Guide Dogs for the Blind Alumni Association Reunion & Conference September 12 – 14, 2008 Doubletree Hotel Lloyd Center Portland, Oregon Welcome, Guide Dogs for the Blind Alumni! Your Alumni Association Board of Directors welcomes all of you to Guide Dogs for the Blind’s Northwest campus and our 2nd Alumni Reunion Conference. It is hard to believe that it has been almost two years since our first Alumni Reunion Conference held in San Francisco. Again, we have planned an exciting program for you and your dogs to enjoy. Since the conception of the Alumni Association, just three years ago, we have already made strides towards uniting our graduates and enhancing our support for our alma mater. With great pride, anticipation and excitement, we all look forward to the future as we continue spreading the word about the guide dog life style and to the future development and evolution of GDB and the Alumni Association. Warmest Regards, Paul A. Walker Chairperson GDB Alumni Association Board of Directors In This Program Tribute to Michael Osborn .............................................................................................. 3 Transportation to the Doubletree Hotel ......................................................................... 4 Driving Directions .......................................................................................................... 4 Taxi and Shuttles from Airport ....................................................................................... 5 Via Public Transportation ............................................................................................... 5 Para-Transit Information ................................................................................................. 6 Tactile Map Project .......................................................................................................... 6 Schedule of Events ............................................................................................................ 7 Friday, September 12 ...................................................................................................... 7 Saturday, September 13 .................................................................................................. 9 Sunday, September 14 .................................................................................................. 13 Concurrent Sessions 1 ............................................................................................... 14 Concurrent Sessions 2 ............................................................................................... 15 Meet Our Guest Speakers! ............................................................................................. 16 Michele Pouliot, Director of Training Research and Development ............................. 16 Mark Ruefenacht, Founder, Dogs4Diabetics ................................................................ 17 G. Morgan Watkins ....................................................................................................... 18 Claire Zimmerman, Dog Placement Supervisor ........................................................... 18 Deborah Kendrick ......................................................................................................... 19 Thank You to Our Event Sponsors! .............................................................................. 22 Dimensions in Travel .................................................................................................... 22 Princess Cruises ............................................................................................................ 22 HumanWare .................................................................................................................. 23 Sendero Group LLC ...................................................................................................... 23 Dog House Wines ......................................................................................................... 23 Now’s The Time For You To Get Involved! ................................................................. 28 Alumni Association Officers .......................................................................................... 28 Tribute to Michael Osborn In December, we had the sad task of having to say goodbye to our fellow GDB graduate, Michael Osborn. Michael Osborn was our first Alumni Association Board Chair. He guided us through the inception of the Alumni Association. He was instrumental in creating and planning our first Alumni Reunion. The Alumni Association Board of Directors would like to honor his memory by dedicating this reunion to him. Through Michael’s efforts, guide dogs can now travel in the cabin with their blind handlers to the British Isles. Michael also served on the Orange County Friends Committee. His valuable connections in the wine industry contributed to the success of the “Support our Canine Heroes” Wine Gala. Michael was aware of his mortality. We are all fortunate that he chose to spend his precious remaining time working to support the mission of Guide Dogs for the Blind. Michael’s legacy will be with all of us for a very long time. For more information about his extraordinary life you can visit the website set up in his memory at www.huntercommunications.com/michaelcosborn Transportation to the Doubletree Hotel The Doubletree Lloyd Center is located at 1000 NE Multnomah, Portland OR 97232. Phone: 503 3314916. From Portland International Airport Note: There is a designated dog relief area at PDX right outside of baggage claim. Via Public Transportation provided by TriMet (503)238-7433, http://www.trimet.org – Call ahead as schedules and fares may change. Starting from (Airport MAX Station) Portland Int'l Airport MAX Station (Stop ID 10579). Board MAX Red Line to City Center & Beaverton TC Get off at Lloyd Center/NE 11th Ave MAX Station Walk 0.1 mile north to NE Multnomah & 11th (Stop ID 4044) Travel time: 27 minutes (including 3 minutes walking) Fares: Adult All Zone ($2.30), Youth/Student ($1.40) or Honored Citizen ($0.95) Where to buy Driving Directions Take 205 South to I-84 West, Take Exit 1 Lloyd Center. Turn right on NE 11th. Taxi and Shuttles from Airport The pickup area for taxis, town cars, and shuttle buses is located in the center section of the airport terminal's lower roadway on the baggage claim and departure level. Airport shuttles, off-airport rental car shuttles and reserved vehicles are found in the section of the lower roadway closest to the garage. Approximate taxi fare to the Doubletree Lloyd Center is $25 - $30. To find out more information about shuttles, go to the Portland International Airport website at www.flypdx.com . From Amtrak Via Public Transportation provided by TriMet - (503)238-7433, http://www.trimet.org Walk 0.10 mile west from Union Station Amtrak Depot (800 NW 6th Ave) to NW Broadway & Irving (Stop ID 625) Board 8 NE 15th Ave to Middlefield Rd to Jubitz Get off at NE Multnomah & 11th Walk northwest to NE Multnomah & 11th (Stop ID 4044) Travel time: 14 minutes (including 4 minutes walking) Fares: This trip is within Fareless Square, no fare is required. Para-Transit Information Call Lift Administration at (503) 802-8200 to set up eligibility and Fares for Lift are $1.80 each way. Tactile Map Project Two researchers from the University of Oregon, Dr. Amy Lobben and Megan Lawrence, from the Department of Geography will be attending the reunion conference to assist people in using a tactile map they created of the conference hotel and surrounding area. They will also have a table set up to highlight and test socio-economic tactile maps. The maps they are testing will help develop maps of the United States that will be posted online and available for free for everyone from students to those of you who want to know more about the world you live in. Please stop by and donate your time (only 30 minutes) to improve the geographic knowledge of persons with blindness and low vision. Map testing demos will be set up on the OR Campus after the luncheon and in the Exhibit Hall on Sunday. Schedule of Events Friday, September 12, 2008 9:00 am – 8:00 pm – Registration and Hotel Orientation Tactile Maps Provided by the University of Oregon, Geography Department. (Hotel Lobby) 10:00 am – 5:30 pm – Preview the products to be sold at the GDB Gift Shop on the Oregon campus. Pre-orders will expedite your shopping experience. (Hotel Lobby) 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Take a Techie Break- Explore the hotel and surrounding areas with HumanWare’s new GPS product, “Trekker Breeze”. Also learn more about the Victor Reader Stream, which will be on sale to Conference attending grads, only, for the reduced price of $150. *no sales tax in Oregon! Sign up for demos at the HumanWare table near registration. (Hotel Lobby) 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm - Welcome Reception Enjoy some delicious wine and tasty treats while you mingle with old GDB friends and make some new ones! (Hawthorne / Sellwood Room) Wine Sponsors – Dog House Wines and Paul and Lori Utz Night on the Town – Explore Portland and enjoy dinner on your own – walking directions to local restaurants are located at the registration table and online. 9:00 pm – 11:00pm – Hospitality Suite Open Saturday, September 13 7:00 am – 8:00 am - Breakfast (Holiday Room) 8:00 am – 10:00 am – General Session (Holiday Room) Guest and Staff Introductions – Theresa Duncan, Alumni Association Director Opening Comments - Paul Walker, Alumni Association Board Chair A Very Special Welcome - Nancy Gardner, CEO of Guide Dogs for the Blind Welcome to Oregon - Brad Hibbard, Director of Training, Pacific Northwest Campus Training and Graduate Services Updates – Admissions and Graduate Services. Charles Nathan, Director of Training, California Campus, Brian Francis, Manager of Admissions and Graduate Services, Brad Hibbard, Director of Training, Pacific Northwest Campus, Terry Barrett, Director of Training, Admissions and Graduate Services Outreach Update – Aerial Gilbert, Outreach Manager Tribute to the memory of fellow GDB Alumni, Michael Osborn - Jacquelyn Biete - Michael’s Sister “Guide Dogs for the Blind brings the excitement to Boring!” 10:00am – 10:45am – Board Buses You won’t be “board” on your way to Boring! Learn more about the talking GPS from the Sendero Group as they demonstrate their innovative GPS products while traveling to the Oregon campus. (Banquet Area Lobby) Buses sponsored by The Sendero Group 11:30 – 1:00pm –“Oregon Trail Mix and More” GDB Pacific Northwest Luncheon Keynote – “Evolution or Innovation, a 35 year Perspective”, Michele Pouliot, Director of Research and Development, GDB – Picnic Area 1:00 – 2:30 “Options of Interests” Special Presentation-“A Day in the Life of a Career Change Dog”, presented by Claire Zimmerman, Dog Placement Supervisor – Visitor’s Center Tours- Come take a tour around the campus with a Guide Dog Instructor Shopping- Visit the GDB Gift Shop. – Visitor’s Center Pickup your pre- ordered items and make new purchases. Tactile Map Project – Visitors Center Lobby 2:30 – 3:00 – Tree Planting Ceremony- Outside Administration Building As a tribute to Michael Osborn, the 2008 Alumni Reunion will plant a Dogwood tree. Deborah Kendrick, Alumni Association Board Member and Freelance Writer, will read her special poem. 3:00pm – 4:00pm – Busses Return to the Doubletree Hotel 3:30pm – 5:00pm Hospitality Suite Open 6:00pm – 11:00pm Reunion Gala Banquet and Dance. (Holiday / Multnomah Rooms) Gala Sponsored by Princess Cruises Master of Ceremonies - Morgan Watkins, 1st Vice Chair of GDB Board of Directors and alumnus. Awards Presentation- Danny Leung, Alumni Board Member and Committee Chair assists in the salute to alumni and staff who have made a difference. The Most Treasured Award – for extraordinary efforts towards developing new partnerships to support the future of Guide Dogs for the Blind The Forward Award - For Extraordinary Leadership in Promoting the Guide Dog Lifestyle The Blondie Award – Named in honor of our first Guide dog and given to a volunteer who has demonstrated selfless, enthusiastic service to GDB. The Laurie Shepherd Award – Named in honor of GDB Alumna Laurie Shepherd who worked tirelessly on behalf of the access rights of Guide Dogs and their handlers. Awarded to a member of the GDB community who has shown excellence in advocacy. The Sue Sullivan Superior Staff Award – Given in appreciation to a GDB staff member who has made extraordinary contributions to the GDB community. The Lifetime Achievement Award – Given to recognize and honor the achievements of a lifetime dedicated to Guide Dogs, their handlers, and the blind. 8:00pm – 11:00pm – Party down with Your Pooch! (Holiday / Multnomah) Celebrate like you are aboard a Princess Cruise! Dance the night away to all your favorite hits played for you by The Aussie DJ! 9:00pm – 11:00pm – Hospitality Suite Open Sunday, September 14 7:00am – 8:00am - Breakfast (Holiday Room) 8:00am – General Session (Holiday Room) Keynote - Dogs 4 Diabetics - Mark Ruefenacht GDB Puppy Raising Leader and Founder of Dogs4Diabetics. “Speaking of Guide Dogs… How You Can Spread the Word about GDB using the GDB Speaker’s Bureau, Bob Sonnenberg, Assistant Director of Planned Giving Sponsor and Exhibitor Spotlight – Find out about the great products and services offered by our conference sponsors and exhibitors. 9:00am – 2:00pm Exhibitors Expo! (Holiday Room) HumanWare Sendero Group, LLC Dimensions in Travel Princess Cruise Lines The School of Piano Technology for the Blind Crafts by Loraine Foster University of Oregon, Geography Department Tactile Map Project And More... Concurrent Sessions 1 9:00am - 10:00am “PLAYING DOCTOR” First Aid for Your Dog presented by Dr. Craig Dietrich DVM, GDB Senior Veterinarian (Sellwood Room) “LAWS and PAWS” Fighting the Good Fight presented by Alumni Association Board Members, Roxanne Calibraro, Paul Walker, Judy Mathews, Valerie Sandler, and Sally Mayo (Broadway Room) “LEASHING YOUR LIBRARY” An Intro to the Victor Reader Stream presented by Deborah Kendrick, Alumni Association Board Member and Michael Hingson, President, The Michael Hingson Group. (Halsey Room) “Personalizing Your Pup” Custom Training Your Guide Dog presented by Emily Simone, COMS, Senior Field Manager (Weidler Room) “The Power of Partnerships” SIGNIFICANT OTHERS ROUNDTABLE” Is the presence of a new Guide Dog a third wheel or part of the family? Facilitator, Kim Samco, LC, Guide Dog Alumni and GDB Counseling Specialist (Hospitality Suite) Concurrent Sessions 2 10:15am - 11:15am Same as Session 1 11:15am – 12 Noon – Visit Exhibits, Relieve your dog and grab a lunch- no host. 12:00am - 1:00pm Enjoy your grab and go lunch and join us for Table Topics (Holiday Room) Graduate and Puppy Raiser Forum Guide Dog User Travel Tips Fundraising and Outreach “How We Can Help” 1:00pm – 2:00pm – Last Chance to Visit the Exhibits! (Holiday Room) Meet Our Guest Speakers! Michele Pouliot, Director of Training Research and Development, Guide Dogs for the Blind Over the past 35 years, Michele Poiliot has made a difference at Guide Dogs for the Blind. In 1977, Michele achieved her Guide Dog Mobility Instructor qualification and has held positions as Apprentice Supervisor, Class Supervisor, Training Supervisor and Director of Training over her career. In 1994, Michele was assigned to the position of Director of Training at the new Oregon campus, where she established new dog training and student training programs. At that time, she was also responsible for all training “Standards and Techniques” at both campuses, to ensure consistency in both campus programs. Her professional history in equestrian training and her love of dogs led her on the path which would forever change her life and the lives of so many others, the graduates of Guide Dogs for the Blind. Since 2000, Michele has served as an international guide dog School Assessor for the International Guide Dog Federation. She has completed assessments on guide dog schools in Norway, Austria, Czech Republic, France, Japan and Great Britain. In 2001, Michele was appointed to a new position of Research and Development for student and dog programs at GDB. Her position focuses on developing and researching new techniques to improve all areas of client instruction, dog-training programs, and puppy development. Michele is active with hobbies in horse and dog sport training, forever fascinated with learning more about training from the animals themselves. Mark Ruefenacht, Founder, Dogs4Diabetics Mark Ruefenacht is a native of the San Francisco Bay Area. Professionally, Mark is an expert in Forensic Metrology, and travels throughout the United States working and teaching in various forensic laboratories. Mark’s passion in life is working with dogs. He has been a Guide Dog puppy raising leader for over 10 years. Mark is an insulin-dependent diabetic, with a family history of blindness on his father’s side due to Diabetic Retinopathy. His mother’s family also has a history of blindness due to Advanced Macular Degeneration. After many years of research and with this strong motivation to help others, Mark founded the Dogs4Diabetics program in 2004. Dogs4Diabetics has been recognized internationally for their unique and innovative work in both assistance dog training and improving the health and lives of Type 1 diabetics. Mark enjoys life with his three Labrador Retrievers. His yellow Labrador retriever medical assistance dog, Armstrong, accompanies him today. G. Morgan Watkins, First Vice Chair, Guide Dogs for the Blind Board of Directors Morgan Watkins is First Vice Chair on the Guide Dogs Board of Directors, a GDB alumnus, and the proud partner of Will, a dark red golden retriever. Morgan recently retired from the University of Texas at Austin after thirty years where he was a programmer, analyst, manager, and finally the Director of computer support operations. Morgan lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, Dee Dee, and their son, Richard. Will's lady friend, Ethel, a pet golden retriever, is another member of the Watkins family. Since his retirement, Morgan has become a very active Guide Dogs volunteer. Claire Zimmerman, Dog Placement Supervisor, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Pacific Northwest Campus Claire Zimmerman started volunteering for GDB in the fall of 1996. One year later, she was hired as the Dog Placement Supervisor in Oregon. Prior to her employment with GDB, she served as the Assistant Manager of Adoptions at the Oregon Humane Society. Claire is married and living with two teenagers and her two four- legged kids, a German Shepherd Dog and a Corgi. She has enjoyed competing with her Corgi in Agility, which earned him his Novice and Open titles. Claire says she loves working at GDB and finding wonderful homes for the career change dogs and retired guides! Deborah Kendrick Deborah Kendrick is an award-winning writer and advocate for people with disabilities. Her weekly newspaper column covering disability issues was launched by the Cincinnati Enquirer in 1986 and syndicated by King Features in 2000. It has won numerous awards from both journalist and advocacy organizations including the Society for Professional Journalists, Association of Women Communicators, Cincinnati Editors Association, National Easter Seal Society EDI Awards, AFB Access Award, Maurice McCracken Peace and Justice Award, American Occupational Therapists Association, the Inclusion Network Lifetime Achievement Award, and many others. In 1985, Deborah founded and edited TACTIC, an international quarterly on assistive technology, and continued to edit that award-winning magazine through 1999. Since 2000, she has served as senior features editor for AccessWorld, authoring dozens of product evaluations, conference reports, and features profiling companies and leaders within the assistive technology field. Her features, editorials, reviews, and profiles have appeared in dozens of national and regional publications including Woman’s Day, Parenting, Dialogue, Executive Lifestyles, Ohio Magazine, St. Anthony Messenger, and many others. She developed a series of books focusing on careers held by people with disabilities, published by FB Press, and her poetry appears in two anthologies. Deborah is a frequent keynote speaker on accessibility, technology, and other disability related topics. She co-founded the In Touch with Ourselves workshops with clinical psychologist Michael Lichstein, Ph.D., a series of interactive seminars addressing the integration of disability into relationships, the workplace, and other settings. She has served on numerous regional and national boards addressing the needs of people with disabilities, and been appointed by three governors to ten years of positions on disability policy-making councils. She was invited to the White House for the 1990 ceremonial signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act and on its anniversary date several subsequent years. Thank You to Our Event Sponsors! DIMENSIONS IN TRAVEL & PRINCESS CRUISES They are delighted to be sponsors of the 2008 Guide Dogs for the Blind Alumni Reunion. They love to make your travel dreams come true. Dimensions in Travel has provided Guide Dogs for the Blind with travel arrangements for the past 18 years. Their consultants specialize in serving guide dog teams and visually impaired travelers. Let them arrange your next family reunion, romantic getaway, special birthday adventure or dog-friendly vacation. Contact Dimensions in Travel at 800-828-2962. Princess Cruises offers deluxe, yet value-priced cruises, that allow you to escape around the world. They have donated cruises to our galas for the past three years and their Access Department is one of the best in the cruise industry in arranging for special needs (like a relieving box on your balcony!). Book your next Princess cruise of $1,000 or more, mention Guide Dogs for the Blind and Dimensions in Travel will donate $25 to our organization. HumanWare HumanWare is the global leader in assistive technologies for vision. HumanWare provides products to the blind, people with low vision and students with learning disabilities. HumanWare’s many innovative products include BrailleNote, the leading productivity device for blind people in education, in business and in their personal lives; the Victor Reader product line, the world’s leading digital talking book players, and SmartView Xtend, the first fully modular and upgradeable CCTV-based video magnifier. Sendero Group LLC Sendero produces GPS for the BrailleNote products as well as distributing the BrailleNote, VoiceNote, Miniguide, i.d. Mate, Nuance Talks and Tissot Silen-T watch. Dog House Wines Dog House Wines (www.doghousewine.com) is a fun, engaging wine brand reaching out to consumers, pet owners and dog lovers alike. Dog House leads the "pack" in their support for Guide Dogs by utilizing a creative approach in its marketing efforts to build awareness and donations across the country. Dog House Wines donates 50 cents of every bottle sold of its Charlie's Chardonnay, Maxie's Merlot, Checkers' Cabernet, Patches' Pinot Grigio, and Zeke's Zin wines. Purchase the wines at their website or in stores nationwide, including: Safeway, Cost Plus, Albertsons, Ralphs, Raleys, Fred Meyer, QFC, Whole Foods, Harris Teeter and Meijer. Buy Dog House Wines Support Guide Dogs for the Blind!! Thank You Also To: Paul and Lory Utz for their generous donation of a case of wine for our reception Focus 4 – for providing our backpacks at a steep discount! Backpack Goodies! Thank you to Dimensions in Travel for being our Backpacks Sponsors! Jelly Belly Assorted Flavors Pack Agilite Plasic Dog Bowl Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food Cedarbrook Lavender- sachets Henry and Sons Dog Cookies GDB Holiday Cards Door Prize Donors! HumanWare – 3 Victor Reader Streams Valla Vista Corp - Labrador Wallet Baja Fresh See’s Candy Suckers - D.C. Metals Inc. Susi Cherry – Cozy Dog Blanket and various Other Goodies! A VERY SPECIAL THANKS to the following GDB staff and volunteers for their assistance with this event: Jay Harris- Special Events Committee Chair The Special Events Committee consisting of all members of the Alumni Association Board, and Vickie Kennedy, Susi Cherry, Sherry Gomes, and Cindy Detro. Susi Cherry for organizing registration, securing door prizes and goodie bags, program editing etc. Debbie Hibbard and Malinda Carlson for being our “Oregon Right Paws” Lori Brown for helping with the hotel search Sarah Hopkins for extraordinary administrative support Bruce Alert and his team for building the dog relief area Lori Mogan and Vickie Kennedy for procuring wine and dog food donations Morry Angell for the cover art Sierra Fish for the fabulous photography Pat Glines for organizing event staffing Michelle Davis and Denise St. Jean for handling PR Dr. Amy Lobben and Megan Lawrence for the tactile maps Emily Simone, Michael Hingson, Craig Dietrich, Michele Pouliot, Terry Barrett, Charles Nathan, Brian Francis, Nancy Gardner, Brad Hibbard, Kim Samco, Claire Zimmerman, Mark Ruefenacht, Jaquelynn Bieter, for providing workshops and presentations. The Oregon staff and volunteers for helping with everything from party primping to poop patrol! Now Is The Time For You To Get Involved! If you would like to get involved in the Alumni Association, please contact Theresa Duncan, Alumni Association Director, tduncan@guidedogs.com or call (800) 295-4050. You may also contact any of the Alumni Association Board members listed below. Alumni Association OFFICERS Chair: Paul Walker - “Hero” Bexely, OH 614-231-8001 (Home) pwalker@guidedogs.com Vice chair: Sally Mayo - “Mandarin” Yakima, WA 509-949-7034 (Mobile) smayo@guidedogs.com Secretary: Jennifer McEachen - “Nixon” Prince George, BC 250-962-0008 250 640 0504 jenandnixon@gmail.com Guide Dogs for the Blind Alumni Association Board Membership Roxanne Calibraro - “Carnation” Arlington Heights, IL 847-255-2217 (Home) 847-828-0353 (Mobile) rcalibraro@guidedogs.com Valerie Sandler-“Quentin” Sayville, NY 617/ 840-2896 vsandler@guidedogs.com Jay Harris - “Tula” Chico, CA 530-680-5327 (Mobile) jharris@guidedogs.com Deborah Kendrick - “Tuscan” Cincinnati, OH 513-321-2228 (Home) 513-673-4474 (Mobile) dkendrick@guidedogs.com Danny Leung - “Saralee” Toronto, Ontario, Canada 416-725-3269 (Home) dleung@guidedogs.com Shelley Rhodes - “Guinevere” Corry, PA 814-323-3533 (Mobile) srhodes@guidedogs.com Jeffrey C. Senge - “Hobbit” San Clemente, CA 949-492-8249 (Home) jsenge@guidedogs.com Morgan Watkins - “Will” Austin, TX 512-468-8972 morgan@watkins.net Judy Mathews- “Sachet” Orlando, FL 407-737-7537 jmathews@guidedogs.com GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND, INC. P.O. BOX 151200 SAN RAFAEL, CA 94915 (415) 499-4000 32901 SE KELSO ROAD BORING, OR 97009 (503) 668-2100 Toll Free (800) 295-4050 www.guidedogs.com