Harness & Leash
Edition 9 – February 2012
Letter from the Editor
A slightly belated Happy New Year to everyone (and every dog).
We are starting this year with a BANG with an expected 25 puppy
deliveries by the end of February. That is a lot of happy, waggingtailed Future Leader Dogs!
We had a bit of a slow down over the holidays since we don’t
hold a guide dog class during this time, and you’ll notice that
there are only two classes listed at the end of this newsletter. But
the residence facility wasn’t quiet since maintenance took the
opportunity to deep clean—carpets, floors, walls, just about every
nook and cranny. I must say I admire how well they attend to our
entire campus.
We also had a special accelerated mobility (AMP) class in the
very beginning of January that brought together Leader Dog’s
O&M’s, AMP clients and graduate O&M students from Western
Michigan University. This unique program allows the O&M students
to get hands-on experience with clients under the close
supervision of our O&M’s.
Feel free to send me your comments, suggestions, stories or
poems for inclusion in the next issue of Harness & Leash. As
always, I will print them as space allows. I can be reached at
rkniffen@leaderdog.org or 888-777-5332 ext. 1158.
Take care,
Rachelle Kniffen, Marketing Specialist
Moving in the Right Direction
A message from Rod Haneline, Chief Programs and Services
Officer
Over the past couple of years we’ve been very open about the
issue we were having with lower than normal dog numbers. I’m
not going to re-cap everything here, but if you’re interested you
can read some of the old issues of Harness & Leash online at
leaderdog.org/news/alumni. Today’s update on our dog numbers
is a good one. Over the past four quarters, and for the upcoming
quarter, our class-ready dog numbers have risen. This means that
our client numbers have risen. In fact, the February class, which
includes six clients training in Palm Beach, is back to maximum
capacity.
Another piece of good news is that three of our apprentice
instructors are now full-fledged guide dog mobility instructors
(GDMI). This brings our GDMI number up to 19—which we’re
extremely happy about. We’re also pleased to announce that
we’ve hired a new Manager of Residential Services. You’ll read
more about her, and our new apprentices, later in this newsletter.
We will soon start working on our strategic plan for 2013—
2015. As a part of this process, we are conducting client focus
groups to make sure that we include the “voice of our customers”
in our planning process.
We’re definitely starting 2012 moving in the right direction.
Meet Some of our New Team Members
Over the past year we have hired a few new team members that
we’d like you to know more about. We’ll start with Dave Meyer,
our most recently hired apprentice instructor. Prior to coming to
Leader Dog, Dave was a school teacher for seven years in
Charlotte, NC and one year abroad in Ecuador. He received his
bachelor’s and teaching degrees from Appalachian State University.
His dog experience includes working as a dog musher for a dog
sledding company in Montana, as a dog handler in a kennel and as
a volunteer for both the Humane Society and the Coalition to
Unchain Dogs in Charlotte. In his spare time, Dave enjoys hiking
with his dogs, mountain biking, whitewater kayaking and traveling.
Dave’s passion for helping people, working with dogs and being
outdoors is what brought him to Leader Dog. He is currently a
Level One apprentice.
Natalie Rutoski is currently a Level One apprentice instructor.
Natalie earned her Bachelor of Science degree in secondary
education from Central Michigan University and soon began
substitute teaching at schools in her home town while also
exploring other career interests. Her desire for a rewarding career
helping other people along with the opportunity to work with her
favorite animal led her to Leader Dog. Though she currently does
not have a dog at home, she looks forward to the day she can
open up her home to a new four-legged friend. In her free-time
she enjoys reading, watching movies, playing board games and
relaxing with friends and family.
Our last new apprentice is Shelby Zimmerman who is
currently a Level One. Shelby moved to Michigan from California
where she studied sociology at the University of California—
Berkeley and received her Master’s Degree in Orientation and
Mobility from San Francisco State University. She has a golden
retriever, who is a great hiking companion, and a cat (but we
won’t hold that against her). Besides hiking, Shelby enjoys playing
board games, shopping and spending time with friends.
Our new Manager of Residential Services is Sulixa ValienteRubin. Sulixa has over 15 years of human resource experience
serving clients from diverse backgrounds and countries. She
speaks fluent Spanish, which will allow her to work effectively with
our Spanish-speaking clients. Sulixa is very dedicated to providing
all LDB clients with the best quality service available. She has a
busy home with four children and four dogs. She likes to say that
their house is full of love and extra fur!
Hero Dog Awards
Enter your dog in the American Humane Association Hero Dog
Awards. Dogs can be entered in eight categories: Law
Enforcement, Service (not guide), Therapy, Military, Guides,
Search & Rescue, Hearing, and Emerging Hero Dogs (for personal
pets). Stories must be 250 words or less and be accompanied by a
photo. Submissions must be in no later than March 26, 2012. The
voting period is from April 1 to June 30, 2012. The winning dog in
each category gets $5,000 donated to their charity of choice (of
course, Leader Dog is one of the charities). The winners will be
flown to Los Angeles, California in the fall for the awards
ceremony, which is broadcast on the Hallmark Movie Channel.
During the ceremony a grand prize winner will be announced and
$10,000 will be donated to their charity of choice. Go to
www.herodogawards.org to enter. Good luck!
$3 Discount Coupon from Purina
Go to purina.com, click on “feeding your pet,” then click on
“coupons and offers.” You’ll have to fill out a questionnaire to get
the $3-off coupon. If you do not have internet access, you can
receive a coupon by calling 1-800-7Purina.
5th Annual National Service Dog Eye Exam Event
The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) will
again be offering free eye exams for service dogs throughout the
U.S. and Canada. The exams are held during the month of May
and registration begins on April 1, 2012. You can go to the ACVO
website at acvoeyeexam.org and click on “Remind me when the
2012 event registration opens” and send an email asking to be put
on their list.
Sven (an excerpt)
By Puppy Raiser Michele Anderson
On November two eight, two thousand and ten,
While someone was watching ESPN,
Six puppies were born, but not for show,
A little more than one year ago.
Those pups lived with mom for a six week span,
They were a very cute, Labrador clan.
Then to new homes those puppies were sent,
To four different states those puppies went.
When into our life, one puppy came,
We were happy to give him a name.
After a king, we named him Sven,
And Svennie he’s called every now and then.
He’s our fifteenth lab, our eighth black one,
Labrador puppies are so much fun.
Our job? To raise him. Our job? To train.
So that a blind person, won’t need a white cane.
We taught Sven commands like ‘down’ and ‘wait’.
For one piece of food he will run to his crate.
Sven goes most places that we go,
To church, to school, even a show.
Though Sven lived with us for almost a year,
Sven’s Leader Dog trainer takes over from here.
In Leader Dog’s kennel he’ll live for a while,
Then to a blind person he’ll bring a big smile.
A Leader Dog for the Blind our Svennie will be,
For a special blind person our Svennie will see.
Sven, ‘Godspeed,’ your future looks bright,
And through someone’s darkness, bring joy and bring light.
TSA Cares
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has introduced a
helpline number called TSA Cares to assist travelers with
disabilities and medical conditions. Travelers can call toll free at 1855-787-2227 prior to traveling with questions about screening
policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint.
The TSA Cares helpline is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-9
p.m. EST, excluding federal holidays. Travelers who are Deaf can
use a relay service to contact TSA Cares or can e-mail TSAContactCenter@dhs.gov.
Circle of Life
Births
Capri (hosted by Patricia Young) x Blitz (hosted by Colleen Said) –
7 Labrador retrievers
Chime (hosted by Janet & Sterlie Miller) x Gus (hosted by
Katherine Stamm) – 4 Labrador retrievers
Claire Reesa (hosted by Sibyl Simpson) x Shiloh (hosted by the
Chenoweth Family) – 10 golden retrievers
Madeline (hosted by the Smith Family) x Jonah (hosted by Shari &
George Sprouse) – 5 Labrador retrievers
Dreamer (hosted by Kelly Crake) x Cruiser (hosted by Julie & Tim
Gardner) – 1 Lab/golden cross
Tag (hosted by The Zauel Family) x Ollie (hosted by Jackie Raffler
– 9 Labrador retrievers
Angel (hosted by The McLean Family) x Sully (deceased, past host
Judy Campbell) – 8 German shepherds
Serene (hosted by Francine Kaminski-Pynnonen) x Cruiser
(hosted by Julie & Tim Gardner) – 9 Labrador retrievers
Knickers (hosted by Anne Kowalec) x Paradocs Obsidian (services
donated by Dr. Karen Helmers) – 4 Labrador retrievers
Koni (hosted by Nancelee & Roger Halle) x Cruiser (hosted by Julie
& Tim Gardner) – 9 Lab/golden cross
Breeding Stock Retired
Brenna – Karen Sjogren
Rave – Beverly Blanchard
Rocky – Jean Jacquin
Stella – Gail Alcorn
Breeding Stock Deceased
Maggie – The Zuckerberg Family
Robyn – Julie Kerton
Sadie – The Pagan Family
Leader Dogs Retired
Ace – Jose Amaya
Allie – Fiorella Cespedes Marchena
Birch – Tracy Root
Carmen – Karen Burke
Edison – Thomas Sullivan
Guia – Jose Medrano Ruiz de Loizaga
Hope – Irma Pena
Iris – Rodney Shaw
Judge – Olman Ugalde Gonzalez
Katelynne – James Cabrey
Kobe – Joan Pons Munni
Maddy – Nancy Buhre
Montana – Terry Remaly
Payton – Ryan Riffle
Quetzel – Donald Peterson
Riley – Mercedes Sanchez Luque
Riley – James Crall
Skyler – Johnnie Maddux
Wynston – Margaret Sutton
Leader Dogs Deceased
Abbey – Adrienne Haugen
Balto – Grace Scullin
Bravo – Jacinto Toran Ortigosa
Emma – Allan Rupel
Hanna – Xinia Jiminez
Libby – Elke Wagner
Luc – Norman Jones
Molly – Marilyn Ellerhorst
Tico – Sarah Calhoun
Classes (note that GDMI stands for Guide Dog Mobility
Instructor)
Class 12-05
Director of Canine Training and Deaf-Blind Keith McGregor & DeafBlind Apprentice Instructor Jennifer Sanderson: Jose Amaya and
Arlo, yellow Labrador retriever (puppy raisers: Danielle Webb and
Danielle Unternahrer); Virginia Olliff and Kelly, black Labrador
retriever (puppy raiser: Leon Tice)
GDMI Paul Meister: Jo Sheehan and Kira, black Labrador retriever
(puppy raisers: Al and Jo Whitman); Patrick Kwanashie and
Phoenix, yellow Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: David
Carpenter); Matthew Bennett and Bonnie, black Labrador retriever
(puppy raiser: James Merical); Joseph Wood and Trigger, black
Labrador retriever (puppy raisers: Mike and Brenda Lasecki);
Gregory Osborne and Tove, German shepherd (puppy raiser: Deb
Hall)
Deaf-Blind Apprentice Instructor Taryn Mountain: Leslie Mintz and
KeAnna, yellow Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Sibyl Simpson);
Jerry VanSickle and Carbon, black Labrador retriever (puppy
raiser: Marisa Blank)
GDMI Katie Stamm: Esteban Segura Penaranda and Kali, black
Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Sharon Blattert); Roberto
Sancho Alvarez and Bella, yellow Labrador retriever (puppy raiser:
Janice Eaton); Alexander Sanchez Granados and Lucille, yellow
Lab/golden cross (puppy raiser: Jessica Hembre); William Osorio
and Kienzle, German shepherd (puppy raiser: June Parmeter)
Team Supervisor/GDMI Jessica Bimmerman: Dan Hillyer and
Canyon, golden retriever (puppy raiser: Linda & Tony Gimble);
Coreen Faulkner and Kaiah, German shepherd (puppy raiser:
Penny Joyner)
Class 12-06
GDMI Jill Vani: Claudia Bonillas Romero and Harley, black
Labrador retriever (puppy raisers: Austin Mulder and John Mohr);
Carl Daily and Tyson, Lab/golden cross (puppy raiser: Annette
Christiansen); Zacarias Hernandez Palafox and Hunter, black
Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Jonathan Kelly); Lola Velazquez
and Jaden, yellow Labrador retriever (puppy raisers: Tom and
Alisa Duthler)
Apprentice Instructor Natalie Rutoski & Supervisor/GDMI Phil
Griffin: Earl Dickey and Abel, yellow Labrador retriever (puppy
raisers: Keith and Judy Thess); Meredith Miller and Brinkley,
golden retriever (puppy raisers: Gary and Sandy Frick); Daniel
Saynuk and Mack, golden retriever (puppy raiser: Cindy
Hesselbein); Nancy Wood and Danka, black Labrador retriever
(puppy raiser: Cindy Hoffman)
GDMI Randy Horn: Vernon Abfalter and Finn, golden retriever
(puppy raiser: Douglas Lyon); Simone Chiodini and Pauling,
golden retriever (puppy raiser: Cheryl Hach); Christopher McCain
and Artie, golden retriever (puppy raiser: Annie MacAskill); Tracy
Rector and Tank, black Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Roberta
Windus); Laurie Scott and Gavin, yellow Labrador retriever (puppy
raisers: Joe Hoin and Hayley Orlowski)
Home Deliveries: Ozella Tate and Josie, black Labrador retriever
(puppy raiser: Kalie Wissner); Tina Gruchow and Jetta, yellow
Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Melvin Manning)
Questions, Comments or Suggestions
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions for this
publication, please send them to UpdateEditor@leaderdog.org or
call 888-777-5332 ext. 1158.
Client Services Contacts
Your client services coordinator should always be you first point of
contact for anything pertaining to Leader Dog. If you need to
check on an application status, are having an issue with your dog
or need other information, please call your client service
coordinator and she will make sure you get the information you
need or will put you in touch with the correct LDB team member.
One exception, questions regarding the Kapten PLUS should be
directly to Ron Molles at extension 2059. You can reach your
coordinator by calling 888-777-5332 and requesting them by
name or contact them via the following phone numbers.
Carol Macey 248-650-7103 – Last names A-G
Stephanie Steele 248-659-5006 – Last names H-R
Barb Upmeyer 248-650-7112 – Last names S-Z and Spanish
Speaking
Ron Molles 888-777-5332 ext. 2059 – Client GPS Support