Leader Dog Update

82 Pages·2002·14.7 MB·English

Digitized by the Internet Archive
2013
in
http://archive.org/details/leaderdogupdate200203unse

I
SUMMER 2002
LEADING THE WAY TO GREATER INDEPENDENCE
On April 27th Leader Dogs for the Blind held a brush up on their orientation and mobility prior to
the ceremonial ground breaking for the obtaining a Leader Dog.
largest improvement since its inception in The ground breaking itselfwitnessed thejoining of
many forces credited with bringing about the existence
1939. The Polk Residence and Training Center will not
ofa dream. Stephen and Bobbi Polk, along with three
only provide private rooms to the students during their 25
day stay it will also house new programs in the future of oftheir children, were the first to turn over dirt in
Leader Dog. Many ofthe details ofthe new facility have appreciation ofthe family's large gift toward the facility
and long term involvement in Leader Dog. Fred Yaffe,
been highlighted in past issues ofthe Update. To revisit a
Tom McNulty and Lon Grossman, to name a few, were
few: the residence will offer separate space for a computer
there to represent the Board ofTrustees who have
lab, an exercise room, and a lecturelooim The students
supported and carried the project through to see the day
and their dogs will enjoy private time jri.individual rooms
which will improve the overall bonding experience, plus it would break ground. Other groups represented at the
historic moment were: puppy counselors - ambassadors
simulate an environment closer to that ofhpme.
ofraisers who sponsored room number one in the
Additionally, facilities will accommodate space to facility; major donors who have been instrumental
expand the current services available to the deaf/blind in obtaining funding necessary to realize such a
community, and as the future evolves, also allow for monumental accomplishment; and Lions club members,
programs such as vocational training to be explored and like PID LarryYoung, who proudly shared a few words
implemented to assist the blind community in searching with some 160 onlookersjust prior to the start ofthe
for and securing employment. ground breaking. PID Young was also the leader ofthe
Earlier this year, the remedial O&M course was piloted. sapsesciisatleldyLfeoardmeerdDgorgoiunpoorfgDainsitzriinctgCaoloarrdgienaatmoorusnwthoof
This vital and important part ofLeader Dog's future will
Michigan Lions
continue to take shape as the building is erected. The ^*
support surrounding
course can be
this project. This
offered to those
special group,
individuals who
consisting of
are in need of
PDGs and
PIDs, was
also on hand
to share in the
culmination of
efforts.
Conclusion on
Page2
PicturedL toR: Bill
Hansen, CaroleHansen,
FredYaffe, BobbiPolk,
Leading Into StephenPolk.
The Future
inside: Noise Phobia • Overweight Issues • Where did that one come from?
Building our
Future
In the last Update issue, became the breeding and class schedules,
I addressed change and puppy kennels. which provided us the
reflected on the impact it opportunity to test
Each ofthese represented
has on others, and their integrating Orientation
physical growth ofthe
reaction to it. On April 27th and Mobility brush
, facility that allowed us to
as is reported on the cover up training. The
educate more blind people
of this issue, we began results exceeded our
in the use ofLeader Dogs.
one ofthe most important expectations. Over
For the first time, a ground
changes in the history of the coming months,
Leader Dogs for the Blind. breaking event will provide we will continue to
We call it Leading Into The the opportunity for a refine this approach as
Future. mseormviecnetsowuespcrhoavnigdee itno tohuer we incorporate it into our Bill Hansen, LeaderDogPresident
total training curriculum.
It is not the first time we students and graduates. Our focus in the coming Our changes will allow
have built new buildings.
The core program will year will be to further us to assist the visually
Indeed the present
remain the training of develop our services and impaired from a holistic
dormitory grew in stages Leader Dogs and the instructional program as we approach, marrying guide
beginning with the 1924 education ofblind people complete construction on work, O & M training,
farmhouse purchased by
with the Leader Dog. our new facility. future possibilities in
our three Lions founders in
Leading Into The Future vocational assistance, and
f1o9l3l9o.wTedhean1d95t4heanddwietion is totally "client focused" AcshaInhgaeviessgaoiodd.inCihsasunegsepahsats, a more complete program
and enhances our ability to aid the deaf/blind
added the 1969 and 1975 to better meet the needs of certainly been a friend to community. We will be
additions, culminating Leader Dog and with the
those to whom we provide serving students as a whole
in the new food services our services. It melds new phases ofour program and offering the many skills
department in the early beginning to take shape,
Orientation and Mobility needed to function in the
80's. training into our present this change is no exception. sighted world here, on one
This transformation will
The kennel complex started program and allows a site, at Leader Dogs for the
be the start ofa new
with a barn and a shed that student to achieve many Blind,•**•
philosophy at Leader Dog.
were replaced by a 1947 different disciplines at one We will always continue
kennel, and then the 1969, location-an opportunity
to breed and train the best
1982 and 1992 additions. that has not previously
dogs for Leader Dog work
The '47 kennel was torn existed in the U.S.
and offer stellar instruction
down to make room for the This year we realigned on how to use the highly
1992 addition and at that
our present Leader Dog trained canines.
same time, the 1969 kennel
Leading Into The Future (Cont'd)
As many supporters (photo at right) gathered under
the tent erected to ward offimpending rain, the energy
and excitement oozed through the crowd. This moment
was four years in the making. Now with the first shovels
ofdirt moved, the structure itselfis expected to take
approximately 18 months to complete. There is little
question that the energy and enthusiasm will be matched
on that final and spectacular day when the Polk Residence
and Training Center opens. Leader Dog is happy to have
had the opportunity to involve so many people who
have supported this great effort and looks forward to the
day the project becomes complete, the dreams ofmany
realized, and the results put into active motion. •»•
.
CM
General Motors + Leader Dog =
volunteer Plu$
Being located in Michigan current GM Board member us that incorporates up the GM Foundation. Our
has many benefits, not to volunteer their time on to 9 more GM employees. goal is to have enough
the least ofwhich, is our behalfand then apply Your group could also apply volunteers together donate
our proximity to and for a $250 grant from the for a grant of $250.00, enough to pay for the
partnerships with, the GM Foundation. effectively doubling your cost ofone Leader Dog
automotive companies, donation! What a great way team, about $25,000 or
The donated service may be
their suppliers and to support Leader Dog! 100 people participating.
automotive related performed as follows: Together, we can do
Leader Dog receives many
businesses. Many • 50 hours in a year, this! Your volunteer
volunteer forms each year
companies, like General performed by an hours can help a visually
to process for the $250
Motors, Delphi, Visteon, individual employee on a GM impaired person receive
grant from employees.
tMournraamy'esaDifeswc,ouhnatveAuttaokeannd single project, We think this is a wonderful imonbdielpietyn!de•n#•ce and
an interest in Leader Dog • A series ofactivities that way to support Leader
totals 50 hours a year, Dog and ask that each of
and support us through a
our readers think oftheir
variety ofefforts. • A team project with a
friends, family, neighbors
We focus this article on a combined contribution of and co-workers who may
50 hours (10 employees
program sponsored by our also be eligible to apply for
maximum)
friends at General Motors this grant and help support
GM
and the Volunteer Plu$ Each eligible employee Leader Dogs for the Blind.
program. can apply for a maximum GM
Ifyou are a employee
ofone individual grant of
This program allows any or family member,
GM $250.00 and participate in
U. S. based employee contact Phil Ogle
to designate a regular one team application for at Leader Dog
active employee, an active $250.00, per calendar year. for ways you
permanent part-time The team concept is one can volunteer
salaried employee, an that we believe has great to help Leader
active hourly employee, potential! Imagine being a Dog and also
active flexible service GM employee and friend of make a grant
salaried employee, a co- Leader Dog and then doing of $250.00
GM
op student of or any an event or fund-raiser for to us through
Leading into The Future
Members ofthe 2001-2002 Sitting Council ofGovernors: Members ofthe 2002-2003 Incoming Council ofGovernors.
L-RDGPeggyFarnsworth, DG Bob Jenkins, DG Tom Doyle, L-R LeaderDog President Bill Hansen, DGE Stan Preshaw,
DGBarbara Morgan, DGAl Ekola, LeaderDogPresident Bill DGEJim Walls, DGE Bob Loper, DGE Vicki Ruiz, DGE
Hansen (back row Stephen and Bobbi Polk) Howard Davis
Welcome
Northern U
Illinois
Crosswalk
Rod Haneline
I would like to take the opportunity to
welcome Northern Illinois University to our
O&M
University program. Jodi Sticken and
Jim Carey accompanied six students from
the O&M program for two days at the Leader
Dog campus. The program centers around
preparation ofstudents for dog guides and
methods to assist those who have dogs. They
have indicated they will be regulars in the program. We were also host
for a group of O&M instructors from the Tampa area. They attended our
professional seminar and had the added treat ofattending the ground Above Left: LeaderDogInstructor and
breaking for the Polk Residence and Training Center. We look forward to O&MProfessional Becky Derocha with
North Carolina and South Carolina in May with an additional professional NIL!student. Above Right: Tampa area
O&M
seminar as well. Until next time take care and be aware. Instructors.
•"5J*
The Long and Winding Road
The ability to select a good dogs roaming the area? Is have not worked their minimum. Consider looking
route is an important part it a high crime area? Are area as extensively as for alternate routes or "back
oftraveling safely with a you traveling in an area they once had due to their up" routes in case your
guide. It isn't always the where you could be putting previous dog's advanced primary route undergoes
shortest distance between yourselfat risk ofcriminal age. When they start up change. With the warm
two points. Several factors activity? (This may be a with a new dog they count weather upon us, travel
should be considered before short cut around the back on their old routes to be may become more frequent
selecting and utilizing of stores, through over there. Occasionally they and routes longer. Be sure
a route. Here are some grown lots, long routes in are "surprised" by radical ofyour environment to get
questions you may ask areas where there are no changes in the area. the most out ofit. •••
yourselfin evaluating your houses or open businesses). Conditions can change in a
routes. Which route gives you the relatively short time. Stores
best auditory clues? and new neighborhoods
First and foremost, is it seem to pop up almost over
safe? What are the traffic All ofthis should be night. Road construction
conditions? Heavy? Light? considered in selecting appears to be going on
Are the traffic patterns a route. One ofthe best everywhere. Sometimes
subject to change with the ways to preview routeOs&isM these changes may make a
hours ofday or due tojob with the help ofyour route that was passable, no
and school schedules? If instructor or other sighted longer safe. On the other
help. Sometimes there are
there are street crossings, hand the addition ofa new
is there adequate traffic conditions that are not sidewalk or walking path
control, traffic lights or stop easily detectable, such as may offer previously unsafe
signs? What kinds ofcurbs crime statistics or loose dog areas accessibility.
are there? Are they easily information. A call to the
detected? What condition local police or discussions Be aware ofthe changes in
are the sidewalks or streets with neighbors who use the your area; contact local
in? Is there broken glass routes may help give more city offices or road
or rotten food around to insight to these conditions. commissions to
hurt your dog? Are they While working with find out about
wkielpltppoaosrsawbelaet?hWehrahtaveeffoecnts gsirtaudautaitoensofItfeinndctohmaetsthuep ninetwhecoanrsetar.ucBteiionng
the route i.e. snow and where a grad has recently informed insures
the lack ofits removal? retired a dog and is starting that "surprises"
Is there a history ofloose out with a new dog. They are kept to a
_i