Harness & Leash
Edition 12 – February 2013
Letter from the Editor
A belated Happy New Year to all! Our year started great at Leader
Dog, in part because our year ended so great. We were gifted with
two large donations at the end of 2012.
The first was a $1 million grant from the Dryer Foundation to
fund an expansion of our Accelerated Orientation & Mobility
Training which will include the ability to have 3—4 O&M university
interns per year and hire an additional certified O&M specialist.
The second was a $1 million anonymous donation! Obviously,
there are people out there that really believe in our mission and
we are so grateful.
I’m always looking for great stories about our clients and their
Leader Dogs, so please email your stories to me at
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
New Field Representatives
A message from Rod Haneline, Chief Programs and Services
Officer
We believe that an important part of the services we provide
include follow-up assistance once our clients have returned home
with their Leader Dogs. You may need in-home assistance for a
wide variety of reasons including mastering extremely complicated
street crossings, help introducing your dog into your work
environment or correcting working issues with your dog.
To be able to service clients in a timely manner, we have
contracted with field representatives throughout the United
States. These field representatives are O&M’s, guide dog mobility
instructors (GDMI) who have worked at other guide dog
organizations, and even a few past Leader Dog team members. In
every case, the field representative is skilled and knowledgeable
about our style and standard of training.
If a contracted field representative has been scheduled to
visit you, your client service coordinator will contact you with
his/her name beforehand. If you ever question someone’s
association with Leader Dog, do not hesitate to contact your client
service coordinator at the number listed at the end of this
newsletter.
Meet Will Henry, LDB Field Services Representative
We were glad to welcome seasoned GDMI Will Henry to Leader
Dog in October as a regional field services representative. Will has
over 16 years of experience in the guide dog industry most
recently working for Seeing Eye. He also holds a master’s degree
in Orientation & Mobility from Western Michigan University.
As a field services representative, Will is responsible for
assessing potential clients, following-up with clients in their home
and doing Leader Dog home deliveries.
Voice of the Client Focus Group
Leader Dog has engaged Morpace Inc., a market research
company, to conduct focus groups via teleconference on behalf of
Leader Dog. Over the next several weeks you may be contacted
by representatives of Morpace to solicit your participation. This is
a random selection process and you may not be contacted. There
will be a total of 32 participants (eight clients in four
teleconference sessions). The purpose of the focus group is to
gauge client experience and ask questions related to programs
and services. These focus groups are just one component of our
overall effort to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our
clients. Your participation will be greatly appreciated.
Our Guide Dog Mobility Instructors (GDMI) Get a New
Office
In mid-February our GDMI’s made a much-needed office move
from the kennel building into the administration building. The new
office gives them a lot more work space to have meetings, return
client phone calls and complete their office work (without bumping
into each other and stepping on each other’s toes!)
The GDMI’s are sharing the new space with our O&M
specialists which allows the groups to share ideas and training
techniques.
The old space in the kennel will be converted into a relaxing
area for our canine support volunteers to spend time with our
dogs in training.
Urban Environment Training
Working with a guide dog in an urban environment poses many
challenges including high levels of motor activity, using public
mass transit and working through crowds of people. Though we
have a good variety of working environments close to Rochester
Hills, we do not have a dense urban environment like the one
found in Chicago or New York.
In October, 2013 we will conduct a pilot program to train clients
identified as urban travelers in Chicago. Clients will spend the first
part of their guide dog training at Leader Dog and then complete
their experience in Chicago. They will learn to work with their dogs
in high traffic environments and travel using the wide variety of
mass transit that Chicago offers.
If you or someone you know would benefit from this type of
urban environment training, please contact your client services
coordinator.
Word of Mouth is Our Best Advertisement
Time and again when we ask new clients how they learned about
Leader Dogs for the Blind we hear “a friend told me” or “I met
someone with a Leader Dog.” Please keep telling everyone you
come in contact with (others with visual impairments, rehab
specialists, O&M specialists, doctors, etc.) about all our free
programs—especially our Accelerated O&M Training. If anyone has
questions, they can call 888-777-5332 and they will be connected
with the proper client services coordinator.
Kennel Feasibility and Planning Study Findings
Over the past year we have been working on a plan to improve
our kennel facility. In order to execute our strategy of quality, the
current kennel needs to include larger spaces for human-dog
interaction, bigger stalls that allow our dogs more movement,
veterinary and breeding areas designed to accommodate the large
number of dogs that we care for, and an improved HVAC system.
A kennel redesign plan was completed in May, 2012 by Animal
Arts. We then hired a consultant to conduct a planning study
assessing our readiness for a capital campaign for the redesign.
The following is an overview and findings of the study.
Purpose and Methodology
The purpose of the study was to test and evaluate overall
perceptions and attitudes toward Leader Dogs for the Blind’s
proposed plan to renovate/expand the current kennel facility and
estimated total scope and cost of the renovation. The study also
assessed the potential financial and leadership support for the
project.
The study was conducted using several methods including
private interviews, focus groups and an e-survey. Groups included
in the study were team members, volunteers, Lions, donors,
board members and the external community.
Response to Proposed Plans
Overall respondents have a positive/very positive view of Leader
Dog (93%). Of all respondents, 89% were willing to consider
giving a gift to the campaign, 77% felt Leader Dog should conduct
a campaign to raise money to renovate the kennel facility, and
25% were willing to accept a leadership role in the campaign.
This is an above-average level of support. A full two-thirds of
people interviewed, without prompting, stated that the
unwavering commitment that Leader Dog’s staff has toward the
mission was an organizational strength.
Based on the collective responses from the study, our consultant
believes a preliminary fundraising goal of $7-9 million for this
project is challenging yet attainable.
Next Steps and Timing
The proposed kennel renovation was the major topic at our
February 12 board meeting. During the meeting the board voted
to narrow the scope of the project from $22 million to a more
realistic $13 million based on the feasibility study results which
stated we can raise $7-9 million with a capital campaign excluding
any estate gifts and any gift from the LDB Foundation. A task
force will be working on design details in order to determine actual
costs, and this will be brought to the board at the August meeting.
Leader Dog Cookbook
Back by popular demand! The gift shop has been restocked with
Leader Dog cookbooks. They are $12.75 each ($15.00 minus a
15% discount for clients) and they come with a cd of all the
recipes. To order, send a check to: Leader Dogs for the Blind,
ATTN: Gift Shop, 1039 S. Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, MI
48307 for the correct amount listed below (note that shipping
costs have been added.)
One cookbook - $18.60
Two cookbooks - $32.35
Three cookbooks - $47.00
I’m Still Here
(written by Cristene Filliton in honor of LDB Client Windy Peyton’s
dogs, Soney and Joy)
Friend, please don't mourn for me,
I'm still here, though you don't see....
I'm right by your side each night and day,
And within your heart I long to stay.
My body is gone but I'm always near,
I'm everything you feel, see or hear.
My spirit is free, but I'll never depart,
As long as you keep me alive in your heart.
I'll never wander out of your sight.
I'm the brightest star on a summer night.
I'll never be beyond your reach.
I'm the warm moist sand when you're at the beach.
I'm the colorful leaves when fall comes around,
And the pure white snow that blankets the ground.
I'm the beautiful flowers of which you're so fond,
The clear cool water in a quiet pond.
I'm the first bright blossom you'll see in the spring,
The first warm raindrop that April will bring.
I'm the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine,
And you'll see that the face in the moon is mine.
When you start thinking there's no one to love you,
You can talk to me through the Lord above you.
I'll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees,
And you'll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.
I'm the hot salty tears that flow when you weep,
And the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep.
I'm the smile you see on a baby's face.
Just look for me, friend, I'm everyplace!
Circle of Life
Births
Delta (hosted by Uchida Family) x Huron (hosted by Young
Family) – 9 Labrador retrievers
Spinner (hosted by King Family) x Huron (hosted by Young
Family) – 8 Labrador retrievers
Gracie (hosted by Eagen Family) x Gus (hosted by Wattles Family)
– 3 Labrador retrievers
Mensa (hosted by Beavnier Family) x Cruiser (hosted by Gardner
Family) – 7 Labrador retrievers
Yama (hosted by Johnson Family) x Brock (hosted by Riha Family)
– 7 Labrador retrievers
Daphne (hosted by Bowers Family) x Buddy (hosted by Mackler
Family) – 8 golden retrievers
Polo (hosted by Cichon Family) x Alphie (hosted by Dunn Family)
– 7 golden retrievers
Glory (hosted by Hundley Family) x Wilson (hosted by Mason
Family) – 3 Labrador retrievers
Cici (hosted by McCormic Family) x Benson (hosted by McGregor
Family) – 5 Labrador retrievers
Breeding Stock Retired
Cammy – Gunnink Family
Isis – Grzesik Family
Party – Hartbarger Family
Sophie – Barrett Family
Breeding Stock Deceased
Amigo – Clinthorne Family
Hope – Baker Family
Princess – Simpson Family
Rovair – Schreiner Family
Sy – Olds Family
Leader Dogs Retired
Abbey – Willie Prater
Bruce – William Carty
Chip – James Hill
Cooper – Mark Riley
Dickens – Robert Morris
Gracie – Katharine Kennedy
Hershey – Shigeru Toda
Journey – Roger Podsim
Kyler – Debra Welling
Lars – Mercedes Blanco Abelaira
Nina – Tyrone Pertee
Page – Marlene Hackney
Pilot – James King
Samuel – Clark Schanely
Scout – Dennis Kraft
Scout – Linda Baumeister
Usher – Eddie Walker
Velvet – Juan Gonzalez Mejia
Yukon – Ann Lemke
Zoe – Sara Alfie Turquie
Leader Dogs Deceased
Aaron – Federico Santiago Rios
Angus – Paul Pell
Bailey – Lucy Pennow
Bentlee – Bunny Tabatt
Birdie – Teresa Daughtry
Buddy – Ronald Reda
Charlie – Fermin Luis Hernandez
Charlie – Victor Weber
Claiborne – Rosa Maria Chavez
Diesel – Julio Carrillo
Duggan – Michael Work
Guido – Anthony Heckemeyer
Jasmine – Guy Mifflin
Josef – Pamela Quinn
Joy – Windy Peyton
Katie – Steven Jeske
MacKenzie – Jesus Lozano
Maggie – Isobel Konwinski
Mason – Moises Izquierdo
Max – Don Carter
Maxwell – Charles Corrello
Molly – April Swift
Radar – Judith Williams
Rocky – Gregory Wren
Santana – Edward Dunbar
Simmy – Olive Harvey
Skylar – Johnnie Maddux
Tailor – Brian Opekan
Zosia – Susan Ohlson
Zuri – Jackie Keefer-Martin
Classes (note: GDMI is Guide Dog Mobility Instructor)
Class 13-04
GDMI Phil Griffin; Patricia Gainey and Mocha, black Labrador
retriever (puppy raiser: Hannah Coyle); Thomas Cunningham and
Robbie (Fred), yellow Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Bernie
Hickman)
GDMI Sue Hackman; Norina Shields and Dayo, yellow Labrador
retriever (puppy raiser: Stephanie Lixie); William Mortimer and
Max, black Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Michele Belinky);
Cheryl Wade and Selene, golden retriever (puppy raisers: John
and Elaine Berkheiser); Doreen Schuerman and Kiva, black
Labrador retriever (puppy raisers: Brian and Darlene Conroy)
GDMI Linda Fisher; Rafael Quesada Inces and Stanley, yellow
Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Andrea Rourke); Harold Simons
and Jett, black Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Dick Spence);
Marjorie Alvarado Umana and Katy, black Labrador retriever
(puppy raiser: Elaine Theisen); Interpreter Rafael de la Pena
GDMI Randy Horn; Rebecca Evou and Willi, black Labrador
retriever (puppy raiser: Travis Herman); Adria Hanus and Cassie,
golden retriever (puppy raiser: Sue Kress); Marc Roda and
Mensch (Butsch), German shepherd (puppy raiser: Jean Pensis)
Class 13-05
GDMI Carrie Pryce; Yaiza Meriel Larrondo and Olive, black
Labrador retriever (puppy raisers: Allison and Steve Catrell);
Isabel Mas Martorell and Austin, Labrador/golden retriever (puppy
raisers: Ryan Newson and David Neal); Paloma Ferreras Soto and
Kimber, yellow Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Matthew
Giertych); Miguel Hidalgo Fernandez and Chowder, golden
retriever (puppy raisers: Kathryn Larson and Angela Moyers);
Francisco Farre Barri and Phineas, black Labrador retriever (puppy
raisers: Pam and Abby Wise); Interpreter Lino Gonzalez Garcia
GDMI Denise Atler; GDMI Jill Vani; Rene Leyrer and Magic, golden
retriever (puppy raiser: Dick Spence); Perry and Diesel, black
Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Yvonne Bodley); Larry
Golembiewski and Shamus, golden retriever (puppy raiser: Katie
Bachman); Aileen Bell and Finnie Mae, golden retriever (puppy
raiser: Cora Hohnstadt); James Crall and Archie, Labrador/golden
retriever (puppy raiser: Janet Anderton)
Class 13-06
GDMI Debbie Komondy; Francisco Alberto Agudo Bravo and Utah,
yellow Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Pat Boyd); Josefina
Carillo Montiel and Badger, black Labrador retriever (puppy raiser:
Kristi Sazama); Sara Alfie Turquie and Praia, yellow Labrador
retriever (puppy raisers: Mark and Arlene Vuturo); Juan Alberto
Gonzalez Mejia and Emerald (Emi), black Labrador retriever
(puppy raiser: Dennis Butrick); Interpreter Jose “Bobby” Ugalde
Castro
GDMI Jamie Togal; William Herzler and Liberty (Libby), black
Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Carol Fredericks); Vilma
Anderson and Hadley, yellow Labrador retriever (puppy raisers:
Karen West and Ernie Schmatz)
GDMI Katie Wattles; Linda McCann and Coal, black Labrador
retriever (puppy raiser: Scott Bates); Junior Farley and Butterball,
golden retriever (puppy raiser: Kimberly Muschong); Aaron
Spreitzer and Sully, black Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Lucy
Goeke)
Apprentice GDMI Dave Meyer; Robert Hart and Nobel, yellow
Labrador retriever (puppy raiser: Cheryl Hach); BJ Blahnik and
Hayden, black Labrador retriever (puppy raisers: Dan and Patricia
Vandercar); Patricia Pepper Orr and Cindy, yellow Labrador
retriever (puppy raiser: Vera O’Bryan)
Class 13-07
GDMI Kevin Ihrke; Apprentice GDMI Rebecca Seifers; Anita Nelson
and Queen, golden retriever (puppy raiser: Brent Spitzer); Molly
Eschelbach and Mileigh, black Labrador retriever (puppy raiser:
Allysen Rospopo); Harley Windle and Bonnie, black Labrador
retriever (puppy raiser: Danielle Webb)
GDMI Dave Heins; Miguel Gil Garcia and Nelson, black Labrador
retriever (puppy raisers: David Neal, Jonathan Brewer, Jacob
Dunagan); Sonia Collado Rubayo and Josie, black Labrador
retriever (puppy raiser: Emily Moore); Maria (Fatima) Sanchez
Moreno and Madison (Maddy), black Labrador retriever (puppy
raiser: Lorelei Milo); Pedro Esquiva Gomez de Salazar and Ulysses
(Ulee), black Labrador retriever (puppy raisers: Chad Theis and
Diane McPharlin); Interpreter Laura Dominguez Zabala
GDMI Catherine Palid; Apprentice GDMI Kathryn Roberts; Rose
Romero and Ivy, black Labrador retriever (puppy raisers: Mike
and Beth Revello); Jennifer Rogers and Rylee, golden retriever
(puppy raisers: Steve and Mary Landry); Kim Becker and Gracie
Mae (Gracie), Labrador/golden retriever (puppy raisers: Elwood
and Bonnie Thomas)
Client Services Contacts
Your first point of contact for any questions, comments or
assistance is always your client services coordinator. You can
reach your coordinator by calling 888-777-5332 and requesting
her by name or call directly via the following phone numbers.
Allison Jones (was Beckett), Last names A-J, 248-650-7103
Stephanie Steele, Last names K-N, 248-659-5006
Barb Upmeyer, Last names O-Z and Spanish Speaking, 248650-7112
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.