Leader Dogs for the Blind
Update - Issue 1, 2015
Looking Back on 2014
Happy New Year!
As we begin this new year, I would like to pause and reflect
on 2014, our 75th anniversary, and all that we’ve accomplished
together.
Last year was amazing and we have much to celebrate! Many
clients were served through our programs and we held our first
Deaf-Blind warm weather guide dog training. Our 75th
anniversary included a very successful community open house
with about 1,500 people in attendance and a business breakfast
which honored three local business leaders; the late Roy Rewold,
Russ Shelton and Bill Fox.
Leader Dog was frequently recognized for our programs as well
as our leadership within the industry. We received recognition from
Crain’s Detroit Business (page 9) and received the Mayor of
Rochester Hills’ Business Council Champion award for outstanding
accomplishments. We also received a Michigan AER award (page
11) and the GuideStar Gold Star and Charity Navigator 4-Star
ratings (page 9).
The Mutual of America Community Partnership Award that we
received in 2013 (see Issue 1-2014) helped us expand Prison
Puppies into more Michigan prisons during 2014. We now have
three facilities in Michigan participating and are in conversation
with several others.
From a brick and mortar perspective, we finalized plans for
our Canine Development Center in 2014 and we broke ground! We
launched our capital campaign and have made significant progress
toward our funding goal (the Canine Development Center will be
highlighted in the next issue of Update).
I am excited to continue working with our Board and team as
we move Leader Dog forward in our commitment to be a powerful
and positive force in the lives of people who are blind or visually
impaired. Thank you to all of you—donors, puppy raisers, Lions
clubs, volunteers, corporations, breeding hosts and foundations—
for supporting our mission. You are the continued key to our
success for 2015 and for the many years ahead!
I hope you feel a sense of pride for all we have achieved
together as you read this issue of Update. Have a safe and happy
2015!
Sincerely,
Susan M. Daniels
President and CEO
Photo: Our 75th anniversary logo is shown. It has a white 75
inside a circle with our four main colors (red, blue, teal and
yellow). Underneath the 75 it says years 1939-2014 with the
tagline “Setting our sights on the future.”
There’s No Slowing Down Melody Goodspeed By Guest
Writer Peggy O’Dell
Melody Goodspeed had a teaching career she loved, a wonderful
new boyfriend, and many hopes and dreams for her future when
she lost her sight at 26. She used a cane for two years before
receiving her first Leader Dog, a petite yellow Labrador retriever
named Scarlet, in 2005. “Getting Scarlet was one of the great
milestones of my life,” she says. “She changed something in me
and made me think for the first time since I lost my sight that
maybe I could still realize my dreams.”
With Scarlet by her side, Melody traveled the country for her
job as an account manager. Together they visited schools and
Lions clubs throughout Virginia to talk about Leader Dog. In 2006,
Scarlet was in Melody’s wedding, carrying calla lilies in her harness
to match Melody’s bouquet. And four years later, Scarlet joined in
welcoming home the newest member of the family, Melody’s son
Jonah. “Scarlet played a big part in helping me achieve my dreams
of having a career and family,” says Melody.
Scarlet started slowing down and retired at nine years old,
but she is still a much loved member of the family and a canine
companion to Melody’s second Leader Dog, Daisy. With Daisy,
Melody has continued her public speaking and serves as the Lions
District 24A Leader Dog Chair.
In 2014 she was honored to receive the Lions Club
Humanitarian of the Year Award for the state of Virginia.
Today, Melody is busier than ever. In between caring for her
family, working full-time, public speaking and working on her
master’s degree, she had two essays published in the new book
Contagious Optimism Vol. II by David Mezzapelle. In her “spare”
time, she is taking a class to become a certified Zumba instructor!
“Without Leader Dog I wouldn’t be the person I am today,”
she says. “I just decided I wasn’t going to let being blind stop me
from doing what I wanted to do. I’m not going to lie, it can be
frustrating sometimes, but it won’t stop me.”
Photo: Melody stands in a white wedding dress next to a man
in a black tuxedo while a yellow lab lies on the floor captioned
“Melody on her wedding day with her husband Chris and first Leader
Dog, Scarlet.”
Photo: Melody stands in front of a big set of windows with
buildings in the background and a yellow lab sitting on her left
captioned “Melody and LD Daisy in the walkway that connects her
two work buildings.”
Photo: Class pictures of Melody in 2005 with Leader Dog
Scarlet and in 2013 with Leader Dog Daisy are also pictured.
Letters from our Alumni
Just a note to update you all on how Gracie Mae and I are doing in
our new and everyday exciting life. I can never thank you all
enough for changing my life by matching me with Gracie Mae.
Gracie is more than just a Leader Dog, she’s my partner, my best
friend, my smile every day, my comfort, my love. I can never
imagine a life without her now.
We have done more in the last six months than I did in the
last five years before I got her. We talk to many people that
want to know about Leader Dogs for the Blind and what you’ve
all done for the girl from the farm!
Thanks again to everyone at Leader Dog,
Kim Becker
I woke up Sunday morning thinking I was still at Leader Dog—
mentally getting ready for another day of instruction and O&M
challenges. I really was looking forward to another day. From the
very beginning of the program to the very end of the program,
my experience with Leader Dog was off-the-charts positive.
The clear sign that Leader Dog was on top of things was
after I received the acceptance call, I then received another call
shortly thereafter from a travel agent who booked my flight.
This was well organized and from the start I knew I was going
to the right place for help. After completing a week of O&M
training, one of your volunteers drove me to the airport and sat
with me at the gate for two hours to ensure I boarded the plane
without problems. He didn’t have to do that and I told him so,
but he stayed and we talked. I thanked him and really
appreciated it. I even received a packed lunch from the Leader
Dog folks! Too awesome!
Leader Dog was extremely well organized with
extraordinary people who were all extraordinarily friendly and
helpful. My biggest challenge for the week at Leader Dog was
to expand my ever-so shrinking comfort zone. The simplest
things have become very difficult over the years. I’m so
thankful for the specialist I was assigned. She was exactly what
I needed. She challenged me, trained me, taught me a lot and
listened when I needed to talk. Her great sense of humor
lessened my stress during very stressful situations for me.
O&M was tough but enjoyable. I knew I was in very capable
hands when she helped expand my comfort zone even during
the first day when I accomplished something that I hadn’t done
in years—crossed the street independently!
The week I spent at Leader Dog and the entire
experience has earned a special place in my heart. I left Leader
Dog more humbled and more grateful than ever.
Take Care,
Mike Garrigan
Hi Leader Dog,
There are no words to express the wonderful time I am
having with Lincoln. I didn’t know a guide dog could be so
clever. Lincoln is so quick on the uptake and unbelievably
well behaved. He also comes when I call him! He sits with
me on the porch with no thought to run off anywhere (P.S.
The whole yard, front and back is fenced in). I forgot how
great it feels to walk with my friends without having to hold
onto a cane or anyone’s shoulder. Lincoln is one of the
gang. The dog and I are clearly working together. I am also
very grateful for the intense orientation & mobility training I
had at Leader Dog.
I hope you can get a sense of how proud I am to be
with my guide. Thank you to everyone at Leader Dog who
helped in the process and for making such a great match. It
was worth the wait.
Yours in health,
John Dugdale
First of all, we would like to thank Leader Dog for our
beautiful dogs. They are awesome!
Getting a Leader Dog is like climbing a mountain. That
climb is not always easy. There are a lot of things you have
to know and remember. The experience is one that you will
never forget. When you finally reach the top of the
mountain and you and your dog are a successful team, it
feels great and there’s nothing like it. You feel secure and
independent with your dog by your side. And then comes
the day when you will maybe have to put your dog down.
And when you do, you go down too. If a person enjoys using
a Leader Dog like we do, they will climb that mountain over
and over again. Sometimes you wonder why, but the love
you have for dogs and the continuous unconditional love
that the dog shows you drives you to do it again.
Linda and Tom Davis
Learning to Teach Orientation & Mobility By Jennifer
Wilkinson
When you walk out of your house with a destination in mind, how
do you know where to go? If you are sighted, you will think of
landmarks and signs; you will likely rely almost completely on
visual cues. This is a significant part in how you orient yourself in
any environment, new or old.
If you are visually impaired, the equation changes. What if the
closest store is in the middle of a construction zone? What if the
quickest way to get to your friend’s house requires you to walk
across the busiest street in town? You must rely on a very different
set of orientation and mobility (O&M) skills that require you to pay
attention to patterns, sounds and physical cues, such as those you
might get through a white cane.
In the 1990s, Rod Haneline, who was both an experienced
Leader Dog instructor and O&M specialist, recognized a problem:
we had people applying for guide dogs who did not have the
fundamental travel skills they would need. He set to work
developing a program that could help people quickly improve the
O&M skills they would need to successfully navigate their
surroundings using a white cane. Not long after, Leader Dog’s
Accelerated O&M Training program was born.
Two landmarks for Accelerated O&M Training occurred in
2002. We hired our first full-time O&M specialist, and a professor
teaching the blindness and low vision program at Western
Michigan University (WMU) got involved in the program.
Dr. Richard Long, a WMU professor and administrator, was
interested in a way to support his students as they got their first
experience of being a professional O&M specialist.
WMU was the only school in Michigan that offered the courses
necessary to become a certified O&M specialist, and both Dr. Long
and Leader Dog saw the potential benefits of getting WMU’s
students involved. “Western Michigan University hosts the oldest,
largest and one of the most highly regarded personnel preparation
program in blindness and low vision in the world,” says Dr. Long.
“Leader Dog has a long history in the field of blindness and is
highly respected in guide dog circles. The significance of the
connection is that two valued organizations in the blindness and
low vision world both benefit from our collaboration focused on
student success and excellence in O&M services.”
The week-long collaborative program looks much the same
today as it did over a decade ago. The WMU students arrive before
our clients, go over how the week will proceed and work with an
O&M specialist to review client specifics and possible challenges.
When the clients arrive, the students orient them to their
rooms. The next morning the WMU students start off by teaching
indoor O&M techniques. The schedule for each day is full, and once
the clients are done for the day, the students keep going, talking
about what they learned with Leader Dog personnel and getting
advice to learn more tips and techniques.
WMU student Sarah Wilkins had just received her bachelor’s
degree in interdisciplinary health and was planning to go through
the occupational therapy program at WMU when she heard Dr.
Long speak about the blindness and low vision program. She was
immediately intrigued. After spending time at the Battle Creek VA
Medical Center shadowing O&M specialists in the blind
rehabilitation program, Sarah knew what career she wanted. “I
found my burning passion,” she says.
Along with three other WMU students, Sarah arrived at
Leader Dog in January to begin her practicum. It was Sarah’s first
time working with a client, and she loved the experience of
working one-on-one with someone and watching their progress,
while at the same time learning about herself. “It’s helping me
understand what my teaching style is, areas that I need to work
on,” she says. “It’s helping me understand that each client has a
different learning style that I need to adapt to so every client is as
successful as they can be.”
Another lesson Sarah took away from this experience was the
importance of communication. Taking the time to think about
what the client needed to know and how to best explain that
information so that the client would easily remember when out on
a route was key, Sarah explains. She also enjoyed getting to know
the clients with whom she worked. “I just love interacting with the
people and hearing everybody’s story. Finding out where they’ve
traveled before and how they traveled before this.”
Leader Dog Client Rita Butler Harris is no stranger to travel
and living near Atlanta affords lots of opportunities for going out,
but after she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, she found
her natural enthusiasm for life waning. “I was a person who
always had confidence, but I was devastated; I was scared. I
withdrew for a while.” Her go-getter attitude was not gone for
long, however. “I always had a motto that I would not let anyone
or anything steal my joy. So I had to sit down one day and say to
myself, why would I let [my blindness] steal my joy?”
Whether it was her husband or another family member, Rita
always had someone to help guide her while she was out and
about, but recently she decided she wanted a more independent
means of getting around. In January, she arrived on Leader Dog’s
campus to brush up on her O&M skills with the future goal of
getting a Leader Dog. It was her first time seeing snow. “I’m
having a ball with this weather!” she laughs. “I call my family and
tell them it’s NINE degrees.”
Another part of the program Rita enjoyed was seeing the
WMU students work. “I think it’s great seeing someone who wants
to start out fresh and get into this field.” Although the week’s
program had challenging spots for Rita, such as using the cardinal
directions (N, E, S, W) to navigate away from a spot and returning
using a different route, she now feels ready to use her cane to
navigate downtown Atlanta.
Her advice for anyone else considering O&M training at
Leader Dog? “Pack your bags, catch that flight! Definitely I would
recommend it. It will change your life.”
The goal of the partnership between WMU and Leader Dog is
for people like Sarah and Rita to meet, learn from each other and
improve the skills they need in a short amount of time. “The
WMU/Leader Dog connection is truly a ‘win-win’ situation, a rather
rare commodity these days!” Dr. Long says. “Many of our students
receive their first exposure to the art of teaching O&M at Leader
Dog. Leader Dog, with its collegial and highly professional staff, is a
wonderful place for students to begin their teaching careers, and to
begin learning what it is like to work alongside others in a
demanding, satisfying and enjoyable job.”
Photo: O&M Specialist Lynn Gautreaux and WMU student
Kirsten Engstrom walk behind and observe Leader Dog client Rita
Harris traveling by cane down a snow covered street.
Photo: WMU student Sarah Wilkins, Leader Dog Manager of
Extended Services Erica Ihrke and WMU professor Dr. Richard
Long walk behind Leader Dog Client Adam Anthony as he practices
his cane travel down the road on a snowy day in Rochester.
My ‘Around the World’ Puppy
By Puppy Raiser Amy Schupska
Louie, who my husband and I raised in 2006, was our second puppy
and he was the first of our dogs to complete guide dog training. At
the time, the Taiwan Guide Dog Association was becoming
established with the help of Leader Dog. I was so excited when
Louie was chosen to be the guide dog for a client from Taiwan (I
like to say an ambassa-dog), but I was concerned about Louie
traveling around the world to work as a Leader Dog. Because of the
obvious language barrier, we received minimal communication from
the Taiwanese school or the client working with Louie.
Fast forward to April 2014, I noticed a familiar face on the
Taiwan Guide Dog Association Facebook page! After sending a
friend request and a few messages, I received the communication
I had dreamt of for the last seven years—Terry Huang, Louie’s
partner, invited me to come to Taiwan for a visit!
In October, I traveled to visit Terry and Louie. Witnessing the
difference Louie makes in Terry’s life is incredible. Together they
navigate mass transit systems on a daily basis, outdoor markets,
escalators and very large crowds. Louie also accompanies Terry to
his job as a massage therapist.
I have since received a few hundred photos of Terry and
Louie together! Terry and I have chatted online and on the phone.
I found the Taiwanese culture to be very friendly, and I was often
called, “Louie-Mom.” What an honor!
Going to Taiwan has increased my love for Leader Dogs for the
Blind. I am so grateful the instructors chose Terry to be Louie’s
handler. I would gladly raise another puppy knowing that “my
puppy” might travel half way around the world to positively change
another person’s life. The love the two of them feel for each other
is beautiful. They have complete trust and respect in their
partnership. This is truly a dream come true for a puppy raiser.
To answer your question, yes. Louie did remember me.
Lucy’s Story Continues
By Puppy Raisers Melody and Jon
Rutschow
We raised Lucy for Leader Dog—falling in love with her
intelligence, boundless energy and strong desire to please, serve
and love. We were excited when Lucy went on to guide Elaine, a
Leader Dog client.
After nearly seven years of service, Lucy retired as a Leader
Dog only to begin a new career as a therapy dog for the Eaton
County Youth Facility in Charlotte, Michigan.
Some of Lucy’s duties as a county employee (she even wears
a badge) include attending family sessions, court hearings and
Veteran’s Court (helping those dealing with PTSD) where she
provides calm and comfort. She also visits classrooms, libraries
and even goes on mail runs!
Lucy is known and loved by all. Although the entire staff is
responsible for Lucy’s care, she spends much of her time with
Facility Director Karen Gonser, who says, “Lucy is amazing with the
kids. She knows when they’re feeling sad or anxious and takes the
initiative to be right alongside them when needed.”
In August 2014, we had the privilege of visiting Lucy and
touring her new home. The Eaton County Youth Facility has given
Lucy the opportunity to continue to serve and to welcome many
new loving family members.
Leader Dog Receives High Honors
We are proud to announce that Leader Dogs for the Blind received
high accolades from several organizations in the past year.
National Accreditation for Blind and Low Vision Services
Leader Dogs for the Blind has been accredited by the National
Accreditation Council for Blind and Low Vision Services (NAC) for
applying best practices and delivering services that focus on
positive outcomes for our clients. We are the first guide dog
organization to achieve accreditation by NAC, which is the only
international accrediting body devoted to serving organizations
that provide programs for people who are blind and those with low
vision.
Upon evaluation, the NAC found our Accelerated Orientation
and Mobility (O&M) Training and Summer Experience Camp
programs met or exceeded industry standards for the
administration and service provision.
4-Star Rating on Charity Navigator
Charity Navigator, an organization that evaluates charities based
on fiscal management, commitment to accountability and
transparency gave us a 4-star award indicating that Leader Dog
“adheres to good governance and other best practices that
minimize the chance of unethical activities and consistently
executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way… This
‘exceptional’ designation differentiates Leader Dogs for the Blind
from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their
trust.”
Charity Navigator awards a 4-star rating to only about 25% of
the charities it evaluates. To view the complete rating report, go
to charitynavigator.org (and type “Leader Dog” in the search
box).
GuideStar Exchange Gold Participant
In May, we became a Gold Participant on the GuideStar Exchange.
GuideStar’s goal is to present a nonprofit’s information in an easyto-understand format, not to rate them in the manner of Charity
Navigator. They gather and disseminate information about every
U.S. nonprofit registered with the IRS.
To obtain Gold level, organizations must go beyond simply
providing financial information (this will get Silver status) and
complete a Charting Impact report that includes the goals,
strategies, capabilities and progress of the organization.
If you would like to view our GuideStar summary, go to
guidestar.org (and type “Leader Dog” in the search box).
Crain’s Best Managed Nonprofit
Leader Dogs for the Blind was a finalist in the 2014 Crain’s Best
Managed Nonprofit contest. The focus for 2014 was good
management practices. We were highlighted in the December 1
issue of Crain’s Detroit Business. To read the article, go to
crainsdetroit.com/section/best_managed_nonprofits_2014.
2014—The Year in Review
(Numbers reflect Fiscal Year 2013–
2014)
What an exciting year at Leader Dogs for the Blind as we
celebrated our 75th Anniversary! But we didn’t just spend the
year reflecting on our past accomplishments; we made advances
throughout 2014 and worked at setting Leader Dog up for the
next 75 years.
Our Veterinary Department
• 406 dog spay/neuters
• 430 entry/training exams
• 44 specialized dental procedures
• 638 breeding/puppy exams
• 1,212 procedures done under anesthesia
Our Training and Client Services Departments
• Trained 186 guide dog teams (7 Deaf-Blind)
• Issued 157 GPS devices and trained clients how to use them
• Trained 73 accelerated orientation & mobility clients
• Hosted 21 teens for Summer Experience Camp
• Supported 264 clients in their homes with follow-up services
With Help From
• 352 on-campus volunteers who completed 31,360 hours of
service
• 444 puppy raisers dedicated to our Future Leader Dogs
• 98 families hosting our male and female breeding stock dogs
First Deaf-Blind Warm Weather Training
During February, four Deaf-Blind clients completed guide dog
training in Estero, Florida to aid the American Sign Language
(ASL) and Tactile ASL communication process, which can be
hampered by gloves and mittens.
AER Michigan Award
(Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and
Visually Impaired)
We received the AER award which is presented to an organization
that has made a significant contribution to the field of blindness
and/or in the service of persons who are blind or visually impaired
in Michigan.
75th Anniversary Open House
On May 3, we opened our doors to the public to showcase our 75year history and to thank the local community for their many
decades of support. Attendees toured our kennel, learned about
the programs and services we offer our clients, and met LDB
staff, clients and canines.
Though the weather wasn’t the best (rain and wind with a
little bit of hail thrown in just for fun) we estimate that
attendance ranged upwards to 1,500 people.
Completed Feasibility Study and Began Work on Canine
Development Center
On August 4 we broke ground on the renovation that will update
our kennel into a state-of-the-art Canine Development Center.
The first phase includes demolition and rebuilding of our
veterinary office, puppy development office, puppy area, breeding
stock area and lobby. The next issue of Update will highlight the
plans and progress on the new facility.
Photo: A veterinarian holds a yellow lab puppy out in front of
her examining her legs captioned “Dr. Wilson examines a puppy
before placing her with a puppy raiser.”
Developing a Lifestyle of Generosity
Every day at Leader Dogs for the Blind we get to witness people
who are living a lifestyle of generosity—our many volunteers.
Some work on campus, though many are off-campus puppy raisers
or breeding dog hosts. After spending time with these volunteers,
you find out that they have brought joy into their lives by being
generous with their time to Leader Dog.
Not everyone lives near Leader Dog or has time in their day
to volunteer; these people find their lifestyle of generosity through
meaningful donations that allow Leader Dogs for the Blind to
continue our important work. Many reach further to leave a legacy
of generosity by including Leader Dogs for the Blind in their estate
plans.
When generosity becomes a lifestyle, life takes on a new
glow. A sense of appreciation and satisfaction and a feeling of
self-worth and celebration come from knowing you are enriching
other people’s lives. This glow is well voiced by Brad Formsma,
author of I Like Giving, who states, “When we choose to give, we
change, and the people around us change. When we move from
awareness to action, miracles happen. When we allow giving to
be our idea, a world of possibilities opens up before us, and we
discover new levels of joy.”
When developing your lifestyle of generosity, keep these
items in mind:
 Keep your estate plans up to date - Make sure present life
events are current in your Will and consider listing a
percentage or specific dollar amount for Leader Dog.
 Life Insurance - It is easy to gift a life insurance policy that
you no longer need to Leader Dog. Some people choose to
buy a policy and pay the premiums in full, naming Leader
Dogs for the Blind as owner and/or beneficiary.
 Charitable Remainder Trust - These trusts are a great way to
receive income for a lifetime, avoid capital gains taxes,
reduce income and estate taxes, and make a significant gift
to Leader Dog.
 Charitable Gift Annuities - Annuities allow you to receive
income for life and provide a gift to Leader Dog.
Please contact Roberta Trzos, CFRE, director of personal giving at
248/659.5014 or rtrzos@leaderdog.org for help in developing a
lifestyle of generosity that fits your needs.
Flickr Photos
Class and team photos are posted monthly on Flickr at
flickr.com/photos/leaderdog
Legacy Society
Creating a provision for Leader Dogs for the Blind in your estate
plans is a true partnership.
This prestigious society was established to recognize donors
who have included Leader Dogs for the Blind in their financial or
estate plans.
You can join our Legacy Society by naming Leader Dogs for
the Blind:
• In your Will or trust.
• As a remainder beneficiary of an IRA or other retirement
account.
• As a beneficiary of a life insurance policy.
• As a remainder beneficiary of a charitable gift annuity or trust.
• As lead beneficiary of a charitable lead trust.
Whether or not you choose to join the Legacy Society, your
future gift will help to ensure that Leader Dog will be able to
continue to provide increased independence to people who are
blind or Deaf-Blind.
Please contact Roberta Trzos, CFRE, director of personal
giving at 248/659.5014 to learn more about the Legacy Society.
Mission Moment
“I would never have used the word ‘lucky’ or ‘fortunate’ to
describe any aspect of vision loss…until I got Leader Dog Ann.
Thank you for what you do.”
Christine Zygmont and her first Leader Dog, Ann
(class 15-01)
Donors Support Next Generation of Professionals By Kathryn
Tuck
In 2012, Leader Dogs for the Blind launched the nation’s first
Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Internship Academy with both
grant and endowment support from the Edward T. and Ellen K.
Dryer Foundation.
In the summer of 2014, the Patterson Foundation further
supported the Dryer Orientation and Mobility Internship Academy,
as well as a new grant initiative to provide housing, meals and
educational opportunities to veterinary (DVM) and veterinary tech
(DVT) students completing their externship with Leader Dog.
While a world-renowned veterinary medicine program is
located about 100 miles away from Leader Dog at Michigan State
University (MSU) in East Lansing, many of the students studying
at MSU are from around the country and require housing
assistance to complete their three to four week externship
rotation. Furthermore, Leader Dog has accepted externs from 13
other schools across the country. The Patterson Foundation, which
supports a variety of medical, veterinary and vocational
rehabilitation programs involving collaborative efforts by students
and nonprofits in the community, shared our vision to facilitate
well-developed practitioner internships/externships for aspiring
O&M, veterinary and vet tech professionals.
Leader Dog continues to seek partnerships with foundations
that support our unique opportunities to facilitate internships,
externships and apprenticeships in a variety of program areas. For
more information on how your foundation can support the next
generation of professionals, please contact Kathryn Tuck, director
of foundation giving, at ktuck@leaderdog.org.
Photo: A young woman in a lab coat presses a stethoscope to
the chest of a 7-week-old puppy captioned “MSU veterinary
student Ashley Fijal giving a golden retriever puppy an exam prior
to him being placed with a puppy raiser.”
Photo: A young man in scrubs holds a newborn puppy
captioned “Veterinary student Mac Kendall from University of
Tennessee poses with a new puppy after assisting with a
cesarean section at Leader Dog.”
Stay Connected with Us
Visit us online at leaderdog.org
Facebook
Join us by searching “Leader Dogs for the Blind”
Flickr
Check out recent photos at flickr.com/photos/leader dog
Twitter
Follow us today @Leader_Dog
YouTube
Watch us in action on youtube.com/leaderdogvideos
Lions Highlight
By Beth Slade
The members of the Waco Women’s Lions Club in Waco, Texas
took a dinner with a cause to new heights. Their first Dinner in
the Dark far exceeded their expectations in more than one way.
Many clubs have introduced this fundraising event to raise
money and awareness. There are different variations but the
essence is diners are blindfolded and rely on communication
throughout the meal. Often each table has a “sighted guide” who
can explain the setup on the table. The dinner plate is explained
as a clock face; for example, chicken is at 6 o’clock, green beans
at 1 o’clock. Likewise, phrases such as, “The salad dressing is
over there,” aren’t helpful when you can’t see where “over
there” is.
Leader Dog client Tammy Freeman was the guest speaker.
Tammy lost her sight in an accident 10 years ago and has
explained it was one of the best things that has ever happened to
her. It brought her life into perspective. Her husband also
attended which made Tammy laugh, saying, “I offered to cut his
steak! I do this all the time—he doesn’t!”
“Who knows which diner will hear something that night and
can tell someone who needs a [guide] dog?” said Kim Giles,
president of the Waco Women’s Lions Club. “You never know what
will happen when you drop a pebble in a pond.”
Photo: A man and a woman sit at a table of food while the
woman adjusts her blindfold captioned “Two diners orient
themselves at Dinner in the Dark.”
Pinstripers’ Charity Panel Jam at AutoRama By Maureen Smith
Year after year, custom car enthusiasts from all over the country
flock to Cobo Center in Detroit for the country’s largest premier
custom car showcase—AutoRama. Hundreds of custom cars are on
display for people to enjoy, but tucked away in the back corner of
Cobo is where all the excitement happens throughout the
weekend.
Each year, the Motor City Auto Art Mavens host the
Pinstripers’ Charity Panel Jam. Over 100 talented artists are
invited by the Mavens to create custom artwork onsite that will be
available for auction. The artists are from around the country and
volunteer their time—and all of the artwork they create. The
artwork, which ranges from panel art to faux vintage signs, is
auctioned off to benefit Leader Dog. Since 2009, the Mavens have
raised over $271,000 to benefit our programs and services.
Lead in the Holidays—An event to benefit Leader Dogs for the
Blind
It was a special night for all attendees at the 23rd Annual Lead in
the Holidays. This year’s event was held at the beautiful Royal Park
Hotel in Downtown Rochester and celebrated the 75th anniversary
of Leader Dog. Guests enjoyed a gourmet dinner, exciting silent
and live auctions, and the opportunity to hear more about how
Leader Dog enables the human spirit through client stories and
experiences.
One highlight of the night was the blindfold walks sponsored
by Sellers Subaru. Upon check-in, each guest received a ticket to
“test drive” a Leader Dog with the assistance of one of our guide
dog mobility instructors; for every guest that did, Sellers Subaru
donated $100 to Leader Dog. More than 140 people took
advantage of this opportunity.
Photo: Men and women dressed up in dresses and suits sit
around a table laughing in a room full of people captioned
“Guests enjoyed the seated dinner.”
Photo: A row of men and women stand, each with a guide
dog on their left captioned “Instructors and Leader Dogs in
training were on hand for blindfold walks”
Leader Dogs for the Blind
1039 S. Rochester Road
Rochester Hills, MI 48307
Toll Free: 888/777.5332
Phone: 248/651.9011
leaderdog.org