Harness & Leash
Edition 10 – June 2012
Letter from the Editor
Our current classes of guide dog and AMP clients were able to
enjoy some nice, warm weather today during training. Needless to
say, the instructors and dogs loved it also!
I’m looking for some help with a project we’re undertaking.
The communications department is trying to collect stories about
how getting a Leader Dog has changed our client’s lives. We have
lots of stories of what happens during training in Michigan, now
we need stories about the great things you accomplish after you
have returned home.
So please send me your stories about how your dog has
helped you in some unexpected ways. Have you experienced
increased confidence? Do you feel this has helped you get a job,
go back to school or take on a leadership role at work or as a
volunteer? Have you done something after receiving your dog that
you would never have done before? We want to know. Please
email your stories to rkniffen@leaderdog.org or mail them to
Leader Dog addressed “Attention Rachelle.” I look forward to
reading about all your great experiences.
Take care,
Rachelle Kniffen, Director of Communications & Marketing
Moving in the Right Direction
A message from Rod Haneline, Chief Programs and Services
Officer
Everyone is anticipating the months ahead and the pleasant
weather it bring for clients and teams as well. Just a short note to
let you know that in this issue Keith McGregor talks about a
change in structure to improve our process and insure quality
instruction for our clients and canines. We have been working on a
new three year strategic plan that will insure alignment of our
clients, canines and resources to insure high quality instruction
and services. In fact, one of the key initiatives is a quality client
experience. This is not just about training but about the whole
process from start (contacting Leader Dog) to finish (after you’ve
returned home). You will hear more about this and other key
strategies in the near future. We will be looking for your feedback
and input soon. Have a great summer.
Changes in Client Services
We would like to welcome Allison Beckett to the Client Services
Coordinator team. She is replacing Carol Macey who recently
moved to a part-time receptionist position within Leader Dog.
Allison has worked in the kennel where she became a hit with
puppy raisers, volunteers and visitors because of her friendly,
caring and helpful nature.
Your client services coordinator should always be your 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 services
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 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.
Allison Beckett 248-650-7103 – Last names A-J
Stephanie Steele 248-659-5006 – Last names K-N
Barb Upmeyer 248-650-7112 – Last names O-Z and Spanish
Speaking
Kapten Plus Questions 888-777-5332 ext. 2059
Restructuring our Class Schedule
A message from Keith McGregor, Director of Canine
Training and Deaf-Blind Services
We are continually looking for ways to improve the quality of the
training that we provide to you—our clients. Recently, we took a
hard look at our schedule of running 12 guide dog classes per year
to see if there was a more effective and efficient way to provide
additional clients with services each year. And we figured out how
to do it!
Beginning in November, we are restructuring our training
teams from five teams to four teams. This change puts more
Guide Dog Mobility Instructors (GDMI) on each team which
increases the number of clients we can service in each class. Also,
the three new Apprentice Instructors that are starting at the end
of June will have more GDMIs to mentor them, which will improve
the training they receive.
We’re looking forward to implementing this improved
structure in the fall and being able to offer more clients a higher
quality training program in the next fiscal year.
Hero Dog Awards Update
Four Leader Dog graduates entered their dogs in the 2012
American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards—Patty Zallor with
Leader Dog Kannon, Tonia Clayton with Leader Dog Rebound, Ann
Drake with retired Leader Dog Tabitha and Karrie Schloemer with
Leader Dog Burke. As of this printing, Tabitha is in first place in
the guide dog category. Voting officially ends on June 30 and if
Tabitha stays in first place, she and Ann will win $5,000 for Leader
Dog. They will also be flown to Los Angeles, California in the fall
for an awards ceremony which is broadcast on the Hallmark Movie
Channel. During the ceremony one grand prize winner will be
chosen from the eight service dog categories and $10,000 will be
donated to their charity of choice.
Winners will be announced on or around July 3, so visit our
website or Facebook page to find out the results.
Start planning your entry for next year’s Hero Dog Awards
now.
Recycle Your Unused GPS
If you have already read the recent issue of Update, you are
aware that Kapsys has stopped making the Kapten PLUS GPS
device that we’ve been giving to our U.S. and Canadian guide dog
clients. We currently have enough units in stock to continue this
program through June 2013.
Though most people using the Kapten PLUS, or the older
Humanware Breeze units, love them and won’t leave home
without them; we are aware that some people do not use their
GPS often, or maybe not at all.
So we are asking for your help. If you do not currently use
your Leader Dog issued GPS, please mail it back to us so we can
issue it to another client.
Check with your local post office to see if they will mail your
GPS back for free as “Free Matter for the Blind.” If not, you can
send it back via the least expensive way possible. If you need help
paying for shipping, please contact your client services
coordinator.
Pet Hall of Fame Inductee
Congratulations are in order for Leader Dog Bailey, a Labrador
retriever partnered with LDB Graduate Tom Cunningham, for his
recent induction into the Wisconsin Pet Hall of Fame. Bailey was
inducted in the “professional” category. His veterinarian says his
true colors emerge when you take Bailey’s harness off and he
becomes a true Labrador. Bailey can be hard to keep on the exam
table if there is another dog around or a squirrel outside the
window, but when he’s back in harness—he is back to business.
“What Baily is displaying are the traits of conscientiousness and
remarkable self-control,” said his veterinarian, Dr. Janssen.
Way to go Bailey!
Cycling for Leader Dogs
Make sure you take a moment to check out Lion Mark Mansell as
he rides from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine to raise
awareness of Leader Dog and to raise at least $35,000 to support
our programs. You can find information about Mark’s quest,
Cycling for Leader Dogs, or make a donation to support him on
our website leaderdog.org. His trip began on June 16 and will end
on or around August 5 (51 days)!
NFB Newsline
You can get free access to newspapers, magazines and television
listings on the phone or on the internet through the NFB Newsline.
For more information, call 1-866-504-7300 or go online to
nfbnewsline.org.
Circle of Life
Births
Linka (hosted by Dr. Jennifer Hynes) x Kelrobin Shosone Phantom
(services provided by Laura Michaels) – 6 Labrador retrievers
Abby (hosted by Daniela Solomon) x Gabe (hosted by Michelle
Hall) – 10 Labrador/golden mix
Party (hosted by Margaret Hartbarger) x Jonah (hosted by Shari
Sprouse) – 3 Labrador retrievers
Delta (hosted by Robbin Uchida) x Gus (hosted by Katie Stamm) –
8 Labrador retrievers
Mensa (hosted by Carol Beavnier) x Big Sky’s Stone Kutter
(services provided by Steven Kirschner) – 7 Labrador
retrievers
Nilla (hosted by Elaine Berkheiser) x Benson (hosted by Keith
McGregor) – 4 Labrador retrievers
Vienna (hosted by Patty Hoekstra) x Takota (services provided by
Nancy vonKoehnen) – 9 golden retrievers
Tesa (hosted by Ann Davis) x Buddy (hosted by Brad Mackler) – 6
golden retrievers
Bear (hosted by Dr. Shannan McNair) x Benson (hosted by Keith
McGregor) – 5 Labrador retrievers
Penny (hosted by Laura Bandy) x Hunter (hosted by Elizabeth
Mattei) – 9 Labrador retrievers
Camy (hosted by John Maher) x Rovair (hosted by Laura
Schreiner) – 3 Labrador retrievers
Charmed (hosted by the Salois Family) x Rodeo (hosted by Mary
Ann Grutza – 7 Labrador retrievers
Spice (hosted by Jodie Best) x Huron (hosted by Robert Young) –
7 Labrador retrievers
Daisy (hosted by Gail Haba) x Buddy (hosted by Brad Mackler) – 8
golden retrievers
Nanny (hosted by Lynda Elsas) x Brock (formerly hosted by
Cristina Riha) – 12 Labrador retrievers
Lucy (hosted by Barbara Boswell) x Cruiser (hosted by Julie
Gardner) – 6 Labrador retrievers
Cammy (hosted by Jamie Gunnink) x Noble – 6 Labrador
retrievers
Sandi (hosted by Lesa Mignot) x Kody (formerly hosted by Janice
Johns) – 4 Labrador retrievers
Daisy (hosted by Tracy Baughey) x Crosslots Prussion Blue
(services donated by Marci Sale) – 5 Labrador retrievers
Duda (hosted by Carol Kirkbride) x V Alta-Tollhaus Gavin (services
donated by Julie Richards-Mostosky) – 10 German shepherds
Rizzo (hosted by Lisa Grasso) x Murray (hosted by Pat Boyd) – 9
Labrador retrievers
Molly (hosted by Crystal Meyers) x Saddlehill’s Late Knight
Scramble (services donated by Susan Eberhardt) – 10
Labrador retrievers
Edie (hosted by Jill Woods) x Blitz (hosted by Colleen Said) – 5
Labrador retrievers
Tia (Hosted by Dr. Mary Westhoff) x Cruiser (hosted by Julie
Gardner) – 2 Labrador retrievers
Josie (hosted by the Spencer Family) x Blitz (hosted by Colleen
Said) – 7 Labrador retrievers
Izzy (hosted by Marlene Strang) x Rodeo (hosted by Mary Ann
Grutza) – 2 Labrador retrievers
Parade (hosted by Debbie Santucci) x Buddy (formerly hosted by
Julie Gardner) – 8 Labrador retrievers
Gracie (hosted by Sybilla Eagen) x Murray (hosted by Pat Boyd) –
7 Labrador retrievers
Raven (hosted by Kirsten Harmon) x Rodeo (hosted by Mary Ann
Grutza) – 3 Labrador retrievers
Sienna (hosted by the Hovansian Family) x Jonah (hosted by Shari
Sprouse) – 5 Labrador retrievers
Sophie (hosted by Lynn Kimble) x Blitz (hosted by Colleen Said) –
5 Labrador retrievers
Lucy (hosted by Pam O’Brien) x Takota (services donated by
Nancy vonKoehnen) – 3 golden retrievers
Jubilee (hosted by Lynne Davis) x Devin (hosted by Laura Guerin)
– 5 German shepherds
Chime (hosted by Janet Miller) x Blitz (hosted by Colleen Said) – 1
Labrador retriever
Willow (hosted by Eydie Yemmans) x Cruiser (hosted by Julie
Gardner) – 7 Labrador retrievers
Sofie (hosted by the Prochko Family) x Gabe (hosted by Michelle
Hall) – 7 Labrador retrievers
Gem (hosted by Dora Masters) x Gus (hosted by Katie Stamm) –
5 Labrador retrievers
Yama (hosted by Daphne Jonson) x Paradocs Obsidian (services
donated by Dr. Karen Helmers) – 8 Labrador retrievers
Raini (hosted by Penny Bateman) x Buddy (hosted by Brad
Mackler) – 8 Labrador/golden mix
Lucy (hosted by Dotty Hall) x Tabatha’s Sunfest Hudson (services
donated by Carol Heidl) – 2 Labrador retrievers
Lola (hosted by Thayer Goodman) x Benson (hosted by Keith
McGregor) – 3 Labrador retrievers
Glory (hosted by Bruce & Betsy Hundley) x Ollie (hosted by Jackie
Raffler) – 6 Labrador retrievers
Breeding Stock Retired
Casey – Jessie Kramer
Cozy – Diane Hale
Dreamer – Kelly Crake
Leyna – Cheryl Caldwell
Lucy – Pam O’Brien
Swayser – Mary Simpson
Willow – Lora Glei-Dietz
Nilla – Elaine Berkheiser
Tigger – Robert Gage
Breeding Stock Deceased
Angel – Ann and Frank Davis
Capri – Stefanie Muoio
Myles – Kathy Mazur
Reba – Mary Michalik
Rizzo – Lisa Grasso
Sailor – Michael Bond
Takota – Services donated by Nancy von Koehnen
Copper – Rhonda Wilson
Leader Dogs Retired
Angel – Mary Orester
Areal – Patricia Baumgartner
Belle – Jenny Riddle
Carter – Daniel Weiner
Chip – Ronald Silney
Dandy – Judith St. Clair
Finnegan – Ewart Solomon
Frankie – Alisa Alonge
Gillis – Victoria Andrada
Gizmo – Brittany Sterling
Gulliver – Bradford Schuler
Ivy Green – Diane Garrett
Jarvis – Rick Ellinger
Jasmine – Cynthia Bass
Jaze – Nancy Knowles
Jazz – Juliet Hoffard
K.C. – Harry Alore
Kayla – Carole Linz
Kipper – Eila Virtanen
Koal – Michael Lisak
Kolbe – Maurice Mines
Lincoln – Jerry Bobbitt
Lyndi – Jennifer Dubbin
Radar – Travis Parks
Rebel – Valentin Nesi
Rex – Paula Berryhill
Rhianna – Lisette Cuthbert
Sabre – Rebecca Evou
Scooter – Pedro Lopez Fernandez
Scout – Daniel Sweeney
Trax – Gerald Cox
Trev – Debra Whitt
Trouble – Alan Paganelli
Truman – Terry Bray
Victor – Rebecca Lewis
Wally – Randy Berg
Zira – Josefina Robles Martinez
Leader Dogs Deceased
Adrian – Maria Eustolia Cortes
Ashley – Eunice Miller
Baloo – Deborah Turner
Bear – Sabina Alecha Monreal
Beaufort – Robert Mills
Brady – Grzegorz Drab
Bravo – Dennis Godfrey
Buddi – Jose Tlateo Sierra
Buddy – Raul Hernandez
Captain – Vicenc Barreda
Chance – Francisco Bravo
Charlie – John Doering
Chestnut – April Combs
Cody – Mercedes Verges
Colby – Michael Cunningham
Essah – Josefina Montiel
Fergie – Marybeth Nault
Gibson – Felipe Vera
Ginger – Elsa Mendoza
Hannah – Jane King
Heike – Cindy Feigel
Heyes – Jeffrey Chiappetta
Holly – Manuel Izquirdo
Holly Bear – Amy Bryan
Jack – Carlos Mendez
Jake – Ted Starnes
Jenna – Michelle Zentz
Jersey – Elizabeth Clark
Jessie – Manuel Gutierrez Roz
Jessie – Sandra Thomas
Katie – Sandra Jones
King – Jean Ludwick
Lacy – Jesus Santos Gomez
Lily – Stephanie Dohmen
Mandy – Yolanda Barroso
Max – Zhesar Huerta
Michael – Harold Riley
Misty – JoAnn Sheehan
Moby – Dennis Culvahouse
Moses – Bernardo Sarmiento
Nike – Elizabeth DeGarcia
Ollie – Jose Albiac
Owen – Gilbert Arnold
Paige – Pawel Wdowik
Paige – Saulo Torres
Sally – Katrina Anderson
Shade – Aracely Serna
Stetson – Jean Menzies
Taylor – Carol Dougherty
Twice – Sergio Villaruel
Zoe – Miguel Villaroel
Zoe – Gabriel Saz
Classes (note: GDMI is Guide Dog Mobility Instructor)
Class 12-07
Apprentice Instructor Dave Meyer, GDMI Kevin Ihrke: Alison
Quarnstrom and Ace, yellow Labrador retriever (puppy raiser:
Kimberly Boboltz); LeRoy Buzzell and Josie, black Labrador
retriever (puppy raisers: Karen & John Grill); Lloyd Schmitz and
Sophie, yellow Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Kristi Sazama);
Ronald Howard and Autumn, golden retriever (puppy raisers:
Roxanne & Wayne Minor)
GDMI Laura Burke: James Cabrey and Hank, yellow Labrador
retriever (puppy raisers: Cheri & Kurt Johnson); Francetta Guion
and Lola, golden retriever (puppy raiser: Nicole Neubecker);
Sharon McCall and Fisher, black Labrador retriever (puppy raiser:
Kristy Roeser); Abby Bolling and Jada, black Labrador retriever
(puppy raisers: Kathy & Norm Wright); Megan O’Neill and
Sunshine, black Labrador retriever (puppy raisers: Danelle & Jay
Munro)
GDMI Denise Atler: Danny Dennison and Casey, black Labrador
retriever (puppy raiser: Brent Spitzer); Ryan Howe and Marshall,
yellow Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Kellie Smith); Scott
Morris and Dottie, yellow Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Jane
Christenson); Terri Skerget and Maxwell, black Labrador retriever
(puppy raiser Janet Hainlin)
Home Delivery: Ozella Tate and Josie, black Labrador retriever
(puppy raiser: Kali Wissner)
Class 12-08
GDMI Carrie Pryce: Paulina Jiminez Ochoa and Penny, black
Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Lori Lumley); Pedro Lopez
Fernandez and Reno, black Labrador retriever (puppy raiser:
Sangor B Powers Correctional Facility); Diana Rodriguez
Arredondo and Gia, black Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Jodi
Agbay); Filiberto Jasso Lopez and Vinnie, black Labrador retriever
(puppy raiser: Duane Brandt); Interpreter D. Garduno Landazuri
GDMI Debbie Komondy: Thomas Williams and Duke, yellow
Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Sangor B Powers Correctional
Facility); Sheila Rousey and Grandt, golden retriever (puppy
raisers: Lori & Dave Johnson)
Apprentice Instructor Shelby Zimmerman: Jeffrey Blair and
Badger, black Labrador retriever (puppy raisers: Charles Posey &
Joel DuVall); Antonio Bryant and Utah, yellow Labrador retriever
(puppy raiser: Pat Boyd); Marjorie White and Gary, black Labrador
retriever (puppy raisers: Jennifer & Joseph Tancraitor)
GDMI Randy Horn, GDMI Jamie Togal: Anne Drake and Driver,
black Labrador retriever (puppy raisers: Amy & Michael Goggins);
Rondal Love and Zeus, black Labrador retriever (puppy raiser
Karen Summer); Gracie Jackson and Cricket, black Labrador
retriever (puppy raisers: Bonnie & Elwood Thomas); Daniela Rubio
Trujillo and Kara, black Labrador retriever (puppy raisers: June &
George Ross); Judith St. Clair and Major, golden retriever (puppy
raisers: Gina & George Schmidt); Charity Roach and Chara, yellow
Labrador retriever (puppy raisers: Jennifer Zimmer & Steve
Langegger)
Class 12-09
GDMI Catherine Palid: Eric Troup and Zeke, yellow Labrador
retriever (puppy raiser: Robert Williams); Susan Miller and Bishop,
yellow Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Robert Odem)
GDMI Dave Heins: Jesus Celda Beltran and Logan, black Labrador
retriever (puppy raiser: Julie Haase); Miren Zurine de Anzola
Guerra and Ivy, golden retriever (puppy raiser Noel Houghton);
Maria Soriano Sorando and Sage, yellow Labrador retriever
(puppy raiser: Lisa Gray); Jose Medrano Ruiz De Loizaga and
Higgins, yellow Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Gergory Fargo);
Interpreter Silvia Martinez Montoro
GDMI Linda Fisher: Roberto Jimenez and Kole, Labrador/shepherd
cross (puppy raiser: Thomas Brown); Amber Johnson and Ava,
black Labrador retriever (puppy raisers: Shelly Poorman & Cheri
Baker); Richard Rines and Charlie, golden retriever (puppy raiser:
Anthony Mason); Donna Lambert and Baxter, golden retriever
(puppy raiser: Dorothy Ochs); Theresa Stark and Elsa, yellow
Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Charles De Las Casas)
GDMI Mike Walrath: Norman Jones and Shadow, black Labrador
retriever (puppy raiser: Ryan Walton); Randall Aman and Baylee,
German shepherd (puppy raiser: Lori Shaw); Nancy Lepkowski
and Bobbi, yellow Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Jay Seehase)
Class 12-10
GDMI Katie Stamm, GDMI Jennifer Sanderson and Apprentice
Instructor Taryn Mountain: Gerald Cox and Archie, black Labrador
retriever (puppy raiser: Jonathan Schwarz); Gary Helsing and
Hoosier, black Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Laurie Fujimoto);
Ronald Schmidt, black Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Kaitlyn
Paulk); Danny Bradley and Spirit, German shepherd (puppy
raiser: Lynne Davis); Victor Harris and Ollie, black Labrador
retriever (puppy raiser: Leonard Smith); Richard Paulson and
Stewie, yellow Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Travis Davis);
Kevin Sandgren and Cooper, yellow Labrador retriever (puppy
raisers: Janice & Mike Hoffman); Stephanie Smith and Clancy,
golden retriever (puppy raisers: Melissa & Dale Howard); LeAnn
Jeanne and Daisy, golden retriever (puppy raiser: Jacqueline
Turner); Elke Wagner and Jo, black Labrador retriever (puppy
raisers: Elaine Borning & Deb Hall)
Home Deliveries: Harold Green and Albert, golden retriever
(puppy raisers: Carol & Mike Mordarski); Ilene Sawyer and
Douglas, German shepherd (puppy raiser: Deb Donnelly);
Maximiano Matty and Bongo, yellow Labrador retriever (puppy
raiser: Kelly Kehoe); Jennifer Dubbin and Liberty,
Labrador/golden mix (puppy raiser: Barbara Caswell); Cynthia
Stanford and Sadie, yellow Labrador retriever (puppy raiser:
Diane Scheid)
Class 12-11
GDMI Sue Hackman: Robert Haney and Murphy,
Labrador/shepherd mix (puppy raiser: Adam Koleski); Frances
Schneider and Zipper, black Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Eric
Audet); Debra Witt and Willow, yellow Labrador retriever (puppy
raiser: Greg Stuewe); M. Mueller and Ischgl, black Labrador
retriever (puppy raiser: Ginger & Glenn Rossow)
Interpreter Moises Vieira Jr.: Maria Delmasso Rodrigues and Opie,
yellow Labrador retriever (puppy raisers: Megan & David
Lemieur); Jose Rodrigues and Leo, golden retriever (puppy raiser:
Heike Krause); Maria De Paiva Souza and Milo, black Labrador
retriever (puppy raiser: Karen West)
GDMI Phil Griffin: Steven Johnson and Bennett, black Labrador
retriever (puppy raiser: Therese Wheaton); Rebecca Lewis and
Grace, yellow Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Susan Jones);
Carlton Utz and Mackie, Labrador/golden mix (puppy raisers:
Karen & Ron Sharp)
GDMI Randy Horn: Raymond Miles and Poncho, golden retriever
(puppy raiser: Lawrence Bireta); Dennis Schwab and Sunny,
yellow Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Amy Federle); Cynthia
Bass and Ninja, black Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: James
Meyer); John Geter and Gideon, black Labrador retriever (puppy
raiser: Mary Morgan)
Home Deliveries: Sarah Calhoun and Lakota, yellow Labrador
retriever (puppy raiser: Randy Hockey)
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.