Guide Dog News
2015, Issue #3
COVER PHOTO
Marissa Tejada and a golden retriever during puppy play time at Camp GDB.
INSIDE
· Fun Day Recap: Get caught up on the activities and photos from Fun Day, GDB’s annual salute to our volunteer puppy raisers. This year’s theme was “Travelin’ Tails.”
· New Licensees: GDB has three new licensed guide dog mobility instructors! Congratulations to Katie Anderson, Adam Silverman, and Kelsey Matheron.
· Donor Profile: Meet Frans and Fred Simson, puppy raising volunteers extraordinaire and President’s Circle members, who are champions of GDB in their community.
Making It All Click
In June, GDB hosted our 4th International Clicker Training Conference at our California campus. Our 18 guest guide dog mobility instructors, representing eight guide dog schools from across the globe, spent five days learning how GDB has incorporated positive reinforcement and Clicker training into our guide dog training methods. “I wish to express my appreciation to your organization for your willingness to share information and, in doing so, help to raise the quality of training and services available to clients who are blind and visually impaired worldwide,” wrote attendee Christie Bane. Kudos to GDB’s Director of Research and Development Michele Pouliot, as well as GDB guide dog mobility instructors and conference faculty members Todd Jurek, Lori Brown, Jessica Drew, and Candace Tuomikoski for representing GDB in such an excellent fashion!
In Remembrance
Our condolences to the family and loved ones of actor and GDB supporter Dick Van Patten who passed away in June. Mr. Van Patten was the co-founder of Natural Balance Pet Foods. In tandem with the Petco Foundation, Mr. Van Patten organized National Guide Dog month to directly benefit many non-profit, accredited guide dog schools in the U.S., including GDB. We remember and honor Dick Van Patten’s contributions to our mission, and are grateful for Natural Balance Pet Foods continued partnership.
GREETINGS FROM THE CEO
Greetings,
I am in high spirits as the summer draws to a close as so many wonderful things have happened at GDB over the past few months. I realize a common thread is the powerful role that young people play in helping us fulfill our mission. All of our volunteer puppy raisers are wonderful, of course, but it is particularly amazing to see the enthusiasm and positivity that our youth puppy raisers bring to their efforts. I am proud to say our legion of FFA raisers continues to grow and flourish—with the latest group thriving in San Antonio, Texas. We are so grateful for all our young puppy raisers do to help our dogs on their journey from puppy to guide or other meaningful role.
It is also rewarding to see and hear how much our young raisers gain from their involvement with our organization: confidence, purpose, communication skills, and so much more. Nowhere is this more evident than in the submissions we received for our annual Puppy Raising scholarships. You can learn more about this year’s winners on page 5.
The promise of youth was also front and center at Camp GDB earlier this summer. The campers, who are blind and visually impaired, ranged in age from 14-17 and came from several different states to spend two days on our California campus exploring the guide dog lifestyle. Read more about it on page 9—it certainly was a very memorable experience for all of us!
Wishing you all the best,
Christine Benninger
President and CEO
Pictured: Chris Benninger, President and CEO surrounded by puppy raisers getting their new pups at the California Campus Fun Day.
Travelin’ Tails
In July, GDB hosted our 57th annual Fun Day celebrations on both of our campuses. With the theme of “Travelin’ Tails,” this year’s educational activities centered around real-life travel scenarios, like going through airport security checkpoints, riding a bus, or dining at a cafe. Fun Day is an event to celebrate the efforts of our puppy raising volunteers, who come with their pups from far and wide to participate. Most importantly, it is an opportunity for us to personally thank and recognize the dedication, hard work, and love that the puppy raisers contribute toward fulfilling our mission. Thank you puppy raisers for all that you do!
Pictured: Various people, pups, and activities at Fun Day. For more photos of the festivities, please visit our online gallery at flickr.com/photos/guidedogsfortheblind.
Puppy Raising Scholarship Recipients
Annually, GDB awards scholarships to puppy raisers in their senior year of high school who have outstanding scholastic achievement and volunteer experience within GDB and their communities. Thanks to the generosity of the Nancy Bloyer Memorial Fund, Greg and Kathy Harwell, and Steve and Kathie Jenkins, we were pleased to award $10,000 in scholarship funds. Congratulations to the following puppy raisers on their accomplishments!
Nancy Bloyer Memorial Fund Scholarships
· $2,000 – Laura Marchi ($1,000 scholarship, $500 Outstanding Essay Award & $500 Outstanding Creative Award)
· $1,000 – Jaclyn Bigley
· $1,000 – Hailey Elias
· $1,000 – Gina Phillipsen
Harwell Family Scholarship
$1,000 – Kylie Peterson
Jenkins Scholarship
$1,000 – Christina Marcelli
GDB Scholarships
· $1,000 – Megan Irving
· $500 – Mikaela Haglund
· $500 - Delphine Medeiros
· $500 – Ian Miller (Outstanding Essay Award)
· $500 – Sam Nelson (Outstanding Essay Award)
For complete bios and winning essays/creative projects, please visit our blog, No Bones About It, at guidedogs.blogspot.com.
Board Profile
Joan Boyd’s deep commitment to volunteerism, a love of dogs, and a personal connection to vision loss fuels her passion for Guide Dogs for the Blind. That passion is on display virtually everywhere you turn at GDB. Since she first started volunteering in 1997, Joan has been engaged with GDB in a wide variety of roles: Puppy Tester, Chair of the Canine Heroes Auction, Board member, Festive Holiday Luncheon Committee member, Legacy Society member, former Chair of the Betty Krahl Spirit of Volunteerism Committee, and airport driver. Joan, who lives in Napa, draws on her marketing and volunteer experience for each of these roles. “Being on campus each week, I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to interact with staff, visitors, and other volunteers. Additionally, I served as President of the Junior League of San Francisco, a 2,500 member women’s organization which has provided me with a great foundation in Board work as well as working with volunteers.”
Joan also feels a special connection to GDB’s mission having two parents who grappled with vision loss. “My mom, now 95 years young, was patient #3 in the Genentech clinical trial for Lucentis, a medication injected into the eye to slow the progress of wet macular degeneration. Now, 11 years after beginning the study, it has been a sight-saver for her.” This experience makes the work she experiences at GDB all the more meaningful.
“Probably the most rewarding aspect of being affiliated with GDB is seeing the difference these guide dogs can make in the life of a visually impaired client. The bond that is created between a human and animal is amazing.” It also makes her wish that people knew more about GDB. She notes, “I wish that people knew that our services are provided entirely free to our clients and that you don’t have to be totally blind to receive our services. And, I wish that people knew we are funded entirely through donations.”
When Joan isn’t busy supporting GDB, she is running a 22-acre vineyard and winery in the Napa Valley and pursuing hobbies such as golf, wine tasting, bicycling, reading, and crossword puzzles. She adds, “I enjoy tending to my roses, I have 130 rose bushes! But there is never enough time to do everything!” GDB is blessed to be the beneficiary of so much of her time, love, and attention!
Staff Profile
A class of GDB students a few years ago compiled a list of qualities they felt were essential for a successful guide dog mobility instructor. Their list included: An easygoing nature; tenacity and commitment in the face of challenges; use of genuine, kind words; thoughtfulness in their instruction; a blend of analytical approach meshed with creativity; refinement and intelligence, and a personality that is comfortable for all to be around. At GDB, we believe all of our instructors possess those traits, perhaps due in no small part to the leaders of their ranks who embody those characteristics.
Meet Susan Armstrong and Kristin Lucas, GDB’s Vice Presidents of Training Operations on the Oregon and California campuses respectfully. This duo is responsible for all operations related to training GDB’s dogs and clients. They oversee the staffing, supervision, and training of personnel in the Training and Nursing Departments in their individual locations, and share responsibility of the same within the Client Services Department. In addition, Kristin oversees GDB’s Apprentice Training Program, while Susan manages GDB’s Dormitory Services and the Research and Development Department. Both women are licensed guide dog mobility instructors, and both hold masters degrees in orientation and mobility. Combined, they have nearly 40 years of experience at GDB.
“The people that I have the opportunity to meet are the best part of this job,” said Susan. “From my colleagues, to clients, to puppy raisers, to donors—everyone that touches this organization is amazing. Our clients have taught me so much—much more than I’ve taught them.” Kristin agrees. “The best thing about working at GDB is the ability to have meaningful relationships with so many diverse people and dogs,” she said. “I have always had a love of dogs and a love of teaching. The Training Department at GDB is the perfect melding of the two.”
Susan lives in Portland with her partner and a pet Border Collie. In her spare time, she is a sports enthusiast, an avid poker player, and loves photography and traveling, which makes her role as an assessor for the International Guide Dog Federation all the more exciting. Kristin lives in Petaluma, Calif., with her partner, and a pet Vizsla and new pet kitten. She enjoys hiking, gardening, and loves to cook for friends and family.
Alumni Profile
Pam Boyle has been the recipient of three guide dogs from GDB, and she can still vividly recall the first time picking up the harness handle. “It was nothing short of amazing,” she said. Pam has retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative disease of the retinas causing tunnel vision and night blindness. “I am totally blind at night and was concerned about my first night route,” she said. “But my guide dog Kit and I stepped off the bus, and all my fears melted away. That was a moment I will never forget.”
Pam knew she was ready to apply for a guide dog when her vision began deteriorating. “I did my research before picking GDB—as soon as I called, I could tell that GDB was organized and efficient,” she said. “The atmosphere at GDB is so special. The staff has a way of making everyone feel so comfortable and confident. At the end of each day I had to laugh at myself for having any fear because I had done it! And I realized that I had no limitations.”
Pam’s current guide dog is Desta, whom she calls Desta the Besta. “During our four years together, we have traveled to Phoenix, New York, Boston, Houston, Atlanta, and New Orleans several times,” Pam said. “When her paws hit the ground in any city, she is the most amazing and consistent guide. Other dogs on the street? She never looks their way. Cats crossing our path? Forget about it! Horses, cows, chickens, roosters, squirrels? She laughs in the face of distraction. She is a conversation starter, an ice breaker, and my best friend! When I am with Desta I am never afraid. She is the light of my life.”
Pam is the assistant director at the Morgan Street Dance Studio in Broussard, La. She grew up in New Orleans and currently resides in Lafayette, La. with her husband Adrian (they have three sons and two grandchildren). In her spare time, Pam enjoys tandem cycling, gardening, and traveling—New York and Ireland are her two favorite places to visit.
“Before I was given the gift of a guide dog, I had stopped going shopping alone and traveling places with friends,” Pam said. “A month after I returned from GDB with my first guide Kit, I was in New Orleans with family and friends. On a walk, Kit and I were flying along, leading the pack! One of my kids called from behind asking us to slow down—it was music to my ears! Now I can travel to places alone with Desta and know that I will be safe. A world of independence has opened up for me that was not possible before a guide dog came into my life.”
New Licensees
Congratulations to GDB’s newest licensed guide dog mobility instructors
Katie Anderson grew up in Portland, Ore., and was a GDB puppy raiser for many years. She has a degree in biology from George Fox University, and has worked at the Oregon Zoo, Sea Life Park in Hawaii, and the Miami Seaquarium prior to coming to GDB. “The favorite part of my job,” Katie said, “is the diversity that it has to offer. I love meeting and working with the people and the dogs.”
Adam Silverman hails from West Hartford, Conn. and has a degree in Psychology from the University of Connecticut. He worked with a variety of animals prior to coming to GDB, including wolves and exotic cats. “Getting to see the progress that our clients make with their new guide dogs” is the most fulfilling aspect of his job, Adam said.
Kelsey Matheron is originally from Vacaville, Calif., and was a GDB puppy raiser as a teenager. She holds bachelor and master degrees in music education and teaching from Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, New Jersey. “I love that this job allows me to be involved in all aspects of the guide dog team,” she said, “from dog training, to working with clients in class, and visiting teams in their home environment.”