Leader Dogs for the Blind
Update - Issue 3, 2014
Celebrating 75 Years in 2014
Greetings! It’s amazing to me that we are already coming to the end of our 75th year. We have had so much to celebrate – thousands of guide dog clients graduated, a thriving orientation and mobility training program, guide dog services for clients who are deaf and blind, a wonderful summer camp program and the continued use of GPS technology in our programs.
Throughout the year I’ve thought about how we have gotten to this point, how we have been able to grow over the last seven decades because of the amazing support we have had every step of the way. Donors, puppy raisers, Lions clubs, volunteers, corporations, breeding stock hosts and foundations who believe strongly in our mission of empowering people who are blind or visually impaired with lifelong skills for independent travel have enabled us to change the lives of thousands of people who live in darkness. And all of these individuals and groups will significantly impact our success in the years ahead.
As we look forward to 2015, we will focus on the tagline of our 75th logo, “Setting our sights on the future.” Consequently, this issue of Update highlights some of the many young people involved with Leader Dog. Most are fresh out of high school or

college and they will be a big part of our future. We are glad that they have chosen to get involved with Leader Dog – whether as a client, a team member or a supporter.
I have been privileged to serve Leader Dogs for the Blind through our 75th year and I am excited to tell you that we are in the process of planning to ensure that Leader Dog is indeed the
“Leader” in the industry for the next 75 years.
I hope you read this issue of Update with excitement for what is to come. Enjoy the autumn season and be safe!
Sincerely,
Susan M. Daniels
President and CEO
Photo: Our 75 th 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.”
Jason Corning is Still on the Move By Rachelle Kniffen
In 2010 we highlighted Jason Corning, a Deaf-Blind client, and his
Leader Dog Spencer in an issue of Update (Issue 1 – 2010). Jason

recently trained with his second Leader Dog, Niko, and filled us in on what he’s been up to. And boy, has he been busy!
Jason is currently working for the U.S. Department of Defense as the Test and Evaluation Lead for the Business Capability
Division. In this position he tests software systems to make sure they are accessible to people with disabilities.
Jason also entered the Master of Science in Information
Systems program at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School.
He’s on course to graduate in late 2015 or early 2016. He is the president of both the Metro-Washington Association of the Deaf-
Blind and the Baltimore Association of the Deafblind. He serves as the U.S. region coordinator for the Deafblind International Youth
Network. If this is not enough, in his “spare” time he got married!
Leader Dog Spencer is now retired. Knowing that he was getting another Leader Dog, Jason made the hard decision to find a loving family to adopt Spencer. On a visit to his chiropractor’s office, Jason mentioned that he was retiring Spencer. Several hours later an employee called Jason to tell him she would love to adopt Spencer and that the chiropractor had already said she was welcome to bring Spencer to the office. Jason was glad about this because Spencer is happiest in active, social situations. Another benefit is Jason’s ability to visit Spencer periodically. So the adoption was finalized.
Jason foresees his future to be as busy as the past four years. With his current Leader Dog, Niko, he plans to continue

working for the government and graduating with his master’s degree. He and his spouse plan on traveling and possibly starting a family.
If his past is any indication, we’re sure Jason will make all his plans a reality.
Photo: The cover of our Issue 1, 2010 Update with Jason
Corning and Leader Dog Spencer on the cover captioned “Jason and LD Spencer were together for nine years. After finding a family to adopt Spencer, Jason contacted his Leader Dog instructor to find out the best way to transition Spencer to his new home. Upon her advice, Jason allowed Spencer to meet his new family, then go back for continually longer visits until the day came for Spencer to stay in his new home.”
Photo: Jason walks down a Rochester street with his new
Leader Dog Niko captioned “Niko is such a professional working dog,” says Jason, “He isn’t interested in getting attention from anyone but me. He is smart and loves to do his job. I’m amazed how quickly he learns. It is already easy to travel with him.”
Letters from our Alumni
Thank you so much for putting Stella in my life. She is a serious pup when it comes to working. We got our certification today in

customer service. I could not have completed it without Stella’s help. She has changed my life so much and has given me the courage to go forward in life. She is very supportive and it means everything to me. She has already made an impact on my life.
Lea Dunbar – Facebook post on August 26, 2014
To Everyone at Leader Dogs for the Blind,
Please find this letter to show my extreme gratitude for Angel! I attended training this past May. The instructors and the entire team at Leader Dog worked tirelessly and effortlessly to help make my experience wonderful! Once Angel and I were introduced, I knew the right girl was at my side!
Guide Dog Training, or “boot camp for the blind” as my husband refers to it, was even more than what I expected. The training was personalized to include every aspect of day-to-day living and all of its encounters. The team asked of our needs and tailored each day to help us learn and accomplish all that we would need to know in order to successfully immerse ourselves back into our everyday lives.
Angel and I experienced everything together. We learned to shop, ride the elevators and escalators, how to maneuver a busy mall concourse and how to get to a classroom if attending school.
Our training included riding the city bus, the People Mover and walking in the downtown Detroit area!

The experience I have had at Leader Dog will be one I will never forget! I am extremely fortunate and proud to tell each and every person I encounter about my experience at Leader Dog. I am extremely grateful to everyone involved with this wonderful organization; the staff, Lions club members, benefactors, volunteers and puppy raisers of Leader Dog.
Before coming to Leader Dog, my friend Carrie gave me a guardian angel pin to guide me through my training. I came to
Leader Dogs for the Blind with a guardian angel pinned to my collar, but I left with my guardian angel at my side!
Thank you to everyone for this beautiful angel in my life!
Deborah J. Borrowcliff
I wanted to take a moment to share one of LD Zoe’s accomplishments.
Yesterday we had a major fire on one of the floors in our building. The alarms in the building were blaring when I got Zoe and I together to head down the stairwell grabbing some of our
“go” items by the door. At that point I wasn’t aware if it was a false alarm or the real thing.
When I got into the stairwell I knew it was the real thing.
The alarms in the stairwell were shrieking even louder as they reverberated in the enclosed space. You could smell the smoke and burning materials. Two more flights down we ran into

firemen who directed us to continue down the stairs. I was coughing from the smoke as it was pretty intense. When we got outside, the firemen there settled us in a safe place.
Zoe was amazing! Though she was physically shaking as a reaction to the alarms, she steadily got us both down the stairs and safely outside without actually giving way to any fear or panic. She went through the smoke without hesitating and once outside, even though there was the commotion of the trucks, the lights, the hoses, etc., she settled us where the firemen placed us then stayed close by, having a drink of water and some treats until we were allowed back in the building a few hours later.
Thank you so much LDB for the fantastic training Zoe received that helped her get us both outside. I am so, so proud of her!
Julie Stevenson – Facebook post on September 14, 2014
To Whom this May Concern:
Please find enclosed a gift of money. This is my donation honoring the 75th Anniversary of my wonderful school.
I am very proud to say this is my 42nd year of having a
Leader Dog. I am honored in being considered part of this wonderful family. You have changed my life in so many ways, it would be difficult to put into words. I just cannot imagine my life without my beautiful pair of eyes you have matched me with in the past 42 years. These eyes may have four paws and a wagging

tail, but they are so magical in making a blind person’s life full of independence, pride and a kind of quality that is not described properly in the dictionary. I will always be so proud of my school.
Graduates Mickey and Leader Dog Emerson
Navigating Higher Learning: Leader Dog Style By Jennifer
Wilkinson
By the time you are choosing a college or university, you have likely spent well over 7,000 days in various schools preparing for this moment. It is not a small investment, but now the end game of school days is near. Time for some hard questions: which college? Should you stay close to home or venture far away? What major? Live on campus or off? How will you get from point A to point B?
This summer, six young women tackled that last question at
Leader Dogs for the Blind. Ranging in age from 17 to 21, each was about to embark on a brand new chapter of her life. And so, all six made one more important choice before heading off to college; first, they would come to Michigan to meet a four-footed best friend, guide and traveling companion.
Samantha Dalton is 21 and just began studying business administration at Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana for a two-year transfer degree. Her plan is to head to Indiana University

South Bend in a couple years to earn her bachelor’s degree in the same subject.
This summer, she fell in love with the Leader Dog, who is accompanying her through all of it.
Leader Dog Natsumi is a happy-go-lucky black Labrador retriever who likes to start her day by showering Sam with kisses.
“She’s got such a great personality and makes me laugh all the time,” Sam says. “Even today while we were walking through the halls on campus I found myself smiling because Natsu was just so happy and bouncy and ready to go on whatever adventure I said was next.” Natsumi’s happy energy is contagious. College staff members have told Sam that seeing Natsumi and Sam work together has brought smiles to their faces as well. “My sociology professor saw us coming into the classroom this morning and said,
‘Look, here comes the Dalton family.’ I really enjoy hearing the administrative staff talk to each other about her and refer to her as part of the student body.”
Sam admits that starting life with a Leader Dog has been more challenging then she expected. “I feel like everything has been a progression since we have come home from Leader Dog, and I feel like everything gets a little bit smoother each time that we do it.” With time and teamwork, Natsumi has become better at settling in Sam’s classes and learning her schedule and routines.
Sam has no words of regret about the process, saying, “I wouldn’t

change it for a thing. I can’t wait to see how things progress as we become even more of a seasoned team together.”
With Leader Dog Natsumi at Sam’s side, campus and the surrounding areas are less intimidating. “I feel much more confident than I could have imagined when I go out traveling with
Natsu,” Sam says. “I find myself going out and doing things in the community independently more often than I did before I had my
Leader Dog.”
Katelyn Strangstalien is 18 years old and has settled into dorm life at the College of Saint Benedict. Just a few months ago, she was settling into a similar room as she waited to meet the dog who would accompany her in her college career. Before long, she was learning about her new roommate for the foreseeable future: a yellow Labrador named Madison. After training together on
Leader Dog’s campus, they only had a short time to get acclimated with Katelyn’s family and home before setting off for college.
Katelyn and Madison are now traversing the grounds of the
College of Saint Benedict and learning the ropes of working on a college campus. Like many college campuses, this one has a feature that could be a tempting distraction for Katelyn’s canine companion: “There are a lot of squirrels.” In spite of the squirrels,
Katelyn says things are going well. “We do really good together,” she says. With a groan, she adds, “She makes me get up early, but it helps me get stuff done!”

Like many college freshman, Katelyn is still undecided about exactly where her college career is taking her. She is majoring in communications while figuring out what might be in her future, but wherever she goes, she is never alone. “Maddie helps me get around and we go everywhere together,” she says. An added bonus of Madison’s presence that any college freshman can appreciate? “She’s helping me make friends!”
Michelle Lee is also 18 years old, and she and Katelyn were not only in the same class at Leader Dog, they are both attending the College of Saint Benedict and majoring in the same program.
After they arrived on campus, one of Leader Dog’s field representatives joined them to help them and their dogs get used to the layout and navigation of the college grounds. “It went really well,” Michelle says. “The dogs have been really good at finding the flag pole [a central reference point in the middle of campus] and the bus stop.”
Michelle’s guide is Kelsey, a black Labrador/golden retriever cross with an infectious smile. Michelle says Kelsey has been adapting to campus nicely, but right away she mentions the same outdoor affliction as Katelyn, “There are so many squirrels!” Despite this challenge to Kelsey’s attention, Michelle and Kelsey have already adapted to life in the dorm and the travel routine from class to class.
Michelle is pursuing her education with specific plans for her future. “I like the feel of the court room and the law but I don’t see

myself as a lawyer. What I really want to be is a stenographer or a court reporter.”
Before Raven Wilson came to Leader Dog, her parents were a little nervous. “It was going to be the longest time I’d been away from home,” she explains. Raven had been using a white cane as a travel aid, and she wanted to learn to work with a guide dog before starting her first year at University of Illinois at
Springfield.
Since starting school this fall, Raven has been busy working toward her major in English with the goals of studying abroad and eventually becoming a high school English teacher. She won’t be alone; accompanying her is a social black Labrador/golden retriever named Dana, who Raven says seems to love her classes.
“She gives the other students puppy dog eyes and likes to sneak licks when no one’s looking.”
Raven has felt a big difference between using a white cane and working with Leader Dog Dana. “I found it to be a lot easier to navigate with her than with a cane because I don’t have to worry about my safety as much. I don’t have to worry about going into streets where there are cars or obstacles because Dana takes care of that.”
Despite her parents’ early concerns about Raven coming to
Leader Dog, she says that as she got more excited about it, her parents did too. “And now they adore Dana,” she laughs, “They

always ask when I’m coming home because they want to see
Dana!”
Grace Minter is not starting college until January, but she has no trouble articulating her plans for the next five to ten years.
She will be attending Mid-Atlantic Christian University to major in biblical studies. After getting her associate degree, the 18-yearold plans on continuing in their Christian counseling program and ultimately achieving a master’s in visual rehabilitation therapy. “I would like to teach assistive technology to other people with visual impairments,” she says.
As a preparatory step for her busy college career, Grace opted to spend almost a month training at Leader Dog with her gentle giant, 70-pound golden retriever Stormy. Shortly after returning home with Stormy, Grace wrote to Leader Dog to tell us about their life together, saying, “Stormy is a truly wonderful and special dog. When in harness, he is totally focused and eager to work. You can tell he loves his job.” When the harness comes off, Stormy is a fun-loving goofball. “He absolutely adores belly rubs, being scratched, and chasing his tail.”
At 17, Shannon Columb is the youngest of the group. Before embarking on her last year of high school, Shannon traveled to
Leader Dog. It was not her first time here; Shannon had previously attended Leader Dog’s Summer Experience Camp and Accelerated
Orientation and Mobility Training.

This summer, she was paired with Leader Dog Frasier, a solemn-looking but affectionate black Labrador/golden retriever cross. Shannon says that despite the stress and pressure of her hectic senior year, “Frasier is definitely making my last year the best year of high school.” Frasier enjoys accompanying Shannon to her classes, seeing her friends and teachers and sleeping under her desk. “All my classmates and teachers adore Frasier and have welcomed him as an Eagle (that’s our mascot),” she says.
Shannon is applying to University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, where she plans to begin studying communications, specializing in public relations. And after college? “Who knows where I might end up after college? New York... Chicago… or even Green Bay. I just want to live in a bigger city, get a job, settle down, travel and live my life to the fullest!”
Shannon credits her time at Leader Dog with helping her become the outgoing, confident young woman she is today. In these last few months, Leader Dog Frasier has become an important part of that. “Frasier’s definitely changed my life—he’s made me more confident, independent and responsible. He’s become my best friend—always there with a wagging tail, and someone I can trust with my safety. I couldn’t have asked for a better dog to be my first guide dog. He’s the perfect match for me.”

Photo: Samantha Dalton and LD Natsumi pose in front of a bulletin board at Ivy Tech Community College.
Photo: The whole group pose in front of a water and art structure captioned “L to R: Katelyn Strangstalien and LD
Madison, Samantha Dalton and LD Natsumi, Grace Minter and LD
Stormy, Raven Wilson and LD Dana, Shannon Columb and LD
Frasier, Michelle Lee and LD Kelsey training on the campus of
Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.”
Photo: Grace Minter and LD Stormy pose in front of Mid-
Atlantic Christian University’s outdoor sign.
Future Leader Dogs at Leader Dog University By Bev
Blanchard
A huge thank you to everyone who helped with Leader Dog
University this year. Over the two-day event, we had almost 500 puppy raisers and breeding stock hosts here along with family, friends, countless volunteers and team members. It was truly a team effort.
Next year, this event will likely be held off-site due to ongoing construction on the Canine Development Center. We will keep you posted as the time draws near.

Photo: A golden retriever Future Leader Dog is calmly lying under a chair amongst a crowd of people.
Aiding Brazil’s Guide Dog School By Rachelle Kniffen
For the past 15 years, Leader Dog has provided IRIS Guide Dogs
(Institute of Responsibility and Social Inclusion) in Brazil with four spaces for Brazilians to attend our Guide Dog Training each year.
We train the dogs, then the clients and a guide dog mobility instructor (GDMI) from Brazil come to Michigan for training.
Recently, IRIS realized the need to grow but did not have a way to train apprentice GDMIs. That’s where Leader Dog stepped in. We are in discussions with Brazil to send one apprentice per year to live and learn at LDB for five months. At the same time, we are helping IRIS to develop their own apprentice program.
This is not the first time Leader Dog has helped a guide dog organization in another country. We have an ongoing relationship with ONCE, the guide dog organization in Spain; we also helped the Taiwan Guide Dog Association with dogs and apprentice training when they were first starting out.
Photo: George stands at the corner of a crosswalk facing a client captioned “George Harrison is an apprentice GDMI from
Brazil. Here he shows Client Clovis Pereira how to work with Leader
Dog Terry at a down curb.”

Photo: Four clients sit in chairs in the front row while two
GDMI’s stand behind them captioned “The entire Brazilian group this September: back row l. to r. George Harrison, apprentice
GDMI; Moses Vieira dos Santos Jr., Brazil GDMI; front row l. to r.
Daniel Sisti and LD Hughey, Carla Antunes and LD Buster,
Dinacleia Galdino and LD Ellie, Clovis Pereira and LD Terry.”
Leader Dog’s Future Instructors By Cheryl Sacrates
Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be a guide dog mobility instructor (GDMI) at Leader Dogs for the Blind? Are you curious about what qualifications are needed or how you get into it? Have you dreamt about training dogs for a living? Well, here is an inside glimpse of our current apprentices, how they got their start and some of their favorite moments thus far.
Leader Dogs for the Blind recruits passionate individuals who share our organizational values. We place strong emphasis on people and the importance of cultivating an environment that encourages personal responsibility, doing what is right and teamwork. Our three-level GDMI apprentice program is no exception. In many ways, these individuals are the future of
Leader Dog.
“Leader Dog maintains an apprentice training and GDMI program second to none. All aspects from hiring to performance reviews are competency based, using tools developed over two

years by a Ph.D. hired for the project. It takes three years to train and qualify as a GDMI, and many more years of experience to master. Leader Dog trains and develops GDMIs to the highest standard ensuring we continue to meet our commitment to quality services now and in the future.” ~ Rod Haneline
Ashley Ayers Level 1 Apprentice
Background: Graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in zoology (concentration in animal behavior and neurobiology).
Worked in the behavior department at the Capital Area Humane
Society in Lansing.
What interested you in becoming a guide dog mobility instructor (GDMI)? “I originally began working here in the kennel, caring for the dogs and learning the ropes of Leader Dog. I had hoped to be an instructor but the job wasn’t currently posted. I was attracted to Leader Dog due to the location, public presence and the overall mission. When I studied at MSU, I didn’t know what job I wanted after graduation but I knew I wanted to help people through the use of animals.”
Favorite client moment: “This past class had a handful of younger clients who were getting ready to finish high school or begin college. I loved being a part of their experience with Leader
Dog, knowing that in a sense they are really the future of the organization. I cannot wait to see how they grow and mature through the use of their canine partners.”

Favorite dog moment: “My favorite moments are when the dogs express immense excitement to show their instructors and clients what they’ve learned, whether it be stopping at curbs, navigating obstacles or finding doors. I’ve never met dogs that are so excited to “work”; they love what they do.”
Dave Meyer Level 3 Apprentice
Background: Public school teacher, part-time work in dog kennels/daycares, various dog rescue organizations and as a dog
“musher” in Montana.
What interested you in becoming a guide dog mobility instructor (GDMI)? “I get to combine my three passions: helping people, working with dogs and being outdoors.”
Favorite client moment: “When a client exclaimed, ‘I feel like
I can see again.’”
Favorite dog moment: “The moment a dog stopped immediately for a car that was about to hit a client while crossing a street.”
Alyssa Ozrovitz Level 2 Deaf-Blind Apprentice
Background: Bachelor of Science degree from Central Michigan
University with a major in psychology and a minor in American
Sign Language and helped lead basic obedience classes for a dog daycare.

What interested you in becoming a guide dog mobility instructor (GDMI)? “I had known about LDB from a young age because I grew up in metro[politan] Detroit. I knew that I wanted to work with dogs as well as make a positive impact in people’s lives, so I thought LDB would be a great opportunity for me.”
Favorite client moment: “One that comes to mind happened while I was working with one of my Deaf-Blind clients—we had just completed an obedience routine and I told the client to praise his dog. After my client had praised his dog he signed “I love you” right in front of the dogs face.”
Favorite dog moment: “During my first blindfold walk with a dog that I had trained from start to finish. I knew that our dogs guided our clients, but actually feeling the dog guide me and take me around obstacles was such a good feeling.”
Rebbie Radtke Level 2 Apprentice
Background: Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from
Bates College, degrees in exotic animal training and management, animal behavior management and wildlife education from Moorpark
College. Trained dogs at various kennels and worked at Predators in Action training large cats and bears for movie work and at
Moonridge Animal Park, which was a rescue/rehabilitation zoo.
What interested you in becoming a guide dog mobility instructor (GDMI)? “I loved training animals but really enjoy

working with people as well and wanted to have an element of working with people in my career.”
Favorite client moment: “It was bittersweet, but it was when my first client graduated. I knew she would be great and even though I was sad to see her go I was so excited for her to go out into the world and be successful with her new Leader Dog.”
Favorite dog moment: ”The day I got to see Wilson, the first dog I trained from start to finish, work with a client. To know I had taught him and that he was performing his job so perfectly made me very proud.”
Sarah Duyck Level 1 Apprentice
Background: Bachelor’s degree from Madonna University with a double major in sign language studies and Spanish. Certified in
Michigan as an ASL interpreter. Active with 4-H as a child and was a puppy raiser for five years. Competitive dog agility and volunteered at a local animal shelter.
What interested you in becoming a guide dog mobility instructor (GDMI)? ”Since I was a kid, I have always loved dogs and wanted to have a dog-related job. Through puppy raising for
Leader Dog, I developed an admiration and appreciation for the work that is done here.”
Favorite client moment: “I was walking on the practice course with my very first client and she was so pumped up at being able to walk at the speed that she was used to before her

vision loss; I thought she was going to take off into the air with joy.”
Favorite dog moment: “I had a dog that was very sensitive to making mistakes. We were working very hard on building up his confidence. One day we went to downtown Detroit. I anticipated having to give him ample support, but to my great happiness he did an amazing job navigating a myriad of obstacles with much improved confidence level. It was a really awesome feeling to watch him blossom like that.”
Kathryn Roberts Level 1 Apprentice
Background: Master’s degree in mental health and rehabilitation counseling from the University of Iowa and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and international studies from Iowa State University.
What interested you in becoming a guide dog mobility instructor (GDMI)? “Following my experiences working at a kennel for four years and raising a puppy for a service dog organization, combined with my passion for working with people, I was inspired to apply for a position at Leader Dog. This organization allows me to perfectly combine my interests.”
Favorite client moment: “When I watched one of my first clients complete a route with her dog without any support from myself. Her excitement was all over her face, and she was so proud of herself. I continue to realize this feeling with all of my clients.”

Favorite dog moment: “One day we decided to take our dogs to the free run pen. Before we realized there was a big mud puddle in the pen, the dogs had a grand time jumping around and playing in it. They ended up with mud all over their paws and faces, but it was totally worth the baths they had to get afterwards. It was a nice way to cool off after a long day of work!”
Tina Vinokurow Level 1 Apprentice
Background: Degree in business management. Worked as an animal control officer, then in the Leader Dog dog care department and as a kennel administrative assistant.
What interested you in becoming a guide dog mobility instructor (GDMI)? “I love helping others and working with dogs… what a great combination!”
Favorite client moment: “When a client was with his dog, a car sped into a driveway. This was the client and dog’s first trip together in downtown Rochester—only a few days after the client and dog met. The dog did a phenomenal job, stopped for the car and kept the client safe.”
Favorite dog moment: “Every time a dog learns a new skill and really gets it, that’s exciting!”

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.
New Legacy Society Members
Robert Schwarz in memory of Judith Glover-Schwarz
(and German Shepherds Max, Luther and Moses)

Laurlyn K. Harmon & Randall L. Bekkers
Terry Maderak
Lynn Talbert
Mission Moment
“Before, I was completely dependent on other people. I was constantly bumping into things, constantly tripping over things.
I’ve gotten so many goose eggs on my head. Laney will give me back my independence.”
Susan Neveu-Bhatti and and her second Leader Dog, Laney
(class 13-11)
Foundation Giving Trends By Kathryn Tuck
Leader Dogs for the Blind is supported by more than sixty foundations annually, many of which are from Michigan and the
Midwest. According to a 2011 study from the Pew Research
Institute, Michigan is rated in the top three states per capita for foundation support.
To better engage our foundation partners, we recently held a
Foundation Roundtable, where we provided these grantors with overviews of our programs, insight into our metrics for evaluation and experiences that only happen because of our Leader Dog mission.

The trends in foundation giving are moving towards accountability and measurement, noting that social innovation with the nonprofit community must now be collaborative, networked and interdependent. As a result, foundations are seeking to do the most good by viewing their grant dollars as an investment in both mission and outcomes.
Leader Dog has embraced this trend for nearly a decade as our operational plan incorporates the collection and quarterly review of a performance dashboard with metrics for every department, alignment of our mission and vision with an outcome-driven strategic plan, and a recently enhanced integrated database system that allows departments to more fully share and utilize data. With these measures in place, Leader
Dog has more time to delve deeply into the next great innovations that will shape our industry.
If you represent a foundation that supports the Leader Dog mission or would like to learn more, please contact Kathryn Tuck, director of foundation giving, at 248/218.6431 to plan a site visit.
Photo: A group of people sit around a table captioned
“Attendees representing over four decades of giving to Leader
Dog listen to Jay Fergusson of Mutual of America discuss Leader
Dog’s 2013 Community Partnership Award win.“
Photo: Two ladies sit on a bench in front of the Leader Dog administration building with a golden retriever puppy sitting at

their feet captioned “Mother and daughter trustees of the
Molinello Foundation meet Future Leader Dog Aizlyn on their recent visit to the campus for the Foundation Roundtable.”
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
Leos: The Future of Lions By Beth Slade
Here’s a glimpse into the future of Lions from Sussex Lions Club
(District 27-A-2) President and Leo Advisor Greg Meers and high school senior Alyssa Molinski, president of Sussex Leo Club (the
Leo club that provides the most support to Leader Dog). The club raised an additional $251 for Leader Dog this year by giving a paw print sticker to any MD 27-A-2 convention attendee that made a contribution.

What are some of your club goals?
Leo Alyssa: Our main goal as an entire club was to increase our membership numbers. We accomplished this goal in only a few years! We are now over 100 members strong and still growing. We met this goal by encouraging members to spread the word to their friends by inviting them to our meetings. I think it’s safe to say that after attending a meeting or two, most people start filling out an application.
Lion Greg: My primary goal is stewardship of our clubs. A healthy, active club can do more for their community today and in the future. The more helping hands available, the more work we can do. Our Lions club recently celebrated our 75th anniversary and it is important that it is still serving 75 years from now too!
Most prospective members state “to give back to their community” as their main reason for joining and Lions are very prominent in our community.
How do you choose the services you support?
Leo Alyssa: Every year a donation to LDB is included in our budget. I feel even closer to Leader Dog since last year’s district convention when our fundraiser was centered around the cause, helping us raise additional money. I also like how it fits the theme of supporting people with low vision that the Lions Club is so focused on supporting.

Where do you envision the Sussex Leo Club and yourself to be in ten years?
Leo Alyssa: In ten years, I envision the Sussex Leo Club to have almost twice as many members as we do today, with lots of the members joining the club at a younger age to increase our amount of experienced, committed members. I also envision us having even more events. After I graduate, I hope to become part of a Lioness Club and maybe even become a Leo Advisor!
What singular moment (big or small) has impressed you
the most since becoming a Lion/Leo?
Leo Alyssa: The most memorable moment I’ve experienced with the club was one Saturday morning when I signed up to move tables at the Sussex/Lisbon Historical Society. It was a simple job that didn’t require much help so my dad and I volunteered to do it ourselves. After a quick hour of helping move tables, Fred Keller (the owner) repeatedly thanked us, mentioning how much the Sussex Leo Club does for the community. About a week later, he sent me a thank you card noting the same thing. It made me feel very proud of us as a club.
Photo: Several teenagers stand in a room. One holds up a picture of a Future Leader Dog captioned “A group of Leos gather on a Friday night.”

Leader Dogs for the Blind 2015 Calendars
They are back and better than ever! The all-new 2015 Leader Dogs for the Blind calendars—chock full of adorable dogs!
Pick up your copy of the 12-month, full-color calendar at the front desk, online or in the gift shop for only $15 ($18 online includes shipping). Calendars make great gifts for friends and family. They feature page after page of puppy and adult dog pictures submitted by friends of Leader Dog—plus, a bonus collage page!
To order online, go to leaderdog.org/calendars
Leader Dogs for the Blind
1039 S. Rochester Road
Rochester Hills, MI 48307
Toll Free: 888/777.5332
Phone: 248/651.9011 leaderdog.org