TODAY WINTER 2014 NEWSLETTER Puppy Joe is now all grown up and changing lives. See his story inside!
Jazmin & Lucky Ashton WHEN ASHTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS SPONSORED A PUPPY, THEY NAMED IT LUCKY ASHTON because they just knew that the person who would eventually receive their puppy would be extremely lucky. They were right. Meet Jazmin Coll-Serrano, whose guide Lucky Ashton has helped this former military nurse regain her independence after losing her vision to a virus. Lucky and Jazmin travel from coast to coast as she competes in the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass, Colorado, as well as the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic in San Diego. Lucky has swum in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; he has traveled to the mountain where Jazmin competed in cross-country and downhill skiing; he has perched in the boat during many rowing competitions; and has even earned a certificate for the Longest Wave award in a surfing competition! Lucky guided me through airports without any difficulty, she shares. He s perfect on the bus, and at the hotel he guides me through everything. Everyone on my team loves Lucky. He s social, alert, and friendly to everyone. MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Dear Friends, Southeastern Guide Dogs is governed by an independent Board of Directors, and our role remains constant: to measure and review the school s performance while steering the organization toward an effective, impactful future. Every quarter we review our key performance indicators and assess how we re doing. Are we on course? Are we serving our students, graduates, volunteers, donors, and staff with excellence? Are we meeting their unique needs? Do we have the necessary resources now and into the future? Every year we review our impact. Are we making a difference? Are we changing lives? Is our world a better place because we are here? As we meet together to evaluate, plan, and make significant decisions, our focus continues to be on quality over quantity. Our desire is that the quality of our services exceeds expectations. We want our students to be delighted at how much we care. We want our volunteers to know how much they matter. We want our donors to understand that we value not just their donations, but also their hearts. It s quality over quantity. It s moving beyond ordinary to offer extraordinary to all of our constituents. Thank you so much for making this possible. Sincerely, HOW ONE DAY MADE A DIFFERENCE HELP WANTED MUST LOVE DOGS Is there room in your heart and home for a puppy? Then we need you! Our volunteer puppy raisers welcome a 9-week-old puppy into their homes. With plenty of training, support, and veterinary care provided, raisers help puppies gain socialization and early skills to become successful guide dogs. As a volunteer, you ll join a supportive group of other raisers to help you along the way. Our puppies gain experience in home life, basic obedience, and everyday excursions, until their return to campus for formal training at 14 20 months. All it takes is a little commitment and a lot of love. Visit www.guidedogs.org/raiseapuppy and apply today! AFTER SPOTTING A PUPPY IN HIS LITTLE BLUE COAT, DAPHNE COLLIER DECIDED THAT ONE DAY SHE WOULD RAISE A PUPPY. One day she looked out the window of her Sunday school class and saw a billboard that read, Raise a Puppy for Southeastern Guide Dogs. The writing was on the wall and she applied that week. Daphne is now raising her fourth puppy, a superhero named Blaze after the Taylor Ranch Elementary Trailblazers. She also serves as Assistant Area Coordinator for her puppy raiser group, helping plan outings and exposure sessions. Daphne recalls the day she met the graduate who had been paired with one of her puppies. I put Puppy Raiser Day right up there with weddings and the birth of my children, she shares. It was one of the most amazing days. When you see how grateful the people are who get the dogs, it makes you realize you re making a huge difference. Kathleen E. Riley Chairman of the Board SUMMER 2009 3
A TALE OF Tissues, Confidence, and a Winning Name At each graduation ceremony, each student has the opportunity to share a few words with gathered family, friends, and guests. And always their new best friend stands beside them, eagerly waiting to guide them home. That s when you hear the faint sounds of sniffling and see telltale white tissues dabbing at teary eyes. As our graduates share the life-changing impact that our guide dogs have made in just that first month of training, the air is electric with hope and anticipation. Guests can t help but get misty as our graduates share stories of newfound freedom. Our incredible puppies deliver hope and confidence, allowing our graduates to live life to the fullest often beyond what they thought possible. At graduation, students and guides are introduced by name. Did you know that our puppies are named by the generous people who support our mission? Every puppy s name carries significance, whether named after a beloved pet, an honored family member, or even the organization that sponsored it. Naming a puppy is an honor! As a way of saying thank you to our donors, we are providing an honorary puppy naming sponsorship where donors of $25 or more will be entered into a drawing for a chance to name a puppy. If you d like to participate in this fun and exciting puppy naming sponsorship, simply send in a donation of $25 or more with the enclosed reply envelope before March 31, 2014. We will select one lucky (and caring) donor, and notify the winner by mail on April 11, 2014. And one day, perhaps a puppy with your chosen name will be introduced at an emotional graduation. What a proud moment! What name will you choose? Send in your gift before the end of March, and good luck! Introducing OUTREACH CENTER & DOG BOUTIQUE ST. PETERSBURG 316 Central Avenue St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Shopping and Smiles at our New St. Pete Center LAUNCHED WITH A FANTASTIC NOVEMBER 1ST GRAND OPENING, OUR ST. PETERSBURG OUTREACH CENTER AND DOG BOUTIQUE NOW WELCOMES VISITORS AND SHOPPERS TO OUR BRIGHT AND CHEERY NEW LOCATION. Right in the heart of downtown St. Pete, this new Central Avenue spot offers unique, dog-friendly gifts as well as exciting events for people and dogs. The Dog Boutique has been a huge success, and shoppers are raving about the selection of healthy treats and cookies, fabulous doggy clothing, unique toys, special shampoos, and pet-themed gifts. Visitors can enjoy special events such as Wag n Greets, hosted by Ambassador Dogs and their handlers, and complimentary dog massages with doggy spa products on sale. Check our website for upcoming events. Opening the center gave Southeastern Guide Dogs a new reach into a community that already plays an important role for our school. The City of St. Petersburg has opened its arms to our mission, hosts one of our biggest Walkathons, and is home to many supporters and volunteers. This new location offers our northern neighbors a closer connection and now all it needs is a visit from you. Stop by today! Visit GuideDogs.org/StPete for more information
Join in the Fun! 2014 Fundraise! Set up a fundraising page at GuideDogsWalkathon.org Start a Team Join a Team Join as an Individual Incentives! * $100 - Walkathon T-Shirt (and dog bandanas for participating dogs) $250 - Walkathon Tervis Tumbler $1,000 - Walkathon Top Dog T-Shirt $3,500 - Name a Southeastern Guide Dogs Puppy WALKATHON 2014 FOR THE LOVE OF DOGS! Bradenton Rossi Park February 22 St. Petersburg Vinoy Park March 1 The Villages The Polo Club March 15 Tampa Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park March 22 Sarasota Payne Park March 29 WITH OVER A QUARTER CENTURY OF TRADITION BEHIND OUR WALKATHONS, 2014 MIGHT GO DOWN IN THE RECORD BOOKS AND WE D LOVE FOR YOU TO HELP MAKE THAT HAPPEN! Our cast of dedicated volunteers, loyal sponsors, and enthusiastic staff members are behind the scenes planning five wonderful and worthy Walkathons, adding Tampa and The Villages to last year s roster of Bradenton, Sarasota, and St. Petersburg. With five Walkathons and the amazing support of friends like you, this could be our biggest success yet. We re counting on your two feet plus your two- and four-legged friends to make this a Walkathon season to remember. Each event will have a flavor of its own, with picturesque views along waterways or scenic parks, with plenty of adorable dogs, good food, shopping and more. But the best part is all of the smiling faces coming together for this spectacular cause our life-changing guide dogs. Our Walkathons are our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we can t tell you enough how much your support matters. The funds raised at our Walkathons directly impact our programs, keeping our puppies healthy, kennels full, dog food stocked, harnesses ready, and of course, our students and graduates cared for with the utmost respect and honor. Because that s what it s all about serving our visually impaired students and providing them with our world-class guide dogs, while giving our puppies the best life possible. So put together a team of friends to join the fun. And ask your families, friends, neighbors, coworkers, customers, shopkeepers, and anyone else in your circles to take a walk or donate on behalf of our dogs. Fundraising has never been this fun. See you there! Walk! Two- and fourlegged supporters are welcome. Dogs should be well behaved, friendly and on a short leash (for safety, please no retractable leashes). * To qualify for the t-shirt, Tervis tumbler and Top Dog t-shirt incentives you must reach these goals individually, even if you are part of a team. Team members can combine their individual fundraising totals to Name a Puppy but they must be part of the same team. For all levels except Name a Puppy, participants must be present to receive their incentives. Tervis Tumbler Walkathon T-Shirt Walkathon Top Dog T-Shirt Event details and signup at GuideDogsWalkathon.org Dogs Making a Difference!
G.I.s and JOE COMMANDER JOE IS NO ORDINARY DOG. THIS INCREDIBLE BLACK AND TAN LAB KNOWS MANY COMMANDS, BUT PERHAPS HIS FAVORITE IS GO VISIT. Joe is a Facility Therapy Dog making his rounds at the Naval Health Branch Clinic, one of the largest military clinics located at Joint Base Andrews (formerly Andrews Air Force Base) in Maryland. When Clinic Manager Lt. Tracy Krauss observed increasing levels of anxiety in patients, she reached out to Southeastern Guide Dogs. She had heard about the calming, therapeutic effect that therapy dogs can bring to medical facilities, and wanted the same for patients there. Joe - who was not selected for a guiding career due to his exceptionally outgoing personality - was the perfect choice, and Lt. Krauss is now his handler. When they arrive at the clinic, Lt. Krauss says, Go visit. Joe carries his leash in his mouth and walks around the waiting room. Using his keen sense of smell, Joe has learned to detect the hidden scent of emotional distress. When he identifies someone he wants to stay with someone who needs him he drops his leash to indicate, I m staying here for a bit. At times, military personal are afraid to ask for help, but Joe helps make the environment more relaxed. And clinic personnel take notice of who Joe chooses. The individual may only be there for a sore throat, but if Joe is there, the staff takes time to ask additional questions. Joe has sniffed out several patients with emotional distress, including the warning signs of Post Traumatic Stress. Joe is one of nine Facility Therapy Dogs making a difference at military healthcare facilities such as Walter Reed, Quantico, and Camp Lejuene, to name a few. Each dog serves thousands of veterans every year, making daily rounds through the facility. When wounded soldiers are far from home, the warm embrace of a loving dog brings back memories of home and improves morale, adding immeasurable value to the healing process. MESSAGE FROM THE CEO Dear Friend, There s someone I d like you to meet Don Olinger. Don is one of our graduates, and since you can t meet him in person, you can read his letter here. He and his guide Ralphie are sharing life together, and Ralphie has made quite an impact. When I first read Don s letter, I couldn t help but feel proud that we played such a big part in helping Don turn things around. Don led an active and purposeful life until Stargardt s Disease stole his vision. I thought my life was over, he shares in this letter. I won t give the rest away, but I couldn t wait to share Don s story with you. And his is just one of the many, many stories who share a similar outcome. And that s why we keep doing what we re doing. Warm regards, Titus Herman Chief Executive Officer October 14, 2013 Dear Titus, I have been legally blind as the result of Stargardt s Disease since 1998. It s a progressive disease, slowly robbing my vision. In 2011, I reached the low point of my life. I went on disability, ended my career as a minister, and left New York City for an independent living center in Fort Myers, where the average age was over 82. I was 59, and I thought my life was over and then I found Southeastern Guide Dogs. Ralphie has saved my life. This wonderful, goofy dog was born on April 1, and lives up to his birth date. Your genetics staff tells me that he s a tri-colored, brindle black and tan lab. He s more than a guide he s amazing. He s everything. Ralphie is my traveling companion and recently traveled with me to New York City, fl ying and riding the subways and cabs like a pro. He accompanied me to be honored for my work in developing an affordable senior housing facility, and, surprisingly, it was he who took the bows following my acceptance talk. Ralphie is my coach, too. We walk over 4 miles a day and I have lost over 30 pounds. He s my social director; strangers stop to tell me how beautiful he is. He s my entertainment. My dentist has decided he is a Lapador as he drapes himself across my lap to protect me from her drill. He s my alarm clock, waking me up before 6:00 each morning and making sure we are home each night by his 9:00 bedtime. He s my timekeeper, also. If I talk too long at a presentation, he moans loudly and even gets up and heads to the nearest door. During my training, my confi dence and self-esteem began to be transformed the second time I walked the Freedom Walk with my guide dog. As we walked, my trainer Alice quietly said, Don, lift up your head and look around. Tears ran down my cheeks. For the fi rst time in over 15 years, I was free to see the world eye-to-eye instead of peering down trying to watch the ground. Today, thanks to Ralphie, thanks to the encouragement from the members of my class and the staff at Southeastern, and to the assistance of my friends, I no longer live in the independent living center. Ralphie and I moved to a beautiful apartment in the midst of Coconut Point Mall, where Ralphie is tirelessly campaigning to become mayor as we shop and walk along the sidewalks and stores. Thanks to Ralphie who is trying to help me type this page and the Southeastern community, I can see (pun intended) a future fi lled with new adventures and much hope. And it s Ralphie who is helping to show me the way. Sincerely, Don Olinger R D O
A DREAM COME TRUE: THE KEITH G. HIRST CANINE ASSESSMENT CENTER UPDATE RIGHT BEFORE OUR EYES, WE RE WATCHING A DREAM COME TRUE AS THE FOUNDATION IS LAID, THE WALLS GO UP, AND THE ROOF COMES ON OUR NEW CANINE ASSESSMENT CENTER. Through the generosity of Sarasota philanthropist Keith G. Hirst and our supporters who answered the call to Keith s matching campaign, we raised the funds to build this much-needed facility. And now it s happening! This new center will house our older puppies returning to campus from puppy raiser homes. We call it Guide Dog U, where our puppies begin a season of formal harness training before becoming guide dogs. The Canine Assessment Center serves as their freshman dorm where our professional trainers and veterinary staff perform a number of evaluations to assess their health, intelligence, temperament, and trainability. Full Circle with Fanny Haine Retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Fanny Haine spent part of her childhood in Africa, where her parents taught her a deep respect for animals. The family later moved to Paris, where her parents Lions Club sponsored an orphanage for blind children. At age 20, Fanny traveled to the U.S. through a Lions Club sponsorship, staying with Lions families and learning about the club s vision-related programs. She became a U.S. citizen, joined the Army, and enjoyed a successful military career. Fanny heard about Southeastern Guide Dogs at a Sun City Military Officers Association for America (MOAA) event. Since then she has volunteered by walking our dogs, socializing our puppies, and hosting our dogs-in-training on weekends. Fanny quickly saw that Southeastern Guide Dogs was an extraordinary organization, and with no children of her own, decided to include the school in her estate planning. Becoming a Founder in the Heritage Society completes a full circle, as I continue my parents contribution, she says. In their honor I chose to name Southeastern Guide Dogs in my will. Southeastern Guide Dogs appreciates Fanny and hundreds of other wonderful supporters like her who are linking arms to perpetuate our work and mission. After breaking ground in July 2013, it s been a real thrill to watch the progress of the new center. In September it looked like a giant pile of dirt as the ground prep took place. November witnessed cement foundations and rebar, followed by the appearance of full walls. That was especially exciting, because it finally looked like a building! Utilities, storm water drainage systems, roof trusses, dog runs, covered porches every day there s something new, and the Grand Opening is just around the corner. In fact, you can watch the progress as we post photos online at www.guidedogs.org/hirstupdate. We anticipate that the brand new Keith G. Hirst Canine Assessment Center will be completed in the spring of 2014, and for that, we re beyond thankful. We appreciate the many hands that have worked hard to raise the funds and build this center, especially the generous hands of Keith Hirst. Heritage Society Pursuing the mission - Ensuring the vision Enroll me/us in the Heritage Society as Member(s) as Founder(s) Legacy gift of any size Legacy gift of $100,000 or more Name(s) Address City, State, Zip Phone Email I/We would like to remain anonymous I have included Southeastern Guide Dogs in my estate plan. My gift is in the form of: Charitable Bequest Charitable Gift Annuity Charitable Remainder Trust Retirement Plan/IRA Life Insurance Gift Charitable Lead Trust Other (please describe): Description/amount of gift (optional) SUMMER 2009 11 Please return this completed form to: Southeastern Guide Dogs 4210 77th Street East, Palmetto, FL 34221
CHANGE THE WORLD WITH SPARE CHANGE SPARE CHANGE JUST MIGHT CHANGE THE WORLD FOR OUR GUIDE DOG RECIPIENTS, AND OUR ROUNDUP4 GUIDEDOGS PROGRAM OFFERS RESTAURANTS, RETAIL SHOPS, AND CUSTOMERS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL. Participating restaurants and stores simply offer their customers the chance to round up their bill to the next dollar, with proceeds from the change donated to Southeastern Guide Dogs. The new program is easy to implement for owners and managers, and participating restaurants and stores gain a reputation as establishments that care. Pennies can add up to dollars, and dollars can add up to a wonderful impact, purchasing dog food and other supplies for our school. Here s where we need you can you help us spread the word about RoundUp4 GuideDogs? If you know of a restaurant or retail store that may want to participate please let us know. If you own or manage a shop or restaurant, call today and let s get started with RoundUp4 GuideDogs! Contact Katie Morrow at katie.morrow@guidedogs.org or 941.479.6602. RAISE & TRAIN YOUR PUPPY LIKE THE EXPERTS! DOES YOUR PUPPY HAVE GOOD MANNERS? OURS DO AND YOURS CAN TOO! In our 30+ years of training guide dogs, our certified trainers and staff veterinarians have learned a thing or two about top-notch training techniques. Now we re sharing this wealth of information through a wonderful book and companion video called Raise and Train Your Puppy Like the Experts. This step-by-step training guide takes you through puppy s first year, offering health and wellness tips along with training how-to s. The book is available in our gift shops in Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and on our Palmetto campus, as well as online at GuideDogs.org/store. 100% of the proceeds support our school, so purchase your copy today!