Alumni-News-Spring-Summer-2013_FINAL

Alumni News – Spring/Summer 2013Volume 20, Number 2 Theresa Stern, Director of Alumni and Outreach Services, Editor Send submissions to the editor via tape, phone, mail or e-mail tstern@

Alumni News – Spring/Summer 2013

Volume 20, Number 2

Theresa Stern, Director of Alumni and Outreach Services, Editor

Send submissions to the editor via tape, phone, mail or e-mail tstern@guidedogs.com Alumni Association Mission Statement

The Alumni Association will support the vision of GDB of “using our power of partnering to improve quality of life” by building a strong sustainable community of support among our Alumni

We will work to support Alumni success with their guide, in building relationships with others, and actively participating in the greater GDB community

Alumni Association Board of Directors Mission Statement

Connecting Our Community through Leadership, Advocacy, Communication and Outreach

We'd like to send our very special thanks to all of our Alumni who, by their efforts and their example, refer others to our program.

Alumni News is available electronically, in Braille, and on audio CD If you are able to access email and would like future issues sent to you electronically, please let Theresa Stern know at tstern@guidedogs.com Email allows us to get the news to you in a timely manner and is easy on the environment!

Table of Contents

1 From the President and CEO

2 From Your Alumni Association

- Keeping Fido Fit, by Keith Kramlinger

- Healthy Ears, by Becky Andrews

- Infectious Diseases – Vet Q&A, by Keith Kramlinger

- 2013 Alumni Reunion – Join Us!

- Reach for the Stars Scholarship

- Survey Says!

- Alumni Association Board Welcomes New Members and Elects New Officers

3 Staff Spotlight

- Getting to Know Marc Gillard GDMI

- A Q&A with Pat Cook

- Welcome Jane Neglia, Outreach Manager

4 As We See It

- Guide Dog Teams Welcome at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, by Maile George

5 Alumni Bulletin Board

6 In Memoriam, In Memory, In Tribute

7 Gift Shop News

8 Announcements

FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO

Though I’ve been part of the GDB board since 2008, my personal history with our community begins much earlier My first experience was as a volunteer docent, where I had the privilege of sharing GDB’s life-changing programs and services with curious visitors The more time I spent

introducing others to our work, values and mission, the more my connection with the GDB familydeepened I began to understand how remarkable the connection between our guides and our clients can be My own aunt was blind, and I could not imagine a better companion for her than

a GDB guide On top of these personal connections, I even had the opportunity to adopt a retired guide, who instantly became a beloved member of my family

Even after all of these experiences, however, I continue to be humbled and inspired every day

by the people who make GDB’s work possible GDB represents thousands of passionate volunteers, staff members, alumni and many others, all bound together by shared life stories and experiences Over the years these personal connections have created a community and culture that truly embodies GDB’s mission

Because I consider the work of GDB so important, it is an honor for me to serve as the

organization’s interim president and CEO Since our founding in 1942, GDB has positively impacted the lives of countless adults and children, helping them to develop deep bonds with both their guide dogs and our larger community As GDB continues growing and evolving, we remain committed to this ongoing legacy of providing superior support services, training and connection

Our latest newsletter spotlights two dynamic GDB staff members whose contributions are some

of the many reasons GDB is an international leader in guide dog training First you will be introduced to Marc Gillard and learn about his important work in GDB’s new Support Center There’s also a Q and A with Pat Cook, who is deeply involved with supporting puppy raisers anddeveloping GDB’s dog training techniques I hope you find Marc and Pat’s stories as interesting

as I did

We’re also excited to welcome Jane Neglia with Guide Dog “Anja” to the GDB staff as our new Outreach Manager and Theresa Stern to her new position at GDB as Director of Alumni and Outreach Services! Previously our alumni association director, Theresa brings over 20 years of experience in the field of blind rehabilitation as well as deep relationships with the alumni community to her new position Congratulations Theresa and welcome Jane!

Lastly, GDB will continue to keep you updated on our search for a new president and CEO and Ilook forward to supporting this search Please feel free to contact our staff if you have any questions about this process

Sincerely, Bob Burke

Interim President & CEO, GDB

Former Chair, GDB Board of Directors

FROM YOUR ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Healthy Guide Initiative

In this issue of Alumni News, our Healthy Guide Initiative series will focus on the importance of maintaining a healthy weight for our guides, that is And we will provide you with information

on keeping your dog’s ears squeaky clean! We will finish out our series with a special Q and A with our veterinary staff Enjoy!

Keeping Fido Fit

Keith Kramlinger, Alumni Association Board member

Take a moment and think back upon your class experience Do you remember your instructors telling you repeatedly about the importance of maintaining your guides at a healthy weight? Do you remember your class supervisor talking about the importance of maintaining a healthy weight for your guide? Do you remember the veterinarian explaining the importance of keeping your guide at a good weight, preferably the in-class weight? Do you remember the class nurse and dining room staff reminding you that the instructors, supervisor, and veterinarian

emphasized the importance of keeping your guide at a healthy weight?

If you don’t remember these things, then your probably not a GDB Alumnus and shouldn’t be reading this newsletter!

But if you do remember these things, maybe you’re wondering, “Why does GDB focus so much

on our guide’s maintaining a healthy weight?”

The reason GDB is so focused on your guide maintaining a healthy weight is because a healthy weight is good for your guide

And, what’s good for your guide is good for you too, in several ways

A healthy weight guide is more likely to be a healthy guide A healthy guide is more likely to workwell with you, and to work well with you for a longer service life

A healthy dog will likely require fewer veterinarian visits, saving you time and expense

A healthy weight dog will likely eat less, saving you money and extra trips to the store to buy dog food

A healthy weight dog will likely have more energy and endurance for guiding adventures and play

Keeping our guides at their healthy weight is a gift we give them Overweight dogs are at risk ofmany potential health consequences, similar to humans, including joint problems, diabetes, heart disease, and possibly a greater risk for cancer

We hold the keys to maintaining our dogs’ healthy weight! The majority of dogs suffering from being overweight can be helped tremendously by changing minor habits in our daily lives.Know what your dog’s recommended weight is? Graduation weight is the optimal weight for your dog

Check your guide’s weight periodically Most vets won’t charge for a quick stop to check your guide’s weight This will help identify weight issues early, before the pounds add up

Feed the appropriate amount of food consistently Use of a good measuring cup can be a valuable aid in achieving this goal, as well as avoiding the tendency to give a heaping measure instead of a level measure Remember to deduct from your guide’s daily food portion the

amount of reward kibble given throughout the day While in training your dog probably took in more calories than he will need in the day to day work with you at home You will likely need to

reduce the amount of food that your dog was fed during training upon returning home For guidance please call the Support Center One of our Specialists can help you make a good calculation.

Keep treats to a minimum, if at all If you want to give your dog a treat, consider a session of tug, a grooming session, brush your guide’s teeth with that yummy poultry-flavored enzymatic toothpaste, cuddle, or do whatever you and your guide just love doing together!

Keep human food away from your guide

Walk your guides regularly, both for work and enjoyment

Our guides have much to keep track of when guiding us on our adventures – avoiding

obstacles, watching for clearances, monitoring traffic The last thing we want them to be is distracted, wondering, “Does my rear look big in this harness?”

Healthy Ears

By, Becky Andrews, Alumni Association Board Chair

Did you know that ear problems are one of the most common reasons for taking our dogs to the veterinarian?

Our dog’s ear is made up of external/outer ear, middle ear, and the inner/internal ear Each of these areas can be inflamed, irritated or infected Hearing is one of the more important senses

in our dogs Ear problems are common and when left untreated can cause our dogs to feel miserable from itchiness and pain They try to relieve their discomfort by itching, rubbing and scratching and shaking their ears

If you feel your dog has an ear problem, it is important to take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible as they can become progressively serious The goal of treating ear

inflammation and/or ear infection is to relieve the dog’s discomfort, reduce inflammation of the ear canal and associated structures and check for other health issues

It is a good idea to clean your dog’s ears on a regular basis This is especially true if you live in

a warm humid climate or if your dog has long floppy ears that can trap dirt and moisture Thank you to my veterinarian, Dr Ben Brown, for his help in writing this article and the reminder … I’m off to clean my dog’s long floppy, beautiful soft ears

Infectious Diseases - Vet Q & A

By, Keith Kramlinger

This article will focus on some issues related to prevention of infectious diseases in our guides Because of the medical nature of these issues, we have asked GDB veterinarian staff to answersome questions that have come up periodically when alumni talk to other alumni

Please remember that your graduation binder has some great information about these topics, including information on rabies, heartworm, and ticks and mites Also visit www.guidedogs.comfor “Tips from GDB’s Vets” at http://www.guidedogs.com/site/PageServer?

pagename=resources_pets_vettips

Q: Some alumni are told by their vets that their guides need rabies vaccine updates every

2 years, but others are told every 3 years Why is there this difference? Am I endangering

my guide by getting rabies vaccines too often, or too infrequently?

A: This is a question that comes up very frequently Rabies vaccines can provide immunity up to

3 years, depending on the brand and strength of the vaccine Different counties and cities have local laws that dictate how often rabies vaccines should be given It is GDB’s practice to

administer 3 years rabies vaccines and we support this concept However we understand that local laws may suggest differently Over vaccination is a very involved topic and there are several aspects to take into consideration Optimally, dogs should receive vaccines that protect them from widespread diseases (core vaccines) Non-core vaccines are optional vaccines that should be considered based on geographical exposure and thus not be given to every dog every time (over vaccination)

Q: When I go to get my guide’s annual exam, the vet tells me my guide needs all sorts of other vaccinations besides rabies, such as something called DHLPP (which I understand

to mean distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, parvovirus) and bordetella I don’t remember these being discussed in detail while in class Are these additional vaccines required and necessary?

A: DHLPP vaccines is considered one of the core vaccines by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) that are recommended to be given regularly While Bordetella is considered

a non-core vaccine, several clinic’s recommend it due to the frequency of exposure to this disease (kennel cough) Dogs that board or visit dog parks (not GDBs case in particular) are at

a higher risk of becoming infected At GDB, we do vaccinate our dogs yearly for Bordetella We suggest for you to discuss your daily habits and routes with your veterinarian and determine if Bordetella vaccine is appropriate for your dog

Q: I understand the importance of heartworm prevention, and my guide gets it every month without fail Is it still necessary to get the heartworm blood test, and if so, how often? I don’t like the idea of my guide getting stuck for a blood test that might not be necessary.

A: Heartworm preventatives provide your dog with a monthly small dose of a de-worming that kills the larvae of heartworms While the medication is very effective, it may not provide your petwith 100% protection (consider factors such as forgetting to give the tablet on a monthly routine,dog vomiting/spitting the tablet after given, medication kept in unstable conditions - too cold or too hot, etc) In addition, heartworm disease is known as the silent killer, given the fact that infected dogs do not show acute signs of disease until in latest stages Routine heartworm testing ensures that the medication has been effective and that your dog is free of heartworm disease Most heartworm tests also screen for other blood borne diseases, which helps you keep your dog healthier longer Most clinics recommend heartworm testing on a yearly basis and the test generally only requires 3 little drops of blood

Q: I want to make sure that my guide has the best possible tick and mite protection Does this mean I need to apply the preventive monthly? I seem to recall that depending where

we live and how often we travel, it may not be necessary to apply the preventive monthly throughout the year Who can get by with less, and what are the suggested guidelines?

A: Fleas and ticks and heartworm disease (this one transmitted by mosquitoes) are seen in all

50 US states Considering that fleas, ticks and mosquitos are insects and arachnids, it is safe toassume that the highest risk of exposure is during the warmer months of the year However, most veterinarians call tell you that fleas in particular are seen year round, given their ability to seek warmer areas during the winter months (inside of houses, garages, sheds, etc) Monthly treatments ensure that in case your dog gets in contact with any of these pests, they will be properly protected GDB has recommended MERIAL products (Frontline and Heartgard) for the management of fleas and ticks Frontline provides proven protection against fleas and ticks for

30 days (other products may only cover fleas); Heartgard protects dogs against heartworms, hookworms and roundworms Getting by with less can become a “tricky road”, considering the risks posed to your guide’s health not to mention the nuisance of having fleas joining you for Sunday Football and potentially biting you for their blood meal

Q: There are a variety of products available for heartworm and tick/mite prevention Are these interchangeable? Can we use generic forms instead of the more expensive brand names?

A: There is an extremely large variety of products that claim to be effective in the management

of parasites The key word when trying to choose a product is “efficacy” Several active

ingredients in over the counter products have been around for many years and therefore are not

as effective anymore (remember that insect and ticks can develop resistance rather quickly) GDB has recommended MERIAL products (Frontline and Heartgard) for the management of fleas and ticks Frontline provides proven protection against fleas and ticks for 30 days (other products may only cover fleas); Heartgard protects dogs against heartworms, hookworms and roundworms In case these products are not meeting your expectations, our VFA and

veterinarian teams can advise you on equally effective alternatives

2013 Alumni Reunion – Join Us!!

It’s time to get together and celebrate! Join us for the 2013 GDB Alumni Reunion! After our fabulous GDB Homecoming in 2010, lots of grads said that a major highlight was catching up with old friends, so your GDB Alumni Association Board is planning a Reunion Celebration that will give you that and so much more!

Our theme this year is Harnessing Health and Happiness, and you will have the

opportunity to learn lots of new techniques that will keep you and your Guide Healthy and Happy for years to come! We'll kick off with a Question and Answer session with instructors, enjoy a poolside welcome reception and then on Saturday hear from

informative speakers in the morning, visit with friends in the afternoon, and end the day enjoying a bountiful feast of delicious foods while we honor our fellow Alumni and

friends at our Awards Banquet Have you authored a book? If so we will have a special

“Author’s Corner” area set up where you can display and share your writings with the group

We will also be celebrating the completion of our brand new, state of the art, New

Student Residence! On Friday and Saturday you will have an opportunity to tour this beautiful new building! Many of you kindly donated to the building and some of you helped in creating the amazing rock sculpture, here’s a chance to see the outcome of your participation!

Want to extend the fun? If you are able to join us early, we have arranged for an

excursion on Thursday and another on Friday that fit with are theme of Harnessing Health and Happiness On Thursday participate in a kayaking adventure on the San

Francisco Bay and enjoy a picnic lunch Friday’s offering is a trip where you will explore the nearby Wine Country and partake in the tasting of some of the most interesting and delicious wines in the world For those who can stick around on Sunday, we will be providing a walking tour of the famous San Rafael Civic Center Farmers Market, where you can indulge all your senses!

When: Reunion Celebration - Friday October 4, 2013 – Sunday October 6, 2013 /

With special tours on Thursday, Friday and Sunday for an additional charge.

Where: Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, 1010 Northgate Dr., San Rafael & Guide

Dogs for the Blind San Rafael Campus

Who: Guide Dogs graduates, puppy raisers, breeders, family and friends

Our priorities in planning are to make it fun and informative while keeping costs low Sheraton rates are an amazing $105 per night + tax, including a full breakfast.

Registration fee - which covers all hospitality (drinks and snacks), Welcome Reception, Speakers, Workshops, and Awards Dinner - is just $100

If you would like to order a box lunch for Saturday (the hotel restaurant is closed for lunch on Saturday) you can do so for an additional $15.00 Please note however, that there are local restaurants within walking distance to the hotel if you prefer to get out and about!

Make plans now to get best airline fares into San Francisco or Oakland.

You can register online by going to: www.guidedogs.com Or call Theresa Stern

800 295-4050 x4171 Registration deadline is August 30.

To book a room at the hotel, call (415) 479-8800 Be sure to mention Guide Dogs for

the Blind to get the low $105.00 rate If you want to vacation prior to the reunion or stay longer afterward, the hotel is extending the same rate from Wednesday, Oct 2 – Monday, Oct 7!

Contact your favorite GDB grads and puppy raisers to spread the word, and make plans for lunch or to hang by the pool.

See you there!

Reach for the Stars Scholarship

Thanks to the generosity of GDB Alumna Gina Harper, the Guide Dogs for the Blind Alumni Association invites you to apply for the Reach for the Stars Scholarship This year Gina has funded two $1,500 scholarships for a GDB Alumnus who is pursuing post secondary education

or training The scholarship funds can be used to help offset costs of tuition, books, supplies, adaptive equipment, etc

To apply, please submit the following: (electronic format preferred)

1) A letter of introduction to the committee which includes your email address, phone number and mailing address

2) An essay (not to exceed 500 words) that describes your course of study, your career aspirations, and how our investment in your success will help to realize those goals

3) Transcripts for the past semester and proof of registration for the upcoming semester.4) A letter of recommendation from a member of the faculty at your school

All application materials are to be submitted as email attachments using the following file name convention:

Last Name_First Name_Introduction Letter_RSS

Last Name_First Name_Essay_RSS

Last Name_First Name_Transcript_RSS

Last Name_First Name_Recommendation Letter_RSS

In order to provide the Nominating Committee ample time to consider your Reach for the Stars Scholarship application, please email all required documents to Theresa Stern (email address: tstern@guidedogs.com) by September 15, 2013

Good luck in your endeavors and we look forward to hearing from you!

Survey Says!

A big “thank you” to all of you who completed our graduate satisfaction survey last Spring! And congratulations to our prize winners: Susan Esparcia, Rob DiMeglio, Adelaida Ortega, John Bergeman, Eiji Yamamoto, and Gabriel Griffith! The results are in and I’m happy to report that the findings are stunningly positive! This survey will serve as a baseline that will allow us to

measure our progress in future years You can expect a comprehensive survey such as the one

we conducted this year every five years and smaller, more targeted surveys in the years in between Here are a few highlights You can access the survey in its entirety on our website under the Alumni tab

Highlights:

The most influential factors in the respondent’s decision to pursue the Guide Dog lifestyle was enhanced mobility at 99 percent, with companionship at 89 percent, and increased social interaction at 77 percent

Respondents reported that their primary referral source to our program was, overwhelmingly, byGDB graduates (38 percent) Blindness professionals and self-research/media followed at 18 percent and 17 percent, respectively These numbers align with the information we have

gathered for years through our application process

Only half of respondents who have received orientation and mobility training in the last five years reported having been educated about guide dog mobility while receiving their training This indicates an opportunity for outreach efforts to include more interaction with orientation andmobility professionals and university programs that train orientation and mobility specialists Regarding choosing Guide Dogs for the Blind as the school of choice, respondents reported being most influenced by the quality of our training program (94 percent), followed by graduate services at 87 percent, and veterinary financial assistance at 78 percent

Ninety-four percent of respondents feel confident in their dog’s skills and feel they are well matched as travel partners

Of those trained in the use of food as a positive reinforcement, 69 percent report using this tool routinely, while 26 percent never or seldom use food

Seventy-four percent of those using the Veterinary Financial Assistance program report being satisfied with their ability to talk to someone on the phone With the new Support Center this number will likely increase dramatically in the very near future

Eighty-five percent read Alumni News, 35 percent take part in activities such as chapter,

reunions, and speakers series It is our hope that the new Open Learning project will provide more opportunities to engage graduates post-graduation

Ninety-six percent of respondents report being proud to be associated with GDB; 93 percent agree that they will return to GDB for a successor guide; and 96 percent would recommend our program to others

Overall, 78 percent report being “very satisfied” with the overall program at GDB while 19 percent report being “satisfied”, for a 97 percent satisfaction rate There are surely opportunities

to move more of our graduates into the very satisfied category

Alumni Association Board Welcomes New Members and Elects New Officers

The Alumni Association Board is pleased to welcome three new board members, Maile George with “Jasmine”, Leanne Bremner with “Ayanna”, and Gary Norman with “Pilot” Each of these individuals bring with them a variety of skills and knowledge that will help our association grow and prosper We have also elected new officers for the 2013-2014 year: Becky Andrews, Chair; Terry Christensen, Vice Chair; and Michelle Miller, Secretary A huge “thank you” goes out to our outgoing board members who have volunteered countless hours of their time to building our association: Jeff Senge, Judy Mathews, and Jen McEachen We wish you all the best in your future pursuits!

To learn more about our board members, you can check out their bios on the GDB website under the Alumni tab

STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Getting to Know Marc Gillard, GDMI, Support Center Specialist

Each week GDB’s new Support Center makes and receives an average of 850 calls, with phones ringing nonstop from 8am to 5pm The center’s specially trained staff – largely long-timeGDB employees, such as Beth Hamilton, Lucy Waite, Marc Gillard, Trip Kaplin, Dianne

Matcheck, Ken Altenburger and Jennifer Isaac – supports our 2,100 graduates and guide dogs The center is also an available resource for puppy raisers, breeders, donors, media and more One time a group of students even called from their classroom to do a phone interview Workingwith such a wide range of people and topics may seem overwhelming to some But for Marc Gillard, Guide Dog Mobility Instructor, the variety of callers and situations is why he loves his job

Marc was drawn to the field of guide dog training because it overlaps with many other

professions, such as human health and science, optometry and social services “A lot of the time, after picking up the phone you could be wearing several hats, from dog behaviorist to psychologist But every call requires special skills and sensitivity,” Marc explains

Born in Melbourne, Australia, Marc originally studied forestry as an undergrad and dreamt of one day working in zoology But after graduating from school, hard economic times made job opportunities scarce By luck Marc came across an advertisement for a guide dog apprentice position – keeping an open mind, he eagerly applied and was invited for an interview

During the interview Marc discovered a lot about guide dog training, particularly how animal science plays a huge role in the development of training techniques “In truth, that one interview changed my life – we discussed how similar domestic dogs are to wolves, and how that is takeninto consideration during guide dog training.” From that moment on, he was hooked Today, Marc continues to love his job because it allows him to work so closely with both grads and theirguides “In this industry you get to work not just with dogs, but with people as well … it takes you into lots of other worlds and you’re constantly learning.”

Marc has been part of GDB for a total of ten years, first from 1996 to 1999, and returning in

2006 Outside of GDB, Marc’s passion for guide dog training has taken him all over the world, working at guide organizations in Canada and Australia At one point he was also an assessor

for the International Federation of Guide Dog Schools, which involved evaluating global leaders

in guide dog training All of these experiences have reinforced Marc’s passion for working at GDB “In my 22 years of industry experience, I’ve seen how GDB is a leader because we’re so dynamic and ready for change … this is even more impressive since GDB is one of the biggest programs in the world.”

What makes working at GDB so special to Marc? “GDB really does have a unique and special culture,” he explains “There’s always this internal driver from the organization to aspire to be the world’s best Staff in all areas are constantly working to improve, whether it’s in

development, creativity, dog training or another specific area.”

The Support Center is certainly an example of this constant drive to improve From Marc’s perspective, “Before the center, our staff couldn’t provide such comprehensive services because

of the different facilities and spread out staff – now we can manage all grads and other clients personally and in-house to make sure they receive complete care from our full staff of experts.”When Marc describes his work at the Support Center, it quickly becomes apparent just how much he cares for both the guide dogs and people he works with – “many of the calls are from individuals who are beginning their journey as visually impaired We’re here to be supportive and provide as much information as possible It’s really important work.” One could say it’s GDB’s culture of teamwork, connectivity and problem solving that has Marc returning every week to the Support Center

“It’s nice to see all the pieces fit together in a nice way when you’re helping people,” says Marc

“In the future we’re also creating a comprehensive database in our Support Center that will bring

up both caller and guide dog information based on a phone number It’s going to be great for ourgraduates”

Pat Cook Q & A

Pat Cook is GDB’s Canine Resources Manager and also works in Canine Community

Programs Pat took time out of her busy schedule to talk about her love of dogs, kids,

volunteers and being part of the GDB family.

Q: How did you start working at GDB?

A: Well, I’ve been with GDB for over sixteen years It really gets into your blood, and the people here love working with the dogs and the people I’m originally from Great Britain and moved here in the late 1970s For almost twenty years I had an independent dog training business in San Francisco, where I ran classes in dog training for hobby, sport or pets It was successful and I gained a lot of knowledge, but I was getting tired of the Bay Area I’m originally a country girl and the area was changing, so eventually I applied for an open position in Oregon

Q: What’s a typical workday for you like at GDB?

A: Oh my gosh, I don’t think I have anything you could call a typical workday At GDB I have twopositions (one in Canine Resources and the other in Canine Community Programs), which is somewhat unique The region I cover is from Salem down to Chico and Elko and east to Boise Isupervise 90-100 puppies and work very closely with the volunteer leaders As a Canine

Resources Manager, I also supervise the community field reps and everything to do with our