Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation
FidelcoNews
Spring 2017
in this issue
the power of
partnershipS
the “Art” of training
7th Annual Ride for
independence
oPEN HOUSE
Dog days of SUMMER
children’s pROGRAM
Partners in ExceptionalSM Fidelco.org/donate <#>
FidelcoNews
Spring 2017
In this issue
1.
THE “ART” OF TRAINING
2.
THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS
4.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
5.
SPRING INTO ACTION
6.
A NEW LOOK ON THE ROAD
8.
7TH ANNUAL RIDE FOR
INDEPENDENCE
9.
OPEN HOUSE AND DOG DAYS OF
SUMMER CHILDREN’S PROGRAM
Enduring Optimism
There’s nothing more optimistic
or hopeful than seeing our
clients pick up the harness
handle and enthusiastically
conquer the roads ahead
with their Fidelco guide dog
partners. Whether first-time
clients, or successors, these
exceptionally courageous men
and women have made a life-changing decision to
entrust Fidelco with their safety.
“Optimism is the faith that leads to
achievement. Nothing can be done
without hope and confidence.”
Helen Keller
Only with the compassionate support of Fidelco’s
donors – you – are we able to create these enduring
partnerships that overcome many obstacles and
challenges in a world that presumes everyone has
the gift of sight. We are grateful and humbled by
your trust.
This issue of FidelcoNews embraces the theme of
optimism and progress we see every day. It also
shares the deliberate and persevering work that’s
required to transforms lives.
Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc.
103 Vision Way
Bloomfield, CT 06002
860.243.5200
27 Cannon Rd.
Wilton, CT 06897
203.529.8201
www.fidelco.org
©2017 Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc.
FidelcoNews Spring 2017
Step by step, energetic puppies – encouraged
with tremendous amounts of love from volunteer
puppy raisers and supported by Fidelco’s talented,
professional trainers – become incredible guide dog
partners. Gradually, our clients’ first, small steps with
their new guide dog partners become confident
strides on their journey to improve their lives and the
world around them.
Thank you for supporting uninterrupted hope for our
clients. Thank you for being an exceptional partner.
Eliot D. Russman
President & Chief Executive Officer
The “Art” of Training
Chris Eastwood, Trainer/Instructor
Fidelco’s three-year, Apprentice Guide Dog Trainer Education Program is based on
criteria established by the International Guide Dog Federation. Apprentices receive
the essential tools to create life-saving working relationships between our exceptional
clients and our elite German Shepherd guide dogs.
Why did you choose to pursue
this career?
I have always been deeply
fascinated by animals and
animal behavior. I was interested
in adopting a “career change”
German Shepherd from Fidelco.
While adopting my beautiful
dog, “Sadie,” I learned about the
Apprentice Guide Dog Trainer
Program and eagerly applied.
What do you love the most
about your job?
I love working with both dogs
and people; I enjoy helping
guide dog teams become
independent travelers and feel
very lucky to have the support
of my co-workers along the
way. My favorite part of the job
is utilizing problem-solving
skills to resolve unique situations
presented with training the
dogs and teaching a new guide
dog team.
For me, however, the most
difficult part of the job is also
my favorite; the unique and
challenging situations that
come with training and placing
German Shepherd guide dogs
with our exceptional clients –
each person and dog is unique
in their own way.
What is the most difficult part
about your job?
There are challenges that come
with working in extreme weather
conditions and the significant
time spent away from family and
friends when traveling.
Chris is also a
talented artist and
paints the colorful
murals on Fidelco’s
kennel walls.
To sponsor a
custom-designed
mural, contact
Susan Greer at
860.243.4043 or
[email protected].
Chris works on street crossings with
a guide dog in training.
Partners in ExceptionalSM Fidelco.org/donate 1
The Power of Partnerships
Our clients share a common goal—to experience life to the fullest. Their partnerships
with our exceptional guide dogs make independence, safe travel, and social connection
an enduring reality.
“My guide dog, ‘Legend,’ is a
godsend. He has changed my
life in more ways than I ever
thought he would. He’s happy
and he loves me and gives me
something to care for. On top of
all that, he helps me walk down
the street,” shares Retired Air
Force TSgt and Fidelco client
Matt Slaydon. This sense of joy
– this hope for the future – that
has been inspired by Legend
is not something Matt takes for
granted for a single moment.
Nearly 10 years ago, while
serving as the point person for
an Explosive Ordinance Disposal
Team (EOD) in Kirkuk, Iraq, Matt
was severely injured by an
improvised explosive device
(IED) that detonated two feet
away from his face, throwing him
almost 30 feet from the blast
site. His arm required immediate
amputation, his face was
shattered, and he was suddenly
and completely blind.
The next chapter was
exceedingly difficult. Completing
three tours of duty during
Operation Iraqi Freedom and
disarming over 100 IEDs paled
in comparison to the physical
and spiritual adversity Matt
faced as he tried to cope with a
new normal. With the support
2 FidelcoNews Spring 2017
Retired U.S. Air Force TSgt Matt Slaydon with Legend.
of his wife, Annette, Matt slowly
began to reclaim what had been
lost that fateful October day.
Partnering with Legend was the
next step in Matt’s recovery and
the team has been flourishing
ever since. He reflects, “Legend
was the magnificent tool in my
tool box that helped me get
where I needed to go.”
Meet and thank Matt personally
on Sunday, July 23rd at
Fidelco’s 7th Annual Ride for
Independence motorcycle
fundraiser where he will serve
as a grand marshal.
Matt says that the support of his wife, Annette, and partnering with Legend were crucial pieces to his recovery.
2
Partners in ExceptionalSM Fidelco.org/donate 3
Volunteer Spotlight: Heather & Michaela Perry
Heather Perry became a dedicated Fidelco
Volunteer Puppy Raiser for precious “Grayson” in
the early 90’s. She remembers being blessed with
Grayson’s presence
for a couple of
months longer than
usual since Fidelco
was just finishing
construction on the
new kennel and
needed the space
for this litter of dogs
to come back for
formal guide dog
training. She loved
every aspect of
working with Fidelco.
“I was a volunteer,
THEN: Heather on the day she
but never felt like
brought Grayson home.
an outsider. I was
treated like part of the Fidelco family, even though
I was only there a few hours each month.”
Michaela, Heather’s
daughter, would
hear her mother
reminisce about
her time at Fidelco,
and as a dog lover
herself, committed
to becoming a Fidelco
volunteer. Michaela is
now a valued member
of Fidelco’s volunteer
community just like
her mother. Heather
says, “[It] makes me
very proud that
she is following in
THEN: Heather walking a dog at
my footsteps.”
the Fidelco kennel.
Become part
of Fidelco’s
community
of volunteer
puppy raisers
today! An online
application is
available at
fidelco.org.
4 FidelcoNews Spring 2017
Spring into Action
In Memoriam
Life-changing gift ideas for every season
Donald Hannigan, 12/25/2016
Getting a tax
refund? This is the
perfect opportunity
for you to make
that special gift to
Fidelco.
Over age of 70½?
Make an IRA
Charitable Rollover
gift! Contact your
IRA Trustee and
ask them to send a
gift from your IRA
account directly to
Fidelco. Your gift
can help satisfy
your Required Minimum Distribution for 2017 and
will help Fidelco create more life-changing guide
dog partnerships.
Beneficiary Designations: Did you know you
can name Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation as the
beneficiary of an IRA, 401(k), or life insurance
policy? It is easy to do and will provide a wonderful
gift to Fidelco in the future.
Estate Planning: Wills can become outdated,
particularly if there has been a significant change
in your life. When reviewing your documents,
consider naming Fidelco as a recipient of a specific
or residuary bequest from your estate. Your estate
planning today means that Fidelco can continue to
deliver its life-changing mission of partnering men
and women who are blind with its elite German
Shepherd guide dogs.
For more information on these gift options, please
contact Susan Greer, Development Director, at
860.243.4043 or [email protected].
Don, along with his
wife, Rita, raised 19
puppies for Fidelco.
In addition, they were
caregivers for a breed
dog and a retired guide.
Many of the Hannigan’s
pups were named
for artists – including
“Faulkner,” “Chaucer,”
“Rembrandt” and “Wyeth.”
We are grateful to Don for his many years of
volunteer service.
William “Bill” Mackie, 1/5/2017
Bill and his wife Jeannie
raised six Fidelco pups
from 2010-2016.
They truly enjoyed
socializing the puppies
and felt fortunate to see
their pups become guide
dogs, doing their job
helping clients live more
independent lives.
Steven “Steve” Pflederer, 1/29/2017
Steve and his wife, Susan,
raised H-25 puppy “Hero.”
The friendships that
developed between the
H-25 litter’s puppy raisers
inspire us every day.
Along with his fellow
puppy raisers, Steve
helped organize several
very successful “Yappy
Hour” Fidelco fundraisers.
Partners in ExceptionalSM Fidelco.org/donate 5
A New Look on the Road
Fidelco is grateful for the commitment of our
exceptional partners. Suburban Subaru of Vernon,
CT recently donated two Subaru Outbacks to
Fidelco’s fleet. Thank you for “Sharing the Love!”
6 FidelcoNews Spring 2017
The Killingworth, New Haven, and Woodbury
CT Lions Clubs each raised $10,000 to match
a $30,000 grant from Lions Club International
Foundation (LCIF) to purchase two vans for Fidelco.
Partners in ExceptionalSM Fidelco.org/donate 7
7th Annual Motorcycle
RIDE FOR INDEPENDENCE
Sunday, July 23rd
THANkS TO ALL PATRIOT, GOLD, CHROME,
STEEL, AND MEDIA SPONSORS:
Aetna
iHeartMedia Communities
Black-Eyed Sally’s
Neligon’s Auto Care Center
Gengras Harley-Davidson
Powerstation Events
Hoffman Auto Group
SpaceFitters, LLC
Hartford Courant
Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC
Hartford Distributors, Inc.
Turnpike Motors Autobody
Hartford Steam Boiler
FOR ALL OF YOUR EYE CARE NEEDS
Comprehensive eye exams • Cataract Surgery •
Glaucoma • Lasik • Dry Eye • Macular Degeneration •
Cosmetic Services • Optical Shop
middlesexeye.com
400 Saybrook Road, St 100
Middletown, CT 06457
860.347.7466
8 FidelcoNews Spring 2017
4 Grove Beach Road, North, St B
Westbrook, CT 06498
860.669.5305
OPEN HOUSE
& Lions Club Appreciation Day
Saturday, May 13th
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
This fun, family event features:
• Guide Dog & K9 Demos
• Blindfold Walks
• Mother’s Day Plant & Flower Sale
• Lions Club Eyeglass Collection
• 4-H Book Sale
• Face Painting
103 Vision Way, Bloomfield, CT
Directions at fidelco.org
DOG DAYS
OF SUMMER
Children’s Program
June 19 - August 11
Weeklong, half-day sessions
8 a.m. - 12 noon or 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.
For dog lovers ages 8-12!
Highlights:
•
Dog ownership and care
• Fidelco guide dogs and how they help
men and women who are blind
• Special canine visitors
Register at fidelco.org
Partners in ExceptionalSM Fidelco.org/donate 9
Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc.
103 Vision Way
Bloomfield, CT 06002
www.fidelco.org
Let’s Start This Puppy Up
2-for-1
•
•
•
•
Registration Special
Through May 1st
BBQ
Live Music
K9 Demos
Raffles
Join Our 7th Annual Motorcycle
RIDE FOR INDEPENDENCE
Sunday, July 23rd
CAN’T JOIN US? Register
as a Ghost Rider and
support Fidelco’s mission!
Register today at
Fidelco.org