Scotland Goes To Denver

Yellow Lab Scotland recently met his new buddy, 13 year-old Emily Romero of Denver, Colo. Emily was so excited to welcome her new K9 Buddy home, she said that she rehearsed his arrival at least three or four times before he got there; washed her favorite dress and polished up her formal shoes for the occasion, and requested from her family that all welcome gifts for Scotland be properly gift-wrapped. Needless to say, the meeting was a joyous event! And we think they make a picture-perfect team, don't you? Here's to a long and lasting friendship Emily and Scotland!

Patriotic Pooch

Just in time for the Fourth of July, GDB breeder dog Stella, above, proudly poses in front of the red, white and blue. Terry Meyers, Stella's breeder keeper, submitted this regal photo to Martha Stewart's online "Patriotic Pets" photo competition (check it out and pass it along!), and writes:

"Stella is a breeder dog for Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafael, CA. She has had two litters of puppies, 19 total. The first puppy graduated last weekend with his new blind partner. Stella loves to be photographed and we took this photo last year on the Fourth. The picture will appear on the Guide Dogs for the Blind 2010 calendar. It will be Stella's third appearance in the calendar."

We may be biased, but we think Stella's photo is Yankee Doodle Dandy!

But speaking of the Fourth of July, just a friendly reminder that your pooch may not enjoy the festivities as much as you do. Keep in mind that parades are crowded, noisy places with lots of potentially scary sights and sounds (sirens! horses! clowns!), and that fireworks can be downright terrifying to your dog. With all the commotion, combined with potentially triple-digit temperatures, you should think twice before including Fido in your celebration. A cool, calm indoor location at home might just be the best spot for your dog to spend the day.

Public Access for Service Animals

People who use service animals enjoy the privilege of bringing their animals into stores, restaurants and on public transportation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Along with that privilege comes a responsibility to make sure the animal is well-behaved and under control. 

Some feel that there are people who are passing their pets off as service animals so that they can take their pets with them everywhere.

Others feel that only people whose dogs (or other animals) have been individually trained to assist them with a physical disability should enjoy public access. 

And still others feel that it is a primarily a question of public safety – dogs/animals that are not good public citizens should not be allowed in public.

What are your thoughts on these issues? 

Other resources: 

• Service With a Snarl, SF Weekly
• Qantas Wants Clearer Pet Rules, Brisbane Times
• Creature Comforts, KQED Radio (audio)
• FAQ for Businesses at guidedogs.com

Snapshots!

Here are some photos and "tails" we thought you'd enjoy....

Above: Guide Dog puppy Angelo

Photo submitted by puppy raiser Sandy Lynch of Chandler, AZ

Above: Puppy sitter Sklyer Nelson with Guide Dog puppy Dominic
Submitted by puppy raiser Jennifer Brewer of Bend, OR

Jennifer writes: Skyler is a puppysitter who has been working with our puppy club since the fall. Skyler is quite remarkable as an honor student, multiple sport athlete, and someone who has been very involved in community service activities. She has received many local awards and scholarships and enjoys working with young people in the community. Skyler and her family have embraced puppysitting as their new favorite activity and our pups have been fortunate to accompany them to numerous school and community events, most recently several tennis matches (Skyler and her doubles partner just became the Oregon High School State tennis champions!).

Skyler was recently named Youth Volunteer of the Year 2009 for Central Oregon for her countless hours of dedication and service. One of Skyler's passions is environmental issues, and she founded the Environmental Club at Bend Senior High and was successful in turning the school into a Certified Green School. We are extremely proud to have her as an active member of our puppy club and a role model for youth in our community.

Above: Guide Dog puppy Jeep
Submitted by puppy raiser Brenda Rae of Castro Valley, CA

Above: Guide Dog puppy Hibachi with Debra Kraimer and her guide Sheena
Submitted by puppy raiser Pat Salzarulo of Lakeside, CA


Above: Vic De Stephanie with puppy raiser Bob Fricke
Submitted by puppy raiser Bob Fricke of Roseville, CA

Vic's IGA Market in Folsom, Calif., recently sponsored the 4th Annual Fund Raiser for the Gold Country Guides Puppy Raising Club. Bob writes: Vic supplied hot dogs, buns, condiments, and soft drinks. We cooked the hot dogs on our grill and sold them with a soda. The proceeds will go towards the costs of harnesses for our puppies that graduate as guides. We also had tables set up with literature and had our puppies available for petting. Several people expressed an interest in Puppy Raising. The event was a huge success - thank you Vic De Stephanie!

Shout Out to a Stellar Volunteer

By Aerial Gilbert, Outreach Manager

Volunteer docent Joan Vennemeyer recently gave a tour of our California campus to a group that included a woman who is blind. She graciously spent a lot of extra time with the woman, answering her questions about our program. Because of her warm and informative guidance, the visitor has now applied to our school to get a Guide Dog. Joan is among thousands of GDB volunteers who make a real difference in peoples’ lives.

And you can, too. By learning more about blindness and GDB, you just may change someone’s life!

Did you know:

• Approximately 1.3 million Americans are legally blind. It is estimated that an additional 47,000 people will lose their vision annually.
• The leading causes of new blindness are progressive, degenerative and/or age-related (such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy).
• You do not need to be totally blind to apply for our programs.
• Guide Dogs, training, equipment, room and board, post-graduate support and financial assistance with veterinary care are all offered free-of-charge to people throughout the US and Canada. For more info, visit guidedogs.com or call (800) 295-4050.

Be a resource!

A New Job for Ryka

By Heidi Sanders

Golden Retriever Ryka recently retired from her colorful career as a GDB breeding stock dog, but she's already found a new meaningful career as a therapy dog with the Friendship Foundation. Ryka joins my other retired GDB breeder, Nessa, who has been on the job as a therapy dog for three years.

During her career as a breeder, Ryka contributed twenty-seven puppies to Guide Dogs. For her first breeding she even traveled to the Guide Dog Foundation in New York! Ryka’s twenty-seven include her first “G” litter of 8, her gorgeous “L” litter of 11, and her last “P” litter of 8 golden/lab crosses. So far, of these twenty-seven puppies two have become breeders, two Guide Dogs, one is in training with Canine Companions for Independence, and one was donated to Pawsitive Teams in San Diego. The others are either still in training or have changed careers. I am proud of Ryka’s legacy to Guide Dogs at the young age of 4 1/2.

Now that Ryka is retired I look forward to her new career with the Friendship Foundation. She has passed her initial tests, and I know much of her learning to become a good therapy dog will take place on the job. I am sure Ryka is thinking: “This is fun. I just go to places, people smile and pet me, I meet other nice dogs, and then I go home again. Wow, this is new to me, and I know I need to work on settling down, but this is very exciting for me. Wish me luck!”

Ryka and I look forward to our many visits with Friendship Foundation. She will take turns visiting with Nessa. We’ll see all of you out there on the job.