Fidelcows ne · puppy raisers and supported by Fidelco’s talented, professional trainers – become incredible guide dog partners. Gradually, our clients’ first, small steps with

Partners in ExceptionalSM Fidelco.org/donate <#>

in this issue

the power of partnerships

the “art” of training

7th annual ride for independence

open house

dog days of suMMer children’s prograM

Fidelconewsfidelco guide dog foundation

spring 2017

There’s nothing more optimistic

or hopeful than seeing our

clients pick up the harness

handle and enthusiastically

conquer the roads ahead

with their Fidelco guide dog

partners. Whether first-time

clients, or successors, these

exceptionally courageous men

and women have made a life-changing decision to

entrust Fidelco with their safety.

Only with the compassionate support of Fidelco’s

donors – you – are we able to create these enduring

partnerships that overcome many obstacles and

challenges in a world that presumes everyone has

the gift of sight. We are grateful and humbled by

your trust.

This issue of FidelcoNews embraces the theme of

optimism and progress we see every day. It also

shares the deliberate and persevering work that’s

required to transforms lives.

Step by step, energetic puppies – encouraged

with tremendous amounts of love from volunteer

puppy raisers and supported by Fidelco’s talented,

professional trainers – become incredible guide dog

partners. Gradually, our clients’ first, small steps with

their new guide dog partners become confident

strides on their journey to improve their lives and the

world around them.

Thank you for supporting uninterrupted hope for our

clients. Thank you for being an exceptional partner.

FidelcoNews Spring 2017

1. THE “ART” OF TRAINING

2. THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS

4. VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

5. SPRING INTO ACTION

6. A NEW LOOK ON THE ROAD

8. 7TH ANNUAL RIDE FOR INDEPENDENCE

9. OPEN HOUSE AND DOG DAYS OF SUMMER CHILDREN’S PROGRAM

Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc.

Eliot D. RussmanPresident & Chief Executive Officer

www.fidelco.org

FidelcoNews Spring 2017

In this issue

103 Vision WayBloomfield, CT 06002860.243.5200

27 Cannon Rd.Wilton, CT 06897203.529.8201

Enduring Optimism

©2017 Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc.

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.”

Helen Keller

Why did you choose to pursue

this career?

I have always been deeply

fascinated by animals and

animal behavior. I was interested

in adopting a “career change”

German Shepherd from Fidelco.

While adopting my beautiful

dog, “Sadie,” I learned about the

Apprentice Guide Dog Trainer

Program and eagerly applied.

What do you love the most

about your job?

I love working with both dogs

and people; I enjoy helping

guide dog teams become

independent travelers and feel

very lucky to have the support

of my co-workers along the

way. My favorite part of the job

is utilizing problem-solving

skills to resolve unique situations

presented with training the

dogs and teaching a new guide

dog team.

What is the most difficult part

about your job?

There are challenges that come

with working in extreme weather

conditions and the significant

time spent away from family and

friends when traveling.

For me, however, the most

difficult part of the job is also

my favorite; the unique and

challenging situations that

come with training and placing

German Shepherd guide dogs

with our exceptional clients –

each person and dog is unique

in their own way.

Partners in ExceptionalSM Fidelco.org/donate 1

The “Art” of TrainingChris Eastwood, Trainer/Instructor

Fidelco’s three-year, Apprentice Guide Dog Trainer Education Program is based on criteria established by the International Guide Dog Federation. Apprentices receive the essential tools to create life-saving working relationships between our exceptional clients and our elite German Shepherd guide dogs.

Chris works on street crossings with a guide dog in training.

Chris is also a

talented artist and

paints the colorful

murals on Fidelco’s

kennel walls.

To sponsor a

custom-designed

mural, contact

Susan Greer at

860.243.4043 or

[email protected].

“My guide dog, ‘Legend,’ is a

godsend. He has changed my

life in more ways than I ever

thought he would. He’s happy

and he loves me and gives me

something to care for. On top of

all that, he helps me walk down

the street,” shares Retired Air

Force TSgt and Fidelco client

Matt Slaydon. This sense of joy

– this hope for the future – that

has been inspired by Legend

is not something Matt takes for

granted for a single moment.

Nearly 10 years ago, while

serving as the point person for

an Explosive Ordinance Disposal

Team (EOD) in Kirkuk, Iraq, Matt

was severely injured by an

improvised explosive device

(IED) that detonated two feet

away from his face, throwing him

almost 30 feet from the blast

site. His arm required immediate

amputation, his face was

shattered, and he was suddenly

and completely blind.

The next chapter was

exceedingly difficult. Completing

three tours of duty during

Operation Iraqi Freedom and

disarming over 100 IEDs paled

in comparison to the physical

and spiritual adversity Matt

faced as he tried to cope with a

new normal. With the support

of his wife, Annette, Matt slowly

began to reclaim what had been

lost that fateful October day.

Partnering with Legend was the

next step in Matt’s recovery and

the team has been flourishing

ever since. He reflects, “Legend

was the magnificent tool in my

tool box that helped me get

where I needed to go.”

2 FidelcoNews Spring 2017

The Power of PartnershipsOur clients share a common goal—to experience life to the fullest. Their partnerships with our exceptional guide dogs make independence, safe travel, and social connection an enduring reality.

Retired U.S. Air Force TSgt Matt Slaydon with Legend.

Meet and thank Matt personally

on Sunday, July 23rd at

Fidelco’s 7th Annual Ride for

Independence motorcycle

fundraiser where he will serve

as a grand marshal.


Matt says that the support of his wife, Annette, and partnering with Legend were crucial pieces to his recovery.


Volunteer Spotlight: Heather & Michaela PerryHeather Perry became a dedicated Fidelco

Volunteer Puppy Raiser for precious “Grayson” in

the early 90’s. She remembers being blessed with

Grayson’s presence

for a couple of

months longer than

usual since Fidelco

was just finishing

construction on the

new kennel and

needed the space

for this litter of dogs

to come back for

formal guide dog

training. She loved

every aspect of

working with Fidelco.

“I was a volunteer,

but never felt like

an outsider. I was

treated like part of the Fidelco family, even though

I was only there a few hours each month.”

Michaela, Heather’s

daughter, would

hear her mother

reminisce about

her time at Fidelco,

and as a dog lover

herself, committed

to becoming a Fidelco

volunteer. Michaela is

now a valued member

of Fidelco’s volunteer

community just like

her mother. Heather

says, “[It] makes me

very proud that

she is following in

my footsteps.”THEN: Heather on the day she brought Grayson home.

THEN: Heather walking a dog at the Fidelco kennel.

Become part of Fidelco’s community of volunteer puppy raisers today! An online application is available at fidelco.org.

Donald Hannigan, 12/25/2016

Don, along with his

wife, Rita, raised 19

puppies for Fidelco.

In addition, they were

caregivers for a breed

dog and a retired guide.

Many of the Hannigan’s

pups were named

for artists – including

“Faulkner,” “Chaucer,”

“Rembrandt” and “Wyeth.”

We are grateful to Don for his many years of

volunteer service.

William “Bill” Mackie, 1/5/2017

Bill and his wife Jeannie

raised six Fidelco pups

from 2010-2016.

They truly enjoyed

socializing the puppies

and felt fortunate to see

their pups become guide

dogs, doing their job

helping clients live more

independent lives.

Steven “Steve” Pflederer, 1/29/2017

Steve and his wife, Susan,

raised H-25 puppy “Hero.”

The friendships that

developed between the

H-25 litter’s puppy raisers

inspire us every day.

Along with his fellow

puppy raisers, Steve

helped organize several

very successful “Yappy

Hour” Fidelco fundraisers.


In MemoriamLife-changing gift ideas for every season

Getting a tax

refund? This is the

perfect opportunity

for you to make

that special gift to

Fidelco.

Over age of 70½?

Make an IRA

Charitable Rollover

gift! Contact your

IRA Trustee and

ask them to send a

gift from your IRA

account directly to

Fidelco. Your gift

can help satisfy

your Required Minimum Distribution for 2017 and

will help Fidelco create more life-changing guide

dog partnerships.

Beneficiary Designations: Did you know you

can name Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation as the

beneficiary of an IRA, 401(k), or life insurance

policy? It is easy to do and will provide a wonderful

gift to Fidelco in the future.

Estate Planning: Wills can become outdated,

particularly if there has been a significant change

in your life. When reviewing your documents,

consider naming Fidelco as a recipient of a specific

or residuary bequest from your estate. Your estate

planning today means that Fidelco can continue to

deliver its life-changing mission of partnering men

and women who are blind with its elite German

Shepherd guide dogs.

For more information on these gift options, please

contact Susan Greer, Development Director, at

860.243.4043 or [email protected].

Spring into Action


A New Look on the RoadFidelco is grateful for the commitment of our

exceptional partners. Suburban Subaru of Vernon,

CT recently donated two Subaru Outbacks to

Fidelco’s fleet. Thank you for “Sharing the Love!”

The Killingworth, New Haven, and Woodbury

CT Lions Clubs each raised $10,000 to match

a $30,000 grant from Lions Club International

Foundation (LCIF) to purchase two vans for Fidelco.


FOR ALL OF YOUR EYE CARE NEEDS

middlesexeye.com

Comprehensive eye exams • Cataract Surgery • Glaucoma • Lasik • Dry Eye • Macular Degeneration •

Cosmetic Services • Optical Shop

400 Saybrook Road, St 100 Middletown, CT 06457 860.347.7466

4 Grove Beach Road, North, St B Westbrook, CT 06498 860.669.5305


7th Annual Motorcycle RIDE FOR INDEPENDENCESunday, July 23rd

Aetna

Black-Eyed Sally’s

Gengras Harley-Davidson

Hoffman Auto Group

Hartford Courant

Hartford Distributors, Inc.

Hartford Steam Boiler

iHeartMedia Communities

Neligon’s Auto Care Center

Powerstation Events

SpaceFitters, LLC

Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC

Turnpike Motors Autobody

THANkS TO ALL PATRIOT, GOLD, CHROME, STEEL, AND MEDIA SPONSORS:


OPEN HOUSE& Lions Club Appreciation Day

103 Vision Way, Bloomfield, CT Directions at fidelco.org

Saturday, May 13th

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

• Guide Dog & K9 Demos

• Blindfold Walks

• Mother’s Day Plant & Flower Sale

• Lions Club Eyeglass Collection

• 4-H Book Sale

• Face Painting

This fun, family event features:

Register at fidelco.org

DOG DAYS OF SUMMERChildren’s Program

June 19 - August 11Weeklong, half-day sessions8 a.m. - 12 noon or 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.

• Dog ownership and care• Fidelco guide dogs and how they help

men and women who are blind• Special canine visitors

Highlights:

For dog lovers ages 8-12!

Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc.103 Vision Way Bloomfield, CT 06002

www.fidelco.org

Let’s Start This Puppy Up

Join Our 7th Annual Motorcycle RIDE FOR INDEPENDENCE

Sunday, July 23rd

• BBQ • Live Music • K9 Demos • Raffles

2-for-1 Registration Special

Through May 1st

CAN’T JOIN US? Register as a Ghost Rider and support Fidelco’s mission!

Register today at Fidelco.org

Documents

Fidelcows ne · puppy raisers and supported by Fidelco’s talented, professional trainers – become incredible guide dog partners. Gradually, our clients’ first, small steps with