GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND - ALUMNI NEWS
Volume 21 – Number 3
Theresa Stern, Director of Alumni and Outreach Services, Editor
Leanne Bremner, Copy Editor
Send submissions to the editor via tape, phone, mail, or e-mail tstern@guidedogs.com
Alumni Association Mission Statement
The Alumni Association will support the vision of GDB of “using our power of partnering to
improve quality of life” by building a strong sustainable community of support among our Alumni.
We will work to support Alumni success with their guide, in building relationships with others,
and actively participating in the greater GDB community.
Alumni Association Board of Directors Mission Statement
Connecting Our Community through Leadership, Advocacy, Communication and Outreach
Alumni News is available electronically, in Braille, and on audio CD. If you are able to access
email and would like future issues sent to you electronically, please let Theresa Stern know at
tstern@guidedogs.com. Email allows us to get the news to you in a timely manner and is easy
on the environment!
We'd like to send our very special thanks to all of our Alumni who, by their efforts and their
examples, refer others to our program.
Table of Contents
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
A Message from the CEO, by Chris Benninger
From Your Alumni Association
a. A Note from the Alumni Association Board Chair, by Becky Andrews
b. Alumni Association Board Meeting Summary, by Michelle Miller
News From the Outreach and Alumni Services Department
a. Survey Says, by Theresa Stern
b. Welcome New Outreach Alumni Reps, by Jane Flower
Staff Spotlight
a. The Best Summer Internship Ever, by Jake Koch
Chapter Chat
a. Mommies with Guides Rock the Rose Festival, by Tracy Boyd
Ask the Experts
a. Knock, Knock. Who’s There? A Calm Guide Dog! by Vanessa Lyens
In Our Own Words
a. What I Did On My Summer Vacation, by Steve Lewis
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Alumni Bulletin Board
In Memoriam, In Memory, In Tribute
Gift Shop News
Announcements
List of Alumni Association Board Members
List of Alumni Chapters
A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
By:
Chris Benninger, GDB President and CEO
It has been nearly six months since I started at Guide Dogs for the Blind and I have to say that
I’m as excited about being here as I was my first day on the job! GDB is an amazing
organization and I’m awed by the miracles that happen here each and every day.
One of the real joys of my job has been the opportunity to meet and get to know our students
and alumni. Whenever I am on campus, I always enjoy having lunch with our students. I’ve
gotten to know so many interesting and accomplished people and it has been very helpful to me
to hear about their experiences as students. I also recently had the great pleasure to spend a
day with our Alumni Association Board members. What an amazing group of talented
individuals from all over the U.S. and Canada who represent you as alumni! We spent the
afternoon sharing and defining our focus for this year -- that of increasing participation among
our alumni group. I’m sure that you will be hearing more about this as the year unfolds.
However, I just want you to know that you are well represented and I very much look forward to
working together with the Alumni Association Board in the year ahead.
We are very grateful to you for choosing Guide Dogs for the Blind as your guide school and I
look forward to all the wonderful things that we can achieve together in the months and years
ahead!
Warm regards,
Chris Benninger
President and CEO
FROM YOUR ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
A Note from the Alumni Association Board Chair
By:
Becky Andrews with Georgina
Alumni Association Board Chair
Greetings Fellow Alum
I recently returned home from our GDB Alumni Association Board Meetings held in conjunction
with the GDB Board of Director Meetings in San Rafael. I left inspired by the dedication and
commitment by the GDB Board, GDB Staff, Volunteers, and our Alumni Board. It was a
wonderful pleasure to interact with our CEO, Chris Benninger, in our meetings and at the
graduation on Saturday and see her commitment to, and passion for the GDB mission.
I have been reflecting a lot on the responsibility and opportunity to serve as your chair of the
Alumni Board. It has been a pleasure to attend the GDB Board Meetings the past year and
share. I would love to have an opportunity to sit down and listen and learn from each of you. I
know distance does not make that feasible for us all. I hope you will reach out by email:
bandrews@guidedogs.com or phone: 801-259-3883 / 801-295-4201. I would love to hear from
you.
Thank you to those who have reached out and shared your ideas and concerns. As I look over
our goals for this coming year, they have come from you and the input you have given us! We
are excited to share these with you in the coming weeks!
It is such a pleasure to serve on the GDB Alumni Association Board. We have a great team
committed to making a difference and invite your participation in this journey!
Sincerely,
Becky Andrews & Georgina
Alumni Association Board Chair
Alumni Association Board Meeting Summary
By:
Michelle Miller with Tango
Alumni Association Board Secretary
Who’s Who?
August 21-23, 2014 GDB’s Alumni Association (AA) Board of directors met for its annual inperson meeting held on the San Rafael, California campus. All directors were in attendance and
there was a quorum for all updates, reports, and votes. Due to the full agenda, meetings lasted
an average of 4-6 hours per day. Becky Andrews, AA Board Chair, and Theresa Stern, Director
of Alumni and outreach Services welcomed the board, and everyone introduced themselves.
The three new AA Board members Bruce Gilmore, Dudley Hanks, and Scott Wilcock provided
additional introductory details,; as did Deborah Kendrick, who acts as one of the liaisons
between the AA Board and the GDB Corporate Board of Directors. Melissa Hudson who was
recently appointed to GDB’s Corporate Board, transitioned off the AA board and was recognized
and acknowledged for her time and energy.
Boisterous Brainstorming
Chris Benninger, GDB CEO kicked off the agenda, by facilitating discussions surrounding goals
accomplished by the AA Board during 2013-2014 as well as drilling down into specific needs,
goals, and outcomes for the upcoming year. Topics covered included reviewing the AA board’s
mission statement, challenges experienced traveling with a Guide Dog, defining GDB’s role in
advocacy issues -- internally and externally, and increasing participation in GDB Alumni
Chapters. After several hours of brainstorming and discussions, the broad objective identified
was to increase participation. Each AA Board subcommittee then broke this objective down
further and established more specific goals to address requests, and needs from Graduates.
Committee Contributions
Advocacy committee: Seeking input from graduates regarding advocacy challenges and
accomplishments both within GDB and local communities will be a goal of the committee. The
speaker’s series, surveys, and email list function will continue to serve as a channel for the
committee to receive input from all alumni.
Communications Committee: Writing GDB newsletter articles and blogs will be the primary
responsibility of the committee again this year. Topics and themes will pertain to graduates
accomplishments and challenges; the goal being to connect/unite individuals with common
interests and provide ongoing support and transparency of both successes and challenges
amongst alumni.
Outreach Committee: Supporting grads who have lost guides will be a focus of the Outreach
team this year. The committee will work with Kim Samco, GDB Counselor to reach out to
individuals who are grieving the loss of their guide. Outreach initiatives concerning other types
of service dogs and authentic certifications remain a top priority for the year, and several subcommittees will collaborate to raise awareness about this ongoing concern.
Nominating Committee: Identifying the 2014 (Reach for the Stars) scholarship recipient and
identifying skill gaps and nominating new AA board members will be the focus of the committee.
Valued Viewpoints
Three key GDB departments (finance, marketing, and training-operations) provided updates to
the AA board. Highlights include marketing materials have been updated both with social media
and print; financial reports and budgets for the year are all in the positive, and new strategies for
fund development are in the works; and based on surveys, and data collected from the Support
Center, the Training-Operations Department 90+% are satisfied or more than satisfied with
GDB’s Services.
Buoyant Business
June 2014’s board meeting minutes were reviewed, and passed, and confidentiality statements
and policies were looked over by the entire Board to maintain compliance and understanding
with the board’s bylaws. A sub-committee was created to revise the AA board’s bylaws and
make recommended changes as needed to remain current. An application for creating a new
Alumni Chapter in British Columbia met all requirements, was voted on and approved and
makes the newest of 28 chapters. Also, Results pertaining to the annual GDB graduate survey
were evaluated and discussed and the official written summary of the survey data will be
distributed to all stakeholders by Theresa Stern. Finally, the 2015 Alumni reunion topic wrapped
up the meeting; a sub-committee was formed, and post-survey data from 2013’s reunion will be
used to begin the planning for next year’s event.
Accomplished Agenda
The Alumni association’s next board meeting will be held on December 7, 2014, via phone
conference, and a summary of the meeting will be printed in the next Alumni News publication.
NEWS FROM THE OUTREACH AND ALUMNI SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Survey Says!
By:
Theresa Stern with Dario
Alumni and Outreach Services Director
First, a huge Thank You to all of you who participated in the 2014 Client Services Survey this
spring. Your feedback will assist us greatly in providing the best services possible. This year we
chose to focus our survey on the areas where we had made the most significant changes over
the past year which we determined to be Client Services including, Admissions, Support Center,
Follow-Up, Emergent Visits, and Counseling Services. Our 2013 agency wide survey provided
us with a baseline of satisfaction to which we could compare this year’s findings. The sample
sizes for both years were very similar with a total of 495 completed surveys in 2013 compared
to 460 in 2014.
We had good representation from retrains (58 percent), as well as new graduates (42 percent).
76 percent of respondents lived in a zone covered by a Field Manager prior to March 1, 2013,
10 percent did not and the remaining respondents were split between not knowing if they did or
not or having graduated after March 1, 2013.
Overall Findings
A review of both the qualitative and quantitative data from this survey show that Guide Dogs for
the Blind is perceived by the overwhelming majority of respondents as being an outstanding
organization with exemplary client service programs. From these positive responses, it can be
determined that the changes made to the Field Services model in March of 2013 did not greatly
impact the level of satisfaction that GDB Alumni have with these services. However, a
qualitative review of the comments sections of the survey does indicate that the changes,
namely the laying off of some Graduate Services staff and the redesign of service zones has
resulted in a feeling of lack of trust by a small group of respondents. We are currently working
hard to regain the trust of these important constituents.
The responses to this survey were overwhelmingly positive with the levels of satisfaction in the
90 percentile for most questions. The comparison of the previous survey with the present one
also reflects very little in terms of change in satisfaction levels. We were also able to filter
responses based on retrain status and if the respondent had lived in a Field Manager zone prior
to the changes in Client Services which happened after March 1, 2013. Again, filtering these two
distinct aspects did not reveal any great differences in levels of satisfaction.
Here are a few highlights:
Regarding the Admissions process overall, in 2013 95 percent of respondents reported being
satisfied or very satisfied and in 2014 that number rose to 98 percent. In 2013 90 percent of
those who called GDB for information or advice, 90 percent were satisfied with the outcome of
the call while in 2014 we noted an improvement to 96 percent satisfaction. Satisfaction with the
outcomes of field visits was high both years with 91 percent in 2013 and 96 percent in 2014.
The overall satisfaction with Client Services including: Admissions, Field Services, the Support
Center / Telephonic Support, and our Counseling Services also remains quite high at 97 percent
this year and 93 percent in 2013.
In 2013, 93 percent agreed that they will return to GDB for a successor guide, while this year’s
survey shows that 97 percent agree they will return; in both this year’s and last year’s survey 97
percent of respondents agree they would recommend our program to others.
Overall, in 2013, 78 percent report being very satisfied with the overall program at GDB while 19
percent report being satisfied, for a 97 percent satisfaction rate. When the same question was
asked this year, 75 percent were very satisfied and 23 reported being satisfied for an overall
satisfaction rate of 98 percent.
Suggestions of Note
Interspersed within the comments from the survey were some suggestions that may be worthy
of closer investigation:

Provide opportunities for graduates to meet with each other and their Field Managers via
teleconferences or gatherings.

Provide more information about the Counseling Services, many respondents did not
know these services were provided – lack of info was especially high amongst first time
graduates.

Produce step by step instructions for what to do when retiring a guide dog.

Provide greater contact with graduates the first year they are out and working with their
guides (this has already begun)
Recommendations
It is clear from the responses to this survey that GDB is thought of very highly by its alumni. The
culture of professionalism balanced with a friendly family atmosphere is highly regarded. We will
continue to embrace and celebrate this culture and to make sure this core value is considered in
our future program modifications and communications. Clear and timely communications and
consultation with graduates when possible are strongly recommended. Maintaining feedback
loops, such as these satisfaction surveys are essential to continued success.
Again thanks to all of you who provided feedback to us through this survey. It is through open
communications that we can build mutual trust and your feedback will help us improve. As you
know, GDB is more than just an organization that provides a needed service. We are a
community, a family. It is this characteristic which really makes GDB unique and indeed
exceptional. You need not wait for a survey to provide us with suggestions, please feel free to
call or write anytime!
Welcome New Outreach Alumni Reps!
By:
Jane Flower with Anya
Outreach Manager
The Alumni and Outreach Services Department at Guide Dogs for the Blind is pleased to
announce the hiring of four new part-time Outreach Alumni Representatives. Please join us in
welcoming the following individuals to our team!
Dawn Brady with Nigel (Longmont Colorado)
Pamela Burman with Cabrillo (Chicago Illinois)
Nick Whitney with Cherub (St. Louis Missouri) and
Kayla Reed with Sonic (Simi Valley California)
Each brings with them an extensive background in public speaking, and strong community
development skills. Welcome all of you and we look forward to having you on the outreach
team!
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
The Best Summer Internship Ever!
By:
Jake Koch with Angelina
Summer Marketing Intern and Outreach Alumni Representative
I arrived at the Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) headquarters to start my summer internship in
the marketing department in mid-June. I was excited to be applying my academic knowledge of
Public Relations to an organization. I jumped right in, starting with participating in a panel
discussion about the guide dog lifestyle to youth at the Camp GDB event, and creating a highlevel research plan for learning more about assistive technologies for people who are blind or
visually impaired. Within a few days I knew that the work was a great fit for me. For the first time
in my adult life, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at work, and I now know what I want to do when I
complete my Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations degree from Eastern Washington University.
During my internship, I learned about all aspects of marketing and public relations. Under the
guidance of the marketing team at GDB, I was given a wide variety of projects. There are too
many to list here, so I have selected a few of the highlights to share.
One of the objectives of the marketing department at GDB is to raise awareness about our
brand, and apply the mission statement, which is to empower lives by creating exceptional
partnerships between people, dogs, and communities. I assisted in this in a variety of ways
including:






Hosting an awareness event to members of the airport Policies and Procedures
department of Alaska Airlines.
Partnering with Alaska Airlines to create a training video that will be shared with their
flight crews about assisting a person who is blind or visually impaired.
Providing VIP tours to Brandon Crawford of the San Francisco Giants, managers of the
Home Goods store, and members of the Marketing department of Natural Balance.
Traveling to San Antonio, TX and co-hosting an informational booth at the AER
conference.
Writing blog posts, social media status updates, and press releases for the
organization’s media outlets.
Collaborating with Natural Balance to explore potential cooperative marketing efforts.
I cannot thank Guide Dogs for the Blind enough for their willingness to host me as a summer
intern. I have never worked at an organization where there is so much passion, enthusiasm and
professional knowledge.
Working as an intern at GDB this summer has been more than just learning about marketing
and public relations. This was the first job where I woke up every morning looking forward to the
work day. What made the work so special and amazing you ask? It’s the people who make up
the GDB community. All of the individuals that I worked with this summer are incredible,
talented, passionate, friendly and supportive. Unlike other jobs, employees and volunteers
treated me like anybody else, regardless of my visual impairment. I made a lot of friends this
summer, and felt like I was truly making a difference by helping to forward the mission of GDB. I
was respected and supported. People listened to what I had to say, and I am proud to be a part
of the GDB community. Guide Dogs for the Blind is truly a wonderful place, full of wonderful
people!
Simply put, I had the best summer internship ever!
CHAPTER CHAT
Mommies with Guides Rock the Rose Festival
By:
Tracy Boyd with Chiffon
Mommies with Guides GDB Alumni Chapter President
When I think about opportunities that have materialized for our Mommies with Guides Alumni
Chapter (MWG), over the past year, one of the greatest joys was the Grand Floral Parade. On
June 7th, our families and a few friends were honored to represent Guide Dogs for the Blind in
the annual Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade Walk in Portland, Oregon. We walked the 4 mile
parade route and our faithful guides did not miss a beat! Because the parade route was in the
middle of the streets, our guides treated the course much like a sidewalk-less route. The
professional demeanor of our guides was put to the test by the many distractions as well as
obstacles to negotiate, which they did so beautifully. Every time we heard someone yell out to
us “I love Guide Dogs!” we would swell-up with such pride. All the members of MWG wore GDB
t-shirts and felt so delighted to represent the school. Guides didn't miss a beat as they
demonstrated what life changers they are for each one of us. Our dogs were incredibly well
received by the general public and it was amazing to hear so many people call out to us and
media announce Guide Dogs for the Blind as we passed by. Overall, it was a wonderful event to
participate in and we are already making plans for next year's parade walk festivities in the City
of Roses.
ASK THE EXPERTS
Editor’s Note: I hope you will enjoy this new column. If you would like to submit a question to be
answered in a future issue, email me at tstern@guidedogs.com and I will do my best to hunt
down the answer.
Knock Know. Who’s there? A Calm Guide Dog!
By:
Vanessa Lyens, Training Class Supervisor
Question:
My question for the experts is, using positive reinforcement, how do I keep my guide from going
totally rambunctious and jumping, in a friendly way, every time someone, new or familiar, shows
up at the front door?
Answer from Vanessa Lyens, Training Class Supervisor:
Thank you for your question, the main goal is to reward an alternative, desired behavior (i.e.
your guide sitting at your left side) in place of the undesired behavior (in this case, your guide
jumping up). To accomplish this with handling that focuses on positive reinforcement, rewards
must be proactive and given before your guide’s behavior changes. With this approach and a
training plan, you can build a strong alternative behavior in a very positive way! Let’s take a
closer look at your front door scenario and consider the following training plan:
1. With this plan, the final goal is your guide choosing to sit and check in with you, and holding
their position as you greet a guest at your front door.
2. Identify a calm setting for the initial training sessions. Since the scenario at your front door
triggers excitement in your guide, selecting a different setting might be helpful. The goal is to
practice in an environment where you and your guide can be successful, and you can build a
new, positive history of the desired behavior by rewarding, rewarding, rewarding!
3. Recruit a friend to help you practice “meet and greet” set-ups. The goal is for your friend to be
able to approach and stand in front of you, allowing you to go through the motions of a mock
“meet and greet” without your dog changing position.
Start with your guide on leash, sitting at your left side. Hold your leash a few inches from the
collar, but without causing any collar pressure or holding your guide in place. Use the stay
command. As the exercise begins, reward your guide immediately and proactively, before they
are tempted to stand or greet your friend in any way. Use a very high rate of food rewards at this
stage, coupled with verbal praise. This could mean you are giving food rewards at your left side
every few seconds initially. As the exercise begins, have your friend approach calmly and stop
about 6 feet away, only moving closer in increments when you are ready to proactively reward
your dog for remaining seated. If your dog breaks the seated position, remind them to sit and
stay, and manage them as needed in this moment. Once your dog is seated at your side again,
return to using food rewards proactively. If you need to use your leash and collar to interrupt
excitable behavior from your dog, this is likely a sign the exercise became too difficult too
quickly and/or you aren’t using food rewards at a high enough rate. This is an opportunity to
evaluate the way the lesson is framed and your handling, and make adjustments.
4. Progress by lowering the rate of food rewards. Your dog will be holding their position for
longer prior to receiving a food reward; however the goal remains that food rewards are given
before any undesired behavior occurs. Pretend to be engaged in the “meet and greet” and your
friend, but focus your attention on your guide so as not to miss an opportunity for a well-timed
food reward. Repeat “meet and greet” sessions until you feel your dog has an understanding
that when someone approaches to greet you, it pays off to sit and check in with you, rather than
greet the person.
5. Next, progress can be made by increasing the difficulty of the “meet and greet”. This might
mean your friend is more animated in their greeting or the setting is more challenging. When
increasing the level of difficulty, start the session by using high rate of food rewards again.
6. Once you are ready to start training sessions at your front door, consider how you might
break the process into steps so that your guide is successful. Just like when your friend
approached slowly and calmly during your initial “meet and greet” session, you’ll want to control
the process of someone coming to the door and coming inside so that your rewards can be
proactive. A knock at the door, the doorbell sounding, a voice on the other side of the door, the
door opening in increments, the person slowly coming inside are all examples of how this
exercise can be broken down into small steps. Use a high rate of food rewards initially.
7. As you practice more real life scenarios at your front door and you note good progress, the
rate of food rewards can be lowered. Eventually, you may just be offering one or two food
rewards during a given exchange at your front door.
8. With a focus on positive reinforcement techniques, many sessions can be completed in a
short timeframe and you will find progress can be relatively quick. However, while you are
working through this training plan or if you are unable to multitask in a given moment, it would
be ideal to avoid the situation where your guide practices excited behavior at the door or jumps
up on guests. Consider using a tie-down or crate to prevent the undesired behavior. While your
guide is confined, you can also reward calm behavior with well-timed food rewards.
Happy Training!
IN OUR OWN WORDS
Submissions from GDB Alumni - Please send submissions for consideration to
tstern@guidedogs.com
What I did on My Summer Vacation
By:
Steve Lewis with Brannan
Editor’s Note: Steve submitted this article in the hopes that he would inspire some of his fellow
GDB Alumni to get out and travel.
It has been years since my wife and I have gone anywhere just for pleasure, so we decided to
take a week away. Of course my guide, Brannan, was included in our travels. Having friends
and family in Southern California, we decided to head down south from our home in Lincoln
City, Oregon.
During our planning, I realized that there would be several airline flights involved. I have flown
with Brannan several times in the past and he always does great. I think he has seen the inside
of more airports than most people. I have always had great experiences with Alaska Airlines so
we chose to book our flights with them. Our treatment by the Alaska Airlines staff was nothing
short of perfect. At the check-in desk they processed us and asked if we would like an escort to
the departure gate. It is much easier to get through security screening with an airline escort so
we took them up on the offer. It was only moments until the escort arrived. The escort kindly
offered to help with my carryon and away we went. Security was a breeze. Everyone was
respectful of my guide, wife and me. When we boarded the plane, the flight crew was no
different. They were more than willing to have me manage Brannan and they seemed quite
comfortable in providing service to guide dog teams. The flight was uneventful. Brannan
remembered his airline seat training and rested under the seat in front of me where he remained
for the duration of the flight.
We landed in San Diego and it was warm. Alaska Airlines was at the gate to meet us with an
escort. We were pleasantly surprised since we hadn't requested one on departure. About the
only thing Alaska didn't do was pay for the rental car we would require for travel to outlying
areas!
During our stay in San Diego, we visited Sea World who was also very good to us. At the gate,
we requested a military discount (being former military) on the admission (20% discount). The
attendant saw that I was there with my guide and informed us that being "disabled" I enter free
with my wife paying for her ticket. Of course, we accepted the two for one deal. What we found
inside the park was very refreshing. Unlike some zoos, Sea World has no problem with guides.
There are plenty of areas for relieving. Brannan was not distracted by the animals. He simply
did his job as usual. As this was an unknown area, he was very careful with me. His guide work
was as good as it gets. While at Sea World we did so many things. Even at the shows, Brannan
just lay down and went to sleep. We were at the dolphin tank for a while; the dolphins were
more interested in Brannan that he was in them.
Next, we traveled up to Irvine, CA nearly 90 miles north. It was time to visit family and celebrate
a birthday. We have a family member that has had several strokes. Brannan seemed to already
know to be very careful around him. Even though Brandan is normally full of exuberance and
quite the clown when I remove his harness, here he was calm, respectful and just a great dog.
Brannan slowly approached the family member, sat and gave him a single lick on his hand. My
family member had a huge smile on his face.
Our next stop was in Fresno, CA. Yes, Fresno. That re-defined hot and reminded me of why I
moved away from there. Fortunately we brought Brannan's shoes with us to protect his paws
from the hot pavement. We did our visiting with no real plan to do much else. Brannan, while not
thrilled to wear his shoes, did very well with his paws protected. Nothing stops us from doing
what we want to do.
It was soon time to return to the Oregon Coast. On our return flight, Alaska Airlines once again
stepped up to the plate.
I will continue flying with Alaska Airlines for business and pleasure. They have treated Brannan
and me better than any other airline and know what they are doing with our guides. The next
time I visit San Diego, I will be sure to visit Sea World again; it was a very pleasant, refreshing
experience. Next we head to Denver, CO on business.
ALUMNI BULLETIN BOARD
New GDB Video! Take a minute and check GDB’s newest video “Harnessing the Power of
Partnership”. The video stars GDB Alum Belo Cepriani and his guide Oslo here’s the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8-zkA8Tz6g
Sandy England with Jet wants to remind everyone to continue with routine eye exams even if
you don’t have much remaining vision. At a recent visit, Sandy learned she had cataracts that
were pushing on her cornea. She also learned that she may be a candidate for a retinal implant
which may help her regain a bit of vision.
Tony Sohl and Tina Birenbaum were married on April 26, 2014 in Tempe Arizona. The wedding
was small with friends and family in attendance. Tina’s retired guide Arthur had the proud honor
of serving as ring bearer! Congratulations to the happy couple!
Holly McKnight with Tyra wants everyone to be aware that she has a new email address:
hollyandtyra@gmail.com
Barbara Corner with Maybelle would love to hear from her fellow classmates from class 787 or
any other friends from previous classes. You can reach her at: bcorner@columbus.rr.com
Jenny North with Alicia would love to start a walking group in Sacramento CA. If you are
interested in joining her contact Theresa Stern at tstern@guidedogs.com for Jenny’s contact
info.
IN MEMORIAM, IN MEMORY, IN TRIBUTE
Editor’s Note: In an effort to protect our graduates’ privacy, if you wish to have your guide listed
in the In Memory or In Tribute section of this newsletter you must request that they be included.
In Memoriam – Alumni Who Have Passed Away
Mr. Charles Grover of San Pedro, CA with female Yellow Lab guide, Tandy (OR188 – Oct 2010)
Ms. Sally Hollins of Seattle, WA with female Lab/Golden Cross guide, Tisha (OR41R – Jun
1999)
Mr. Michael Racho of Dallas, OR with female Black Lab guide, Millicent (OR174 – Mar 2010)
Mr. Gale Richardson of Tucson, AZ with male Black Lab/Golden Cross guide Geyser (CA 638R
– Oct 2003)
Ms. Viola Sanders of Mesa, AZ with female Yellow Lab guide, Annabelle (CA601 – Feb 2000)
Mr. Michael Zuker of Schaumburg, IL with male Yellow Lab guide, Cyrus (OR142D – Oct 2007)
In Memory – Guides Who Have Passed Away
Sanborn, male Yellow Lab/Golden Cross guide for Bradley Badger of Bountiful, UT (CA653R –
Apr 2005)
Beta, female Black Lab guide for Mary (Sue) Phillips of Beaverton, OR (OR122 – Apr 2006)
Figby , male Black Lab guide for Jose (Alex) Diaz-Nunci of Alexandria, VA (OR122 – Apr
2006)
Image, female Black Lab guide for Ashley DeLanney of Austin, TX (OR123 – May 2006)
Satchmo, male Yellow Lab/Golden Cross guide for Clinton Lewis of Magna, UT (CA630R – Dec
2002)
Vanessa, female Yellow Lab/Golden Cross guide for John Prescott of San Francisco, CA
(CA625R – Jun 2002)
Glorianne, female Black Lab guide for Sasha Rangel of Austin, TX (OR112 – Jun 2005)
Medina, female Black Lab guide for Vasant Garcia of Phoenix, AZ (CA628D - Oct 2002)
McKenna, male Yellow Lab guide for Ron Pelletier of Montreal, QC (CA248R - Sep 2004)
Baltic, female Yellow Lab guide for Lena Contreras of Davis, CA (OR69 Oct 2001)
Kovax, male Yellow Lab / Golden Cross guide for Laurie Mehta of Cincinnati, OH (OR65R – Jun
2001)
Nautica, female Yellow Lab guide for Monet Grabowski of Templeton, CA (OR 63 – May 2001)
Langer, male Yellow Lab guide for Gary Norman of Baltimore, MD (CA617 – Sep 2001)
Angelina, female Yellow Lab guide for Jake Koch of Vancouver, WA (OR211 – Sept 2011)
Bianca, female Black Lab guide for Sherry Gomes of Longmont, CO (OR84D – Jan 2003)
Lyla, female Yellow Lab guide for Linda Becker of Irvine, CA (OR78 – July 2002)
In Tribute – Guides Who Have Retired
Roy, male Yellow Lab guide for Craig Spurrell of Toronto, ON (CA785 – Apr 2014)
Roanne, female Yellow Lab guide for Veronica Rodriguez of Denver, CO (CA639 – Nov 2003)
Galvin, male Black Lab guide for Ross Caria of Edmonton, AB (OR159R – May 2009)
GIFT SHOP NEWS
New Arrivals
Listed below are new items that have arrived in the gift shop recently:
Coming soon to our online store:
Women’s “Forward” tee with braille crewneck in black
Women’s “Forward” V-neck tee in purple and black
Men’s “Forward” Pocket tee in gray with blue design
Women’s Hooded Pullover Tee
Men’s Hooded Pullover Sweatshirt
Nylon Polyfil vests
Windbreakers
Braille Key rings
Braille luggage tags
Photo Tumblers
Postcards
Notecards
Photo Pens
Orange Reusable Tote Bag
All orders are subject to applicable tax and shipping fees.
You can order Gift Shop merchandise online at store.guidedogs.com, call 1-800-295-4050
x4151 or 415-499-4151 and our volunteers will take your order by telephone.
Please check our website periodically for new merchandise updates.
Don’t forget when you order online, type in discount code “ALUMNI” for a one-time
discount of 15% off your online order. Not available for phone orders. Coupon expires
January 31, 2015.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Free Money Identifiers
Starting on September 2nd, 2014 for pilot program participants, and January 1st, 2015 for those
who did not join the pilot program, US citizens with visual impairments can get a free iBill
Talking Banknote Identifier. For more information go to:
http://www.bep.gov/uscurrencyreaderpgm.html
DIALOGUE Magazine Free Sample
DIALOGUE is published four times a year in braille, large print, four-track cassette, digital
cartridge, digital download, and email formats. The DIALOGUE annual subscription/donation
rate is $20 for email, $25 for digital download subscriptions, and $35 for initial subscriptions in
all other formats. Digital cartridge renewals are $25. A sample issue is available free of charge.
For more info contact Blindskills, Inc. Phone: 800-860-4224 or 503-581-4224 Email:
info@blindskills.com
The Statler Center
The National Statler Center offers skills training and job placement support for blind and visually
impaired individuals seeking customer service roles in the huge and growing Hospitality and
Contact Center industries. We are looking for guide dog users to attend our program, which is
offered three times per year at our facility in Buffalo, NY.
The Statler Center’s two programs are offered from January-March, May-July and SeptemberNovember, with two separate tracks offered each time. For more information or to apply, please
contact Patrick Keyes at 716-888-4526, or by email at pkeyes@statlercenter.org. You can visit
us online at www.statlercenter.org.
Redbox Settlement
You may be eligible for monetary relief under the settlement if you are legally blind and you
attempted but were unable to access the goods and services available at Redbox kiosks in
California on or after January 12, 2010 due to the kiosks’ visual user interface, or if you were
aware that Redbox kiosks in California utilize a visual user interface, and, as a result, were
deterred from accessing the goods and services of a Redbox kiosk in California on a particular
occasion on or after January 12, 2010. There is a damages fund of $1.2 million available for all
claimants. No claimant can receive more than $4,000, and each eligible claimant’s portion will
be shared on a pro-rata basis if the number of eligible claimants exceeds three hundred (300).
Therefore, you may receive less than $4,000.
You must submit a valid claim form to recover monetary compensation under this settlement.
You may complete and submit a claim form on the settlement website at
www.lighthouseredboxsettlement.com or by requesting a claim form from KCC LLC, the claims
administrator, by phone, letter, fax, or email at:
Lighthouse v. Redbox Claims Administrator P.O. Box 43034 Providence, RI 02940-3034 Phone:
866-277-4261 Fax: 866-508-1036 RedboxSettlement@kccllc.com
All claims submitted online must be submitted by November 12, 2014. All claims submitted by
mail must be postmarked no later than November 12, 2014.
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2014 – 2015 Alumni Association Board Meetings:
Aug 22, 2014, Dec 6, 2014, Mar 7, 2015, Jun 6, 2015
Officers
Becky Andrews with Georgina
Bountiful, UT
Board Chair
801-259-3883 (Mobile)
bandrews@guidedogs.com
Melanie Brunson with Sparta
Vienna, VA
Board Vice-Chair
703-307-6478 (Mobile)
mbrunson@guidedogs.com
Michelle Miller with Tango
Alexandria, VA
Board Secretary
703-664-0369
mmiller@guidedogs.com
MEMBERS AT LARGE
Samantha Adams with Lotto
Gold River, CA
916-903-7065
sadams@guidedogs.com
Leanne Bremner with Ayanna
Toronto, ON
416-921-8984
lbremner@guidedogs.com
Maile George with Jasmin
Concord, CA
925-381-7899
mgeorge@guidedogs.com
Bruce Gilmore with Marley
Vancouver, BC
604-828 5513
bgilmour@guidedogs.com
Dudley Hanks with Michener
Edmonton, AB
780-461-9358
dhanks@guidedogs.com
Scott Wilcock with Senator
Harrisville, UT
801-737-9536
swilcock@guidedogs.com
EX Officio Members
George Kerscher with Mikey
Missoula, MT
GDB Board of Directors Representative
406-549-4687
gkerscher@guidedogs.com
Deborah Kendrick with Flo
Cincinnati, OH
GDB Board of Directors Representative
513-673-4474
dkendrick@guidedogs.com
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION CHAPTERS
As of July 29, 2014 **can this date be updated?
British Columbia
Linda Weber
lmweber@shaw.ca
Colorado Rocky Rovers
Andre Van Hall
avanhall@comcast.net
Northern Colorado
Sherry Gomes
sherriola@gmail.com
Forming
DC Metro
Mary Wilson
marymobile@me.com
Forming
Foggy Doggies San Francisco
Lauri Shay and Maile George
laurishay@gmail.com
haolegal@astound.net
GDB Cruisers
Paul Walker
herospaw@ameritech.net
Special Interest: Cruising
GDBCruisers@gmail.com
GDB Handlers of the Northeast
Cynthia Detro
cynthia.detro@gmail.com
www.gdbhne.net
GDB Paws of Fame Los Angeles County
Melissa Hudson
Melissa.v.hudson@gmail.com
GDB Surfer Dogs San Diego
Juliet Cody
julietcody@cox.net
GDB Tech Dogs
Deborah Kendrick
dkkendrick@earthlink.net
Special Interest: Technology
www.tech-dogs.net
Great White North GDB Alumni Chapter Canada
David Greene
mrgreened@gmail.com
Great-White-North@yahoogroups.com
Greater Toronto Area GDB Alumni Chapter
Joan Robinson
jerobin@sympatico.ca
Forming
Greatest Paws on Earth Utah
Scott Wilcock
stitchbert@gmail.com
Guide Dog Handlers All Ways
Paula Barton
pbarton1611@comcast.net
Special Interest: Multiple Disabilities
Guide Dog Handlers of the Midwest Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan
Deanna Lewis
Deannakay03@gmail.com
Guide Dog Teams of Orange County
Richard King
socalrick2003@yahoo.com
www.ocguidedogs.com
iSee Paws Guide Dogs Montreal Chapter
Kim Holdbrook
kimholdbrook3@gmail.com
gdbmontreal@googlegroups.com
Las Vegas
Jean Peyton
lander718@aol.com
Forming
Mommies with Guides
Tracy Boyd
tmcgee3917@aol.com
Special Interest: Parents
Montana and Wyoming Guide Dog Handlers
Bruce Breslauer
bjb5757@bresnan.net
Forming
North State Guide Dog Handlers Chico
Judy Alexander
pearlsmom01@hotmail.com
Oklahoma City GDB Alumni Chapter
Cathy Tuton
Cathy.tuton@cox.net
Reigning Canines Portland
Bobi Earp
bobiearp@clearwire.net
PawsRock-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
River City Guide Dog Users Sacramento
Samantha Adams
samwell@comcast.net
San Diego Alumni Chapter of Guide Dog Handlers
Eileen Dueber
eileendueber@gmail.com
Sunshine Guide Dog Teams Florida
Alicia Eidson
Prof.alicia.eidson@gmail.com
gdbfl@googlegroups.com
Washington State GDB Alumni
Danette Dixon
danettedixon63@gmail.com
Windy City Chapter Chicago
Roxanne Calibraro
rcalibraro@earthlink.net
Guide Dog News
2014, Issue #3
COVER PHOTO
Puppy raisers Jim and Pam Howard with guide dog puppy Moe
INSIDE



Fun Day Festivities: Check out a photo recap of our annual Fun Day events, held on both of our
campuses to recognize and thank our puppy raising volunteers.
Staff Member Profile: Meet Chuck Farrugia, one of GDB’s six field service managers, and learn
about his unique job of working with our alumni in their home areas.
Master Chef Visit: Read about the visit to our California campus by Christine Ha, the chef who is
blind and won Season 3 of the FOX-TV reality show, “Master Chef.”
GREETINGS FROM THE CEO
Dear Friends,
It is hard to believe that I have been with GDB for nearly six months. It has been an amazing period of
discovery and I have enjoyed it immensely. It has been interesting as well as enlightening to spend time
with students on campus, at GDB events, and at conferences for such organizations as American Council
of the Blind and National Federation of the Blind. While I have received some constructive advice for GDB
along the way, the lion’s share of what I have heard has been very positive; in fact, a recent alumni
survey showed that 98% of our graduates are satisfied with our services and 97% would recommend
GDB to others. I am proud to see such loyalty, and I’m committed to ensuring we continue to earn that
loyalty over time.
I also had the distinct pleasure of attending Fun Day celebrations at each of our campuses to honor and
thank our puppy raisers. It was wonderful to meet many of our raisers and witness their dedication to
helping adorable puppies grow and develop into exceptional partners for our grads. We are so grateful to
our puppy raisers, campus volunteers, and donors who give so much of themselves to help us fulfill our
life-changing mission. I look forward to what we can all achieve together in the coming months and years.
Best,
Christine Benninger, President and CEO
BOARD PROFILE
GDB Board Member Jay Harris grew up in the small town of Paradise, Calif., where he became friends
with classmate Pat Glines during their first year of high school. Little did he know that Guide Dogs for the
Blind would keep the two friends connected for a lifetime. Jay eventually lost his eyesight due to diabetic
retinopathy, and Pat, by Jay’s side through the experience, is now a master guide dog mobility instructor
on our Oregon campus.
“I wanted a guide dog almost immediately when I realized that my vision would never improve,” Jay said.
He got his first dog, a yellow Lab named Julio, in 1994, and it was Pat who drove him to GDB for his
training. “My experience working with Julio was incredible,” Jay said. “It felt amazing to move so quickly.
His energy was just something beautiful to have in a first guide dog.” As for Pat, after visiting GDB and
attending Jay’s graduation, he knew he had found his calling. “This was it, the trifecta of life,” Pat
remembers thinking. “Working with animals, teaching people, and empowering people with a disability.”
Jay’s path has likewise taken him to a career in rehabilitation services. Jay is the chief of Independent
Living and Assistive Technology at the State Department of Rehabilitation, a division that oversees all
independent living centers, assistive technology contracts, and traumatic brain injury programs in
California. He has been on the GDB Board of Directors since 2008, and has had five guide dogs since
Julio. In fact, Pat trained his second dog, a black Lab named Jargon. “That was special,” said Jay, “it all
sort of came full circle.” His current guide is black Lab Gerard.
“I am happy and grateful that I have a guide dog that allows me to be as independent as possible,” Jay
said. “These dogs have a real purpose. They not only assist with mobility, but increase independence and
allow people to live life more freely with a constant companion by their side.”
Of course, Jay and Pat remain close. “We have really continued to grow in the same direction and
manner,” said Pat. “A lot of this is due to GDB—it’s an amazing place that helped forge an incredible
connection between two friends.”
GDB welcomes Todd Bradley of San Francisco and Melissa Hudson of Los Angeles, with her guide dog
Camry, to our Board of Directors.
MAUI BOW WOW-IE!
In July, GDB hosted our 56th annual Fun Day celebrations on both of our campuses. 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 in a day full of education, activities, and camaraderie. 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. For
2014, we were pleased to award $3,000 in scholarship funds. Congratulations to the following puppy
raisers on their accomplishments!
$1,000 Scholarships:
Sophia Hamilton of Ukiah, Calif.
Emily Mason of Oakdale, Calif.
$500 Scholarship:
Maddie Hall of Castro Valley, Calif.
$250 Scholarships:
Caitlin Berge of Normandy Park, Wash.
Skyler Howard of Vashon, Wash.
For complete bios and winning essays/creative projects, please visit our blog, No Bones About It, at
guidedogs.blogspot.com
GRAD PROFILE
Cody Meyer has a passion for bringing together people, dogs, and communities. With his yellow Lab
guide dog, Champagne, by his side, Cody, a 19 year-old student from Sonora, Calif., sees a world of
possibilities for his future.
“My guide dog has changed my life in so many ways, from getting me around my school campus faster
and more efficiently, to weaving me through the crowds in San Francisco,” Cody said. “It is truly a magical
experience!” He recently took a trip to Florida—the longest trip to date he has taken with his guide dog
since they graduated from GDB in July of 2011. “Reflecting on that trip, it has given me the confidence to
travel anywhere around the globe with Champagne by my side.”
When Cody came to Guide Dogs for the Blind to train with Champagne, he was impressed with the level
of personalized training and the care with which his instructors took when matching him with a dog. Cody
has mild cerebral palsy (CP), so requires a dog that was adept at working with his unique needs, and
Champagne fits the bill perfectly. “The instructors thought Champagne would be a great guide for me
because she has a slower pace, is extremely calm, and isn’t easily distracted,” Cody said. “I was given
the opportunity to take breaks and walk for shorter distance routes with my dog if needed because of my
CP. I am very satisfied with the customized training that I received from GDB!”
Cody is active in the guide dog community. He volunteers with the Bay Area Guide Dog Puppy Raisers
club, providing the puppy raisers the perspective of a person who is visually impaired and giving him the
opportunity to share his skills and insight as a guide dog handler. In addition, Cody has volunteered as a
student mentor for Camp GDB (see story Page 11). “I love sharing the guide dog lifestyle with young
teens,” Cody said.
Cody aspires to earn a masters degree in animal science. “I would like to work at GDB or in the field of
animal rehabilitation, helping dogs and people work in harmony with one another,” he said. In his spare
time, Cody enjoys hiking, kayaking, gardening, and reading.
ALUMNI UPDATES

GDB would like to give a very special acknowledgement to Betty Mantooth of Palo Alto, Calif.,
who at 89-years-young, has decided to retire her last guide, German Shepherd Zephyr. Betty has
the distinction of having the longest relationship with GDB of all of our alumni; she graduated with
her first guide dog, Polly, in 1943 as a member of Class #2 (she is pictured at right in 1957 with
her guide John and John’s puppy raiser). She has had a total of ten guide dogs from our school
over the years: seven German Shepherds, two Labrador Retrievers, and one German
Shepherd/Collie crossbreed.

Phillip White of Spokane, Wash., with his yellow Lab guide dog Jeff, recently completed the 84mile path along Hadrian’s Wall, an historic defensive military fortification in England. Phillip, a
United States Army combat medic in the Vietnam War, received a Purple Heart Medal after he
was blinded by enemy gunfire in 1969. “Since getting his guide dog, Phil’s mobility has increased
exponentially,” said his wife, Norma. “Jeff has given us the ability to pursue a walking
adventure—he has made this journey a possibility.”

Artist and author Takashi Tanemori of Berkeley, Calif. (who will be getting a new guide dog in
October), recently held a solo exhibit of his multi-media art in San Francisco titled, “U.S. and
Japan: A Bridge Between Nations.” The exhibit commemorates the 69th anniversary of the
atomic bombing of Hiroshima during World War II, of which Takashi is a survivor.

Artist Adelaida Ortega with her guide dog Orleans (a Lab/Golden cross lovingly nicknamed Betty),
came to the California campus Fun Day in July and shared with us the story behind a beautiful
hand-woven basket she made in honor of puppy raisers. Visit our Facebook page
(facebook.com/guidedogsfortheblindfans) to see a video of Adelaida describing the symbolism in
the basket’s design.
STAFF PROFILE
Chuck Farrugia has a lot of fans at GDB. As one of six field service managers, he interacts daily with the
people directly affected by our mission. There is no shortage of adulation when it comes to Chuck; his
name is often mentioned in glowing terms by our alumni. “Chuck is an amazing field manager,” said Sheri
Cohen of Toronto who has yellow Lab guide Atlanta. “He is kind, caring, and funny, He has always been
there for me, whether it be to answer a question or give guidance.”
Prior to coming to GDB, he worked as an orientation and mobility specialist, a low-vision specialist, and a
visually impaired services team coordinator for the Veterans Affairs Administration. After joining GDB
23 years ago, he obtained his guide dog mobility instructor’s license. He said that the two main words
that come to mind when describing the nature of his work are “access” and “advocate.”
“In my current role, I am responsible for about 350 graduates in a broad geographic region, including the
upper Middle and Eastern states, as well as provinces in Canada,” Chuck said (he is based in
Kalamazoo, Mich.). He also represents GDB at conferences, conventions, and agency visits with allied
professionals. “The field managers review potential applicants, do everything we can to qualify them for
next steps, and respond to graduate inquiries in a timely fashion. If I can help eliminate one stress factor
in order to improve someone’s quality of life, I consider that a win. The greatest satisfaction for me is
seeing our clients achieve their goals for independent travel.”
Given his territory, there is the additional challenge of inclement weather and making sure clients’ guide
dogs have the necessary equipment, such as jackets and booties. “Weather can really change things,
especially in the winter,” said Chuck. “Whether it is accessing a curb, maintaining a straight line of travel
amid snow banks, or having to wait for a bus in cold temperatures. My job is to make sure our clients are
prepared and have the support they need to mitigate these circumstances in the best way possible.”
“Chuck’s demeanor and candor with our clients is amazing,” said GDB Admissions Coordinator Amy
Vander-Vennet. “His dedication to our graduates and potential students permeates everything he does.
He embodies GDB’s mission in every way.”
NORAH HAMILTON STRAUS DONORS’ CIRCLE PROFILE
Some people are lucky to find a single passion in their lives. For Rudi Milpacher of Portland, Ore., he’s
been fortunate to have many, and for those many passions to converge in a meaningful way in his
support of Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Rudi’s first love is fine art; he’s an art consultant, dealer, and appraiser. When he was introduced to
Guide Dogs for the Blind in 2001 while attending the Oregon Fall Luncheon with his daughter, Debbie
Walker (who is a puppy raiser; she and her family have raised seven dogs for GDB), Rudi became
hooked on our mission and knew that his connections in the art world could somehow benefit GDB. What
transpired has been a partnership in which he and his longtime friend, graphic designer Greg Holly, have
developed the visual identity for GDB’s annual Pinot & Pups fundraising event. They create original
concepts for the event collateral, and then translate that design into a fine art piece to be sold at the
auction. Hence, fundraising for GDB has become another of Rudi’s passions.
Rudi is a member of the Pinot & Pups volunteer organizing committee, and he and his wife, Jean, love to
introduce our mission to their friends by hosting tables at events and bringing people to graduation
ceremonies on our Oregon campus. In addition, he and his family have held rummage sales and hosted
special community events to raise money for GDB.
Rudi’s father lost his vision to macular degeneration later in life, so he appreciates what a guide dog can
mean for someone’s mobility. “I love everything about GDB—especially all of the people connected to the
organization,” Rudi said. “The idea of what a dog can do for a person is phenomenal, and it’s so gratifying
for me to see the pleasure and independence that a guide dog gives to a person who is blind.”
Rudi believes in “being a giver, not a taker. I’d much rather be on the giving side of things in whatever I
do,” he said. And for that, Guide Dogs for the Blind is grateful to be on the receiving end of his generosity.
Thank you Rudi!
Pictured: Rudi Milpacher with “grand-dogs” Whitney, Deuce, Alex, and Kellogg
We are so thankful for Natural Balance’s ongoing and generous support. Thank you to Natural
Balance team members Sandra Vuong and Kay Oliver for joining us on Fun Day in San Rafael
(they are pictured with GDB alum/intern Jake Koch and his guide dog Angelina).
NEW LICENSEE
Congratulations to GDB’s newest licensed guide dog mobility instructor, Ananda Twitty. Ananda got
involved with GDB as a puppy raiser, and decided to pursue a career as an instructor after adopting the
puppy she had raised when he retired from guidework. She, her family, and two pet dogs live in Novato,
Calif. “My favorite part of this job is that no day is ever the same,” she said. “I get to work all around the
Bay Area, travel to other states on follow-up visits, and meet some wonderful teams.”
HAPPENINGS
High on the Hog
In June, more than 350 people attended EPIC Roasthouse’s “High on the Hog” benefit, a wine and swine
event in San Francisco featuring pinot noir tastings and gourmet eats on the restaurant’s waterfront patio.
There were plenty of guide dog puppy raisers and their pups on hand to mingle as guests noshed on pork
dishes and sipped wine from an array of restaurants and wineries. Special thanks to GDB Board Chair
Bob Burke; EPIC Roasthouse’s Executive Chef Parke Ulrich; Owner Pat Kuleto and wife Jennifer;
Managing Partner Pete Sittnick, and Emcee/KRON-TV News Anchor Vicki Liviakis. The event raised
more than $10,000 to support GDB.
Pictured: GDB puppy raisers, staff, and dogs with Epic Roasthouse owner Pat Kuleto (in red).
GDB Gets a Visit from Master Chef Christine Ha
Christine Ha, winner of FOX-TV’s reality cooking show, "Master Chef—Season 3," and best-selling
cookbook author who is blind, came to our California campus for a behind-the-scenes visit in August. She
got to tour our facility (with a special stop in our student residence kitchen), take a walk with a guide dog,
and play with some young 7 week-old puppies.
In addition to her visit to campus, Christine hosted a dinner party for GDB supporters and friends that she
had donated to our Canine Heroes Auction in 2013. The soiree was held at Board Member Joan Boyd’s
winery estate in Napa; Christine’s multi-course menu was prepared and cooked by GDB’s California
campus Chef and Student Residence Supervisor David Wilson. Many of the recipes were for dishes
Christine made during the “Master Chef” finale that helped her win the title. Thank you, Christine, for your
generosity!
Pictured:
 Master Chef Christine Ha holding two yellow Lab puppies.
 Christine and GDB’s Chef David Wilson.
 Christine walking with a guide dog and instructor heather foster.
Camp GDB
Camp GDB, our annual summer tradition that brings youth who are blind or visually impaired to
experience the guide dog lifestyle, was a huge success and a lot of fun too. This year, nine campers ages
14-17 spent four jam-packed days on our California campus, participating in activities ranging from
walking with a guide dog and caring for a dog overnight in their room, to visiting the veterinary clinic and
spending time playing with puppies. Camp GDB culminated in a BBQ party with puppy raisers and their
pups from the Stanislaus County Puppy Raising Club. A dog-gone good time was had by all!
Pictured: A camper taking a walk with a guide dog and Instructor Arlene Jordan.
SAVE THE DATE
OREGON FALL LUNCHEON
Friday, November 7, 2014
Portland, OR
FESTIVE HOLIDAY LUNCHEON
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
San Francisco, CA
Visit guidedogs.com/events for more info.
IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TO PLAN YOUR FUTURE
With a charitable gift annuity, you always receive guaranteed payments for life in exchange for your
contribution of cash or securities. But if you’re planning for your future now, and able to defer the date
your payments begin, benefits include:
 Higher payments
 Receiving payments when you choose (e.g., retirement)
 An up-front tax deduction
To learn more about a deferred annuity, please return the coupon below, call our planned giving team at
800.295.4050, or visit guidedogs.com/plannedgiving.
Pictured: GDB Legacy Society Member Carolyn Hindes with labs Herschel and Gresham
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Send a donation today
 Please use our mailing address for donations: Guide Dogs for the Blind, P.O. Box 3950, San
Rafael, CA 94912-3950. You can also donate online: guidedogs.com.
 Eliminate checks and postage
Direct your bank to automatically transfer your donation.
 Make an Honor or Memorial gift
Pay tribute to a friend, relative or pet; we will send cards of celebration or sympathy in your name.
 Create a Legacy in your estate
Name GDB in your will, trust or as a beneficiary of your annuity, life insurance policy, IRA or
retirement plan. We honor such commitments with membership in our Legacy Society.
 Designate your gift
Designate your donation to go toward a specific GDB program. For info, contact us to receive a
copy of our “Case for Support.”
Guide Dogs for the Blind will occasionally share donor information with like-minded nonprofit
organizations in an effort to better fulfill our mission and serve our clients. If you do not wish to have your
information shared, please call us at the phone number below, or email us at donations@guidedogs.com.
For more info, please contact our Development Department at (800) 295-4050.