blue or Black, the braille design is in white and artwork is in silver Available sizes are XS through XXL $20.00 Women’s “Dream Team” V neck Tee - This Bella short sleeve V neck t-shirt is 4.2 ounces of 100% combed and ring spun cotton, this shirt wears especially well in the summer Available in deep purple or pink with a silver puppy and guide design over the left chest and “Dream Team” in script and braille in silver on the back Sizes Small through XXL Sizing note: this tee is 100% soft jersey cotton; it has a youthful fit and runs small As a rule, order a size larger than you usually buy $20.00 Women’s Polo Shirts- This women’s polo is designed with a flat knit collar, pearl buttons and side vents The honeycomb pique texture results in a lofty fabric with a silky feel It is embellished with a puppy and guide dog design on the left chest, along with the words Guide Dogs for the Blind: available in blue surf or black.100% pima cotton: Machine Wash Cold $32.00 Men’s Polo Shirt- This shrink and wrinkle resistant polo is silky to the touch, this polo has something extra: contrasting silver and white striping detail on the collar to give it a classic, yet modern look With a button placket and weighing in at a comfortable ounces of poly cotton pique, this polo shirt will be a favorite in your closet Available in black with a silver GDB logo embroidered over the left chest Sizes Medium through XXL $32.00 Men’s “Dream Team” Tee- 100% cotton, preshrunk Port Authority tee At 5.4oz, this lightweight shirt is sure to be a favorite this summer The back design reads "Dream Team" in braille and script Front left chest is adorned with a design of a guide dog in harness and a puppy Available in Steel blue or Maroon, the braille design is in white and artwork is in silver Available sizes are Small through XXL $20.00 Youth “Dream Team” Tee - Enjoy the comfort of this short-sleeved Port and Company tagless Tshirt Made of 100% pre shrunk cotton, the front of the shirt is screen printed with a puppy and guide dog design on left chest with "Guide Dogs for the Blind", and the back reads: "Dream Team" in braille and script Available in Sapphire Blue or Lime Green (printing color: silver with white braille).$15.00 Tug Toy- Fetching, tugging, catching, and throwing-this tough, bone shaped bumper toy makes for all kinds of fun With a durable multi-layer construction and a webbing handle integrated into design for toy strength, it is sure to last your dog a while Measuring 10 inches and available in blue or orange $10.00 If you need a new battery for your victor reader and you live in the US, you may contact Sweetman Systems directly at 818-893-5887 All orders are subject to applicable tax and shipping fees You can order Gift Shop merchandise online at store.guidedogs.com , call 1-800-295-4050 x4151 or 415-499-4151 and our volunteers will take your order by telephone Please check our website periodically for new merchandise updates Don’t forget when you order online, type in discount code “ALUMNI” for a one time discount of 15% off your online order Not available for phone orders Coupon expires January 31, 2014 ANNOUNCEMENTS Sago Palm Poisoning We recently learned that a popular ornamental plant, the Sago Palm, is highly toxic to dogs Many of us were unaware of the risk of keeping these plants and we would like to share the following information with you to help prevent the ingestion of these plants by your puppy Sago Palm Poisoning Information Sago (Cycad) palms are found naturally in the sandy soils of tropical to subtropical climates, but may also be grown as ornamental and house plants The toxic principle, cycasin, is found in all parts of the plant, including the seeds, fruit, and base The seeds contain a higher concentration of cycasin and the ingestion of one or more seeds has resulted in liver failure and death in dogs Clinical Signs Vomiting often occurs within hours or less of ingestion, followed by other signs such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, hind limb paralysis (rare), depression, coma, and death over the next several hours to few days Dogs may develop acute liver failure Although clinical signs are usually observed within day of toxin ingestion, laboratory values may not become abnormal for 24 to 48 hours after ingestion Once clinical signs develop the mortality rate is high Thus if ingestion was recent and if the dog is alert, treatment should include induction of vomiting and the dog should immediately be taken to the vet We recommend keeping dogs and puppies away from these plants, and removing the plants from your yards or homes if needed We’ve Got Chocolate! We have some pretty sweet news to share with you: we have a chocolate Lab puppy in our kennels! ( Whelped on July 11, 2013, the female pup was born to Arizona (who is also the mother to the last two GDB chocolate Labs, Sweetie and Snickers, born in 2010) and Jenkins (who we know carries the gene for chocolate but hadn't produced any yet) The litter had a total of pups; all of the other pups were black Labs It's exciting news because it's such a rare occurrence in GDB's breeding program To learn more about the genetics of chocolate Labs and their history at GDB, please click on over to our blog to read the 2010 article, There's Chocolate in Our Kennels! While the pup is here in our kennels, we will post photos of her litter via the GDB Puppy Central Facebook page (www.facebook.com/gdbpuppycentral - be sure to Like the page!) We respectfully ask that if you are visiting or working on our California campus that you please refrain from asking kennel department staff for a peek of the puppy The chocolate pup will enter our puppy raising program when the time comes just like any other puppy The litter has yet to be named, but we suspect this little gal will have a sweet name to follow our chocolate tradition! It's enough to melt your heart, isn't it? 2013 – 2014 Alumni Association Board Meetings: Oct 3, 2013, Dec 7, 2013, March 1, 2014, June 7, 2014 Alumni Association Board of Directors Officers Becky Andrews / Cricket Bountiful, UT Board Chair 801/259-3883 (Mobile) bandrews@guidedogs.com Terry Christensen / Zane Bensalem, PA Vice-Chair (267) 568- 2195 (Mobile) tchristensen@guidedogs.com Michelle Miller / Tango Alexandria, VA 22314 Secretary 703-.664-0369 (Home) mmiller@guidedogs.com MEMBERS AT LARGE Samantha Adams / Lotto Gold River, CA 95670 916-903-7065 sadams@guidedogs.com Leanne Bremner Toronto, ON 416- 921-8984 lbremner@guidedogs.com Melanie Brunson / Sparta Vienna, VA 703/ 307-6478 (Mobile) mbrunson@guidedogs.com Maile George Concord, CA 925-381-7899 mgeorge@guidedogs.com Melissa Hudson / Zorro Los Angeles, CA (626) 429-6883 (Mobile) mhudson@guidedogs.com Gary Norman / Pilot Baltimore, MD gnorman@guidedogs.com EX Officio Members Jeffrey Senge / Fodi Immediate Past Board Chair San Clemente, CA 714-337-0065 (Mobile) jsenge@guidedogs.com George Kerscher / Mikey GDB Board of Directors Representative Missoula, MT 406-549-4687 (Mobile) gkerscher@guidedogs.com 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 www.guidedogs.com For Graduate Support or to Change Your Contact Info Email the Support Center at: igraduatesupport@guidedogs.com or via telephone at: 800 295-4050