2016 Spring Newsletter PDF - Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation

spring 2016
FidelcoNews
Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc.
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FidelcoNews spring 2016
FidelcoNews
spring 2016
In this issue
1. Exceptional Care for our Special Dogs
2. Guide Dogs for Veterans
4. A Talented Team
5. New Location Expands our Reach
6. Special Ways to Give
8. Join Us in Changing Lives
9. About Fidelco
Partners in Hope
Fidelco is in the business
of delivering hope. Housed
within the simple word are
many others: expectation,
optimism, anticipation,
courage, and happiness.
Because you believe that
helping another person is
simply the right thing to do,
your donations to Fidelco
create hope and deliver
exceptional life-changing outcomes. Thank you.
For our blind clients partnered with Fidelco German
Shepherd Guide Dogs, hope might mean crossing
a busy street without fear or connecting with others
who face similar challenges.
Maybe it’s as simple as rediscovering a favorite
fishing spot and being completely immersed in the
pure joy of catching a really big fish.
Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc.
Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
dedicated to providing the highest quality German
Shepherd Guide Dogs to men and women who are
blind at no cost to the recipient.
For over five decades, your support has enabled
thousands of volunteers to bring their passions
and millions of hours of time to Fidelco. This
combination makes the delivery of hope not only
possible, but probable. Thank you.
In the words of poet Emily Dickenson,
www.fidelco.org
103 Vision Way
Bloomfield, CT 06002
860.243.5200
27 Cannon Rd.
Wilton, CT 06897
203.529.8201
“Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all…”
Thank you for your partnership in hope.
Eliot D. Russman
President and Chief Executive Officer
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FidelcoNews spring 2016
Exceptional Care for our Special Dogs
The health and well-being of Fidelco German Shepherd Dogs is a top priority. We know they are in the best
hands with Dr. George Keech who leads our Veterinary Medicine team. Fidelco extends an enthusiastic
welcome to our new additions.
Fidelco’s Veterinary Medicine team (L-R): Lee Smith, Dr. George Keech and Megan Geraci
Dr. George Keech, VMD, Fidelco’s Director of
Veterinary Medicine, has been practicing in the
United States and in Europe for nearly 30 years.
Dr. Keech is a widely published author who
brings a lifetime of research and experience to
Fidelco. He is a distinguished member of the
American Veterinary Medical Association, American
Association for Laboratory Animal Science,
Academy of Surgical Research and numerous
European animal associations. Dr. Keech has served
on many university committees, including UConn
Health Center Institutional Animal Care and Use.
Megan Geraci, Veterinary Technician, joins
Fidelco with 24 years of experience in the field.
She will work with Dr. Keech in addressing the
general health concerns of the colony. Megan
has held positions at several animal hospitals
and veterinary practices throughout Connecticut.
She has two rescue cats and enjoys hiking,
camping, jewelry-making, and reading.
Kellee “Lee” Smith, Veterinary Technician,
will spearhead the breed colony’s health,
acquisition, mating, whelping, and management.
Lee brings 26 years of experience, the last 19 of
which she has spent specializing in breeding.
When Lee is not working, she enjoys spending
time with her family’s dogs, hiking and traveling
to Cape Cod with her husband, Matt.
Share the Vision® – fidelco.org/donate
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Guide Dogs for Veterans
American Council of Life Insurers supports our life-changing mission
Fidelco is proud of its long history of providing
services to our American heroes—members of
all branches of the military who have experienced
vision loss. With their Fidelco German Shepherd
Guide Dog partners, these brave men and women
regain their independence and become part of
the fabric of their communities.
Joe Link
Throughout his life, U.S. Marine Corp Major and
Navy SEAL Joe Link (Ret.) has faced adversity
both on and off the battlefield. Joe lost his vision
in 1983, from an injury sustained during his service
in Vietnam, and has relied on guide dog partners
for many years to help him achieve what he values
most – to live a life of meaning.
Thanks to the generous and heartfelt support of
the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI), its
member companies and the 2014 ACLI Capital
Challenge 5K Road Race, Joe received Fidelco
Guide Dog Tonka in August of the same year. He
describes the experience as extraordinary, even
for a longtime guide dog user like himself.
“I have never had an animal that works so
hard and behaves so well. Tonka is a wonderful
companion, and our relationship is still growing.”
Joe’s commitment to mentoring people with vision
loss is remarkable. He attributes much of this
astounding internal fortitude to his guide dogs –
to Tonka. Joe regularly speaks to children in local
schools and volunteers at the regional Veterans
Administration hospital, where he helps to escort
newly blinded veterans to their appointments.
Joe also leads by example as a member of the
Blind Golf Association and the Disabled American
Veterans Association in Oklahoma.
The connection between Joe and Tonka is both
strong and intuitive; Tonka understands so much
more than Joe’s pace or the places he likes to visit.
Joe believes that Tonka may even be part
Marine, too, because he’s so faithful and loyal,
especially in the exceptionally gentle and loving
way he responds to Joe’s young granddaughters.
Semper Fi Tonka, Semper Fi.
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FidelcoNews spring 2016
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James Robinson
James Robinson – a man who rose to the rank of
sergeant in the U.S. military and served 20 years in
law enforcement – found himself hesitant to leave
his Tampa home as he lost his vision to glaucoma.
This sense of uncertainty reached a tipping point
a few years ago when James was nearly struck by
a car while crossing a street in his neighborhood.
James couldn’t have imagined that one day a
German Shepherd Guide Dog named Cole would
provide the confidence he needed to travel safely –
and become his best friend.
For someone like James, a father of two grown
children, who spent more than half his life
courageously serving and protecting his nation and
community, placing trust in a guide dog was an act
of bravery in itself. And ever since the team came
together last April, that trust has only deepened.
Cole was provided by the patriotic and sincere
generosity of the ACLI.
“Cole is my lifeline and protector.”
More than providing safe travel, the gift of Cole has
inspired James to resume the activities he loves
and to tackle new adventures. James is currently
working toward a license to open his own
business through a Florida Division of Blind
Services program that provides job opportunities
for people with vision loss.
Cole is also helping James to reclaim all that brings
him joy; fishing is at the top of that list, and with
Cole beside him, James is doing more of that, too.
James has fallen for Cole - hook, line, and sinker.
Pictured at the ACLI’s
Capital Challenge Run
in Washington D.C.:
Fidelco staff Brodie
Dodd and Tommy
Mourad, Fidelco
client SSgt Michael
Malarsie, USAF (Ret.)
and ACLI President
and CEO, Governor
Dirk Kempthorne
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Share the Vision® – fidelco.org/donate
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A Talented Team
When Dr. Jay Courniotes attended the American
Kennel Club’s Cluster Show at the Eastern States
Exposition Hall over Thanksgiving weekend, he
never imagined he’d one day be a participant
instead of a spectator.
He had initially attended with his Fidelco puppy,
Muse, because with 2,000 dogs at the show and
at least that many people, he figured this was an
excellent socialization opportunity for his most
recent pup-in-training.
Dr. Jay, as he is known around Fidelco, has raised
twelve dogs, ten of whom have gone on to become
Fidelco Guide Dogs. One of those guide dogs,
Unique, earned the American Red Cross Heroes
Award for saving his blind partner’s life when their
home was struck by lightning while they slept,
triggering an intense fire. He’s now raising Delphi,
who still has months to go before her formal guide
dog training begins.
Back at Eastern States, as Dr. Jay watched the Rally
Obedience Class, something in him clicked, and
he decided to join the show the next time around
with Muse who was now a Fidelco breed dog. He
began his preparation by taking Muse to one rally
obedience training class in Chicopee, Mass., and by
applying for a Pedigree Alternative Listing, which
was an A.K.C. entry requirement.
On the big three-day weekend, Dr. Jay and Muse
competed against 28 other teams in three separate
shows; they won a blue ribbon in the novice
category. Congratulations, Dr. Jay and Muse!
Interested in joining our team
of Volunteer Puppy Raisers?
Visit www.fidelco.org/volunteer to
learn how you can raise a puppy and
change someone’s life.
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FidelcoNews spring 2016
New Location Expands our Reach
Building on our more than 50-year tradition
of creating unbreakable bonds between people
with vision loss and their guide dogs, we are
proud to announce the opening of Fidelco’s
new office and Norma F. Pfriem Training Center
in Wilton, CT. This additional location will enable
us to bring more local opportunities to our Fairfield
volunteers and supporters and further engage
with this vibrant community.
Most importantly, it will allow us to place a greater
number of guide dogs with people who are blind
or visually impaired.
For more information or to schedule a visit,
please contact Nancy Lothrop, Vice President,
Organizational Advancement & Outreach at
203.361.6743 or [email protected].
Pictured: Fidelco training staff in Wilton. Top Row, L-R: Bryant O’Neill with Marcus, Lindsay Kababik, Director of
Training Tommy Mourad, Eric Gardell, Gretchen Fisher Orr with Maris and Jennifer Caley with Woodstock. Bottom
row, L-R: Ali Ritchie with Talia, Chris Eastwood with Onyx and Peter Nowicki with Lasko.
Share the Vision® – fidelco.org/donate
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Special Ways to Give
Monthly Giving
Did you know Fidelco is a 365-day operation? 366
days in leap years like 2016! We are here because
blindness doesn’t take a day off, nor do Fidelco’s
German Shepherd Guide Dogs, its dedicated staff,
or compassionate volunteers. Their teamwork
changes lives every day.
A donation of as little as $1/day will help Fidelco
deliver its charitable mission of providing
exceptional guide dogs to men and women
who are blind or visually impaired. That’s just
four cents for each hour.
We can make it very easy for you to share those
pennies with our monthly giving program – and it
actually saves money for Fidelco.
and sustaining support from our recurring donors,
we are able to give hope to more men and women
who are blind and who are waiting to hear the
words, “We have a Fidelco Guide Dog for you.”
“I became a monthly donor a year ago. I like the
convenience and being able to make changes
when I want. Recently, I increased my gift by $5
per month. It is the cost of a few cups of coffee for
me, but I learned it will feed a puppy for a week.”
– Kristine
It’s very easy to set up your recurring donation
at Fidelco.org. Simply choose the amount you wish
to give and know you can change your pledge
at any time. For more information, contact Susan
Greer at (860) 243-4043 or [email protected].
Please join some of our most passionate donors
with a monthly gift to Fidelco. With the reliable
Kennel Enrichment Program: A Loving Tribute
When Fidelco supporter Mary Beth’s dear friend, Kaye,
passed away, she wanted to do something to honor her great
generosity and compassion. A personalized mural now graces
the walls of the Fidelco kennel, paying tribute to Kaye’s legacy
and some of the things she loved.
To learn more about this and other opportunities to
acknowledge a special person, please contact: Nancy
Lothrop at 203.361.6743 or [email protected].
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FidelcoNews spring 2016
IRA Charitable Rollover Gifts
Thank you to our generous donors who have
made IRA Charitable Rollover gifts to Fidelco!
A tax incentive known as the IRA Charitable
Rollover enables our friends who are 70 ½ years
old or over to support Fidelco through a taxfree withdrawal of any amount up to $100,000
from an individual retirement account (IRA), if the
withdrawal is transferred directly to Fidelco.
For your convenience, Fidelco has created a
sample letter you can send to your IRA Custodian.
For a copy or for additional information about
naming Fidelco the beneficiary of your IRA or 401(k)
account, please visit Fidelco.org or contact Doug
Nelson at 860.243.4050 or [email protected].
Last year, the president worked with congress to
create new legislation known as PATH (Protecting
Americans from Tax Hikes Act). This was signed
on December 18, 2015, making the IRA charitable
rollover program permanent.
According to the IRS, an IRA Charitable Rollover
is not included in your adjustable gross income
and it may fulfill all or part of your Required
Minimum Distribution for this year. Please consult
your tax advisor.
Share the Vision® – fidelco.org/donate
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Join Us in Changing Lives
Open House
Find out what happens behind-the-scenes at our
annual Open House and Lions Appreciation Day on
Saturday, May 14th from 10:00am – 2:00pm. Enjoy
tours of our Bloomfield campus, see the amazing
work of local K9 officers, observe adorable puppies,
and participate in a blindfold walk.
Dog Days of Summer
Children learn about German Shepherd Guide
Dogs and how they are trained to provide
independence for our clients. They also explore
other breeds, canine development, puppy raising,
dog training, health care, grooming, and first aid.
Lots of hands-on time with our exceptional
dogs – plus special visits from working K9s.
Program offered June – August.
Ride for Independence
Join us on Sunday, July 17th for our 6th Annual Ride
for Independence and help us to Share the Vision®
with men and women who are blind across North
America, including our nation’s military heroes
with vision loss. This family-friendly motorcycle
fundraiser offers something for everyone.
Hartford Marathon
We are excited to participate in the Eversource
Hartford Marathon on Saturday, October 8th for
the fourth year in a row! We know we can count on
Team Fidelco to raise awareness and gain support
of our life-changing mission.
Visit Fidelco.org for more information.
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FidelcoNews spring 2016
About Fidelco
Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation is an internationally
accredited nonprofit with locations in Bloomfield
and Wilton, CT. We provide the highest quality
German Shepherd Guide Dogs to people with
vision loss.
Fidelco has placed more than 1,400 guide dogs
throughout North America. Each guide dog takes
two years, 15,000 hours, and $45,000 to produce
– yet all services are provided to clients at no cost.
Fidelco relies solely on the generosity and financial
support of individuals, foundations, corporations,
and civic organizations.
Fidelco pioneered In-Community Placement in the
United States, a process which allows guide dog
users to be trained by professional instructors in the
communities where they live and work. Fidelco
clients receive 24/7 support for the entire working
life of their guide dogs –typically 10 years.
In addition, hundreds of German Shepherd Dogs
are provided to law enforcement agencies, first
responders, and search-and-rescue organizations
to help protect our fellow citizens and keep our
communities safe.
Donations to Fidelco are deductible as 501(c)(3)
contributions on a federal income tax return.
Please consult your tax advisor for specific details.
Do you know someone who is blind or visually
impaired and is interested in applying for a guide
dog? If so, please contact Fidelco at 860.243.5200
or [email protected].
www.fidelco.org
Share the Vision® – fidelco.org/donate
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Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc.
103 Vision Way, Bloomfield, CT 06002
Office 860.243.5200
27 Cannon Rd. Wilton, CT 06897
Office 203.529.8201
www.fidelco.org
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen
or even touched. They must be felt within the heart.” Helen Keller