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Spring 2012

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FidelcoNews Spring 2012 Donate securely at www.fidelco.org

In this Issue Spring 2012

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Photo by Red Cottage Photography

FidelcoNews is the newsletter of the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc.

Graphic Designer: Kristine Fletcher

Contributing Writer: Chris Gregor

Contributing Photographer: Susan DeMaio

Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc.103 Vision WayBloomfield, CT 06002(860) 243-5200

© 2012 All rights reserved. Reproduction or other use, in whole or in part, without written permission is prohibited.

Cover Story: A Match Made in Heaven

Upcoming Events

Watch Me Grow/Dog Days of Summer

Ask Dr. B

Fidelco Estates Wine

K-9 Heroes–Now and Then

In Memory

The Latest Scoop

Puppies!

Fidelco is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Bloomfield, CT, that breeds, trains and places its own, unique “breed within a breed” German Shepherd Guide Dogs with people who have visual disabilities. Each Fidelco Guide Dog costs $45,000 and takes two years to raise and train, and they are given at no cost to men and women who are blind. Fidelco relies solely on the financial support and generosity of individuals, foundations, corporations and civic organizations to help Share the Vision®. Fidelco has placed over 1,300 German Shepherd Guide Dogs in 41 states and five Canadian provinces. It pioneered “In-community Placement” in the United States — a process that allows guide dog users to be trained in the communities where they live and work. For more information, please visit www.fidelco.org.Donations to Fidelco are deductible as charitable contributions on a donor’s federal income tax return. Please consult your tax advisor for specific details.

Do you know someone with visual disabilities who is interested in requesting a guide dog? Contact Fidelco at 860-243-5200 or admissions@fidelco.org to request informational materials about our guide dog application process.

Fully engaged in our sixth decade, Fidelco stands tall

and proud of its many significant accomplishments in service to our Mission of providing increased independence and mobility to our clients who are blind. Amongst Fidelco’s most notable achievements are the pioneering and exclusive use of In-Community Placement in the United States to directly benefit our clients’ training and to accommodate their families’ busy schedules; the placement of over 1,300 German Shepherd Guide Dogs across North America in 41 states and five Canadian provinces; and our unwavering commitment to, and exclusive use of, the German Shepherd Dog as the very best working dog breed to take on the leadership responsibility for our clients’ safety.

Successful delivery of Fidelco’s Mission is based on establishing a relationship of trust, support and team work between the human handler and guide dog. This perspective informs Fidelco’s view and shapes our beliefs and values. And it starts long before a guide dog placement begins.

To Fidelco’s co-founders, Charlie and Robbie Kaman, we owe much gratitude for their foresight, passion and dedication to improving the quality of life for men and women who are blind. They were partners in life and partners in Fidelco. Together, they went out and happened to things. Together they laid Fidelco’s foundation and shared their vision with others. Today, with this same spirit of optimism and enthusiasm, it is our time to nurture Fidelco into the future. It is our time to go out together, in partnership, to happen to things in order to improve and grow Fidelco. Fidelco asks you to become a life-changer. There are many ways to do this, to be sure. Donate. Volunteer. Introduce and share the magic of Fidelco with others. In the words of Leonardo da Vinci, go out and happen to things in order to build a greater Fidelco. Donations are the lifeblood of all nonprofit organizations. And

passionate volunteers are the heartbeat. Your generosity today will help Fidelco support Jamie’s new litter of ten beautiful puppies, born on January 30, as they begin their two-year journey to become Fidelco Guide Dogs. Working alongside Fidelco’s small and dedicated staff, there are many ways to volunteer. Raise a guide dog puppy. Create a fundraising event to share Fidelco with your friends or co-workers. Attend a Fidelco event (schedule reminder that Fidelco’s Annual Open House is Saturday, April 21st). Link to Fidelco on Facebook and other social media to help spread the word. The demand for Fidelco Guide Dogs increases annually and we stand ready. The only way that Fidelco will be able to meet this need, however, is with your help – today and tomorrow.

In advance of your support during 2012, thank you for happening to Fidelco.

Thank you for Sharing the Vision.

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“… people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out

and happened to things.” Leonardo da Vinci

Charles H. Kaman 1919 – 2011Roberta C. Kaman 1935 – 2010

Eliot D. RussmanCEO and Executive Director

Happen to tHings...

“...Faye is a GREAT dog....a lot more frisky than Colt...a real trickster attitude and is always doing something silly...like jumping in my wife’s fish pond with all four legs spread out to make the biggest splash. You never know what she is going to do next and she keeps me in stitches laughing!

She works very hard to please me and is always trying to figure what it is I want so she can do it early. I love her and have received a lot of compliments on her. We flew up north last month and she traveled like a trooper.

Have a great new year. Thank you for what you do.” Email from Fidelco client Ed B.

FidelcoNews Spring 2012 Donate securely at www.fidelco.org

A Match Made In Heaven

COVER STORY

“What the hell!” yelled the angry jogger as she collided with Bill DeMaio.

He was walking near his home in Newington, CT, distracted about coming to terms with his deteriorating eyesight. “I had been using a cane on and off and investigating Fidelco, but a cane or a guide dog felt like a big billboard announcing ‘I’m blind and

dependent!’ I struggled to face the reality. That day as I walked and prayed for a sign about whether to apply for a guide dog—God gave me an answer loud and clear when that lady jogger whacked me with her shoulder. I looked up to the sky and said, ‘OK, I get it, time to make the move.’”

It was Bill’s “ah-ha” moment.

Bill, 53, has Retinitis Pigmentosa, a degenerative genetic disease, and his big change in life was at age 30 when he gave up his driver’s license – a huge decision. While Bill has some functional vision, he has lived most of his life with the gradual loss. “I tried to ‘fake it’ to fit in and not be discriminated against, but as the eyesight got worse I couldn’t do it anymore,” he says.

With the jogger incident as the impetus, Izaac, a calm, focused male Fidelco Guide Dog, came into Bill’s life October 24th, 2011 (also Bill and his wife Susan’s 30th wedding anniversary). Interestingly, one of the DeMaio’s two daughters, Laura (Danielle is the other), is the Fidelco Apprentice Trainer who trained Izaac. “Izaac was always very serious and professional about working. When he got into the harness he was all business, out of the harness he was about having fun. He was a quick learner, too. Early on, I saw Izaac’s personality reflected Dad’s, who had the same work ethic while being very engaged in having fun when off the clock,” says Laura.

A Family Affair

“When I was young, Dad encouraged me to set goals, follow dreams and choose lifework that made me happy. I pursued my passion by working with animals through various volunteer positions and ultimately my job with Fidelco. My other passion was helping the blind, fostered by a lifetime of helping my Dad and others he knew with blindness. When the Fidelco Selection Committee approved Dad’s application, it seemed like a culmination of those dreams

I had worked to achieve and I realized how fortunate I was to combine my two great passions in my work,” Laura added.

Changing What It Means To Be Blind

Izaac embodied Bill’s second big life change. “Getting Izaac opened up the world of people that I had gradually distanced myself from. Izaac is a social magnet, people flock to him and me by association—

freeing me from that old isolation due to my blindness. Now I’m outgoing enough to even plan an upcoming speaking engagement to a group of fifth graders in Massachusetts. It’s part of my quest to be a goodwill

ambassador for guide dogs and Fidelco. I even have a mantra— ‘Changing what it means to be blind’.”

“I was always very physically active; an avid wind surfer, I loved sports. If it had a ball, I played it,” Bill recalls. And Izaac helps Bill reconnect with that physically active lifestyle he loves. “We take long walks every day; my friends say they have never seen me so confident in my walking. The liberation and freedom that Izaac has given me is unexplainable. Izaac’s

puppy raisers tell me he loves to swim, which is perfect because I’m an enthusiastic swimmer and kayaker. This summer on the lake, maybe he’ll be right there with me; just one of the many ways that Izaac and I are a perfect match. Gretchen Fisher-Orr, the Fidelco Instructor/Trainer who trained me, says it will be hard to fill Izaac’s place when he retires because we’re so in tune with each other...but that’s 10 years from now!”

A New Confidence

Bill is the Director of the New Britain, CT, Department of Parks and Recreation, a demanding and wide-ranging job. He manages 70 full-time and 400 part- time employees in seven divisions, including Veterans Affairs, Persons With Disabilities, and Youth and Family Services. Bill notes the tremendous effort his colleagues make in the workplace avoiding temptations to pet or give attention to Izaac.

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continued on page 11

Bill with daughter, Laura, and Izaac

“ T he liberation and freedom that Izaac has given me is unexplainable.”

Events

FidelcoNews Spring 2012 Donate securely at www.fidelco.org

More event details at www.fidelco.org!

A fun-filled day of activities featuring behind-the-scenes tours of the Fidelco campus. Enjoy agility and freestyle performances and blindfold walks, in addition to puppy, guide dog and Law Enforcement K-9 demonstrations.

Fidelco Open House and Lions Club Appreciation Day

Walk with us and support Fidelco at Salem Common, a nine acre park in the heart of the city!

Fidelco Dog Walk Fundraising Event in Salem, MA

2nd Annual Ride for Independence

Join hundreds of other motorcycle riders for a scenic ride in North Central Connecticut. It will be a fun day of music, food, custom bike show, K-9 demonstrations and more. And it’s all to benefit Fidelco!

An event entirely for man’s best friend featuring attractions for our canine friends. Dog contests, demonstrations, vendors, live music, food, auctions, games for the kids and more! South Windsor Rotary Pavilion at Nevers Park, South Windsor, the event raises funds for Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation and the South Windsor Bark Park.

South Windsor Jaycees Paws in the Park

Allied Printing Charitable Foundation 5th Annual Gerald F. Sommers Memorial Golf TournamentFidelco is a beneficiary of this tournament held at Topstone Golf Course, 516 Griffin Road, South Windsor, CT. For information, contact Lori Temple at 860-643-1101 or Lori.Temple@alliedprinting.com

Upcoming

31st Annual Fidelco Dog Walk Fundraising Event in Simsbury, CTNEW VENUE for Fidelco’s Fundraising Walk!

Coming Soon to a School Near You! Fidelco’s Watch Me Grow program, launched in 2004, has engaged over 44,000 children in grades 2-12, in a hands-on, interactive experience designed to teach kids about the disability of blindness, how guide dogs are trained to assist people who are blind, responsible dog ownership, and the importance of giving back. It is easily adapted for organizations such as Scouts and 4-H Clubs.

Thanks in part to a generous grant from the Reader’s Digest Partners for Sight Foundation, Fidelco is

offering Watch Me Grow to schools throughout the world. Funds from this grant are helping Fidelco further expand outreach capabilities and enhance Watch Me Grow teaching materials. How you can participate • InClass/GroupMeeting – Fidelco delivers

a Watch Me Grow presentation including handouts and a guide dog demonstration to groups within a 1 ½ hour drive from Hartford, CT.

• UsingSkype– Fidelco is putting paws to the virtual pavement to expand Watch Me Grow. Presented via live interactive sessions, kids will experience young Fidelco puppies and guide-dogs-in-training, Q&A sessions to “Talk to a Guide Dog Trainer,” and much more.

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Dog Days of Summer

Kids and Dogs—A Great Combination!

Dog Days of Summer returns this year from June 25thuntilAugust17th!Fidelco’s half-day, week-long, interactive program gives children a fun, hands-on experience with all things dog. It also teaches them about guide dogs and people with visual disabilities.

Dog Days of Summer is a great way for kids to have fun and to learn important lessons about dog care and, importantly, about helping others. And kids visit with our incredibly cute German Shepherd puppies and meet special canine guests!

ReServeyoUrSpotnow!For more information, visit www.fidelco.org or call Jan Adams at 860-243-4801.

For more information about our Watch Me Grow program, contact Fidelco at 860 243-4801 or email WatchMeGrow@fidelco.org.

FidelcoNews Spring 2012 Donate securely at www.fidelco.org

SponsorapieceofFidelcotoday! A limited number of kennel sponsorships are available for individuals, families, clubs and youth groups. Or create your own group to support Fidelco! Choose a six month ($500) or one year ($1,000) renewable sponsorship that will help defray expenses and provide needed supplies in “your” kennel. A nameplate will be placed next to your kennel and you will receive a photo of one of the dogs, as well as

updates on activities at Fidelco throughout the year. Your generosity will be visible during tours and will invite others to consider sponsoring their own kennels. For more information, contact Susan Greer at sgreer@fidelco.org or 860-243-4043.

Mild weather prevailed throughout this winter

and the insects that carry diseases didn’t go away. Even if this was a typical cold and snowy New England winter, it would

have been recommended to give monthly heartworm, flea and tick preventatives. thesepestsarealwayslurkingyear-round.

Fleas and ticks can survive winter temperatures when they are able to find a host to feed from (such as wild animals or your pet), or a warm location to hide in during the coldest weather months.

If protected from freezing cold, flea pupae (the inactive, non-feeding stage of an insect that has a protective covering) will remain dormant for over a year until it is warm enough to come out. When conditions become ideal, the pupae will complete their development and emerge from their cocoons resulting in a surge of activity both on and off your pets. Additionally, if fleas are swallowed, they can spread tapeworm to your pet.

Ticks will happily land on your pet even when it is chilly. As soon as temperatures hover at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, adult ticks become a threat. If your pet spends time outdoors in the winter, tick prevention is important. And since most medications are designed to thwart both fleas and ticks, it’s a good idea to use preventative medications throughout the year.

In addition, heartworm preventatives kill more than just heartworms. Most also kill many common internal parasites that live within your pet’s intestinal tract causing mischief. Some of them, such as hookworm and roundworm are also infectious to people. Stopping thisproductinthewintermonthsnotonlystopsthisprotectionforyourpets,butalsoforyourhumanfamilymembersaswell!Astheoldsayinggoes:Itisbetterto besafethansorry!

Mild Winter Means Trouble with Fleas & Ticks

New Opportunities for Kennel Sponsorships

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1 (16 ounce) package dried penne pasta5 tablespoons olive oil, divided2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into cubessalt and pepper to tastegarlic powder to taste1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth1 bunch slender asparagus spears, trimmed, cut on diagonal into 1-inch pieces1 clove garlic, thinly sliced1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Mild Winter Means Trouble with Fleas & Ticks

Pair this light

but super-tasty

pasta dish with

Fidelco Estates

Sauvignon Blanc!

Penne with ChiCken and asParagus sauCe

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boil. Add pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, and set aside. 2. Warm 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in chicken, and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook until chicken is cooked through and browned, about 5 minutes. Remove chicken to paper towels.

3. Pour chicken broth into the skillet. Then stir in asparagus, garlic, and a pinch more garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cover, and steam until the asparagus is just tender, about 5 to 10 minutes. Return chicken to the skillet, and warm through. 4. Stir chicken mixture into pasta, and mix well. Let sit about 5 minutes. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, stir again, then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

direCtions

Fidelco-bred “Echo,” now known as K-9 “Fedor,” with Officer Daniel Weegar of the Newark, NY, Police Department, recently detected their largest drug bust of cocaine and marijuana.

Fidelco K-9 HeroesFidelco German Shepherd Dog “Will” recently graduated from the 151st Patrol Class Connecticut State Police K-9 Training Academy and will serve with the New Britain Police Department.

Officer Nick Egan with K-9 “Will”

FidelcoNews Spring 2012 Donate securely at www.fidelco.org

Since its founding 50 years ago, Fidelco has provided appropriate German Shepherd Dogs to law enforcement, first-responder search-and-rescue, and missing child recovery organizations to help these heroic men and women protect our fellow citizens and keep them safe.

Harford Police K-9; March 1962

Five Decades of Public Service

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Fidelco’s “Izzy” is part of Connecticut Task Force One Urban Search and Rescue team. Fidelco Trainer/Instructor Liz Hatinen has been training Izzy for 8 months and will be testing soon to become a FEMA certified disaster dog. Liz and Izzy will respond to both wilderness searches for lost people as well as urban work such as collapsed buildings.

Connecticut State Trooper James Foley with Fidelco’s “Logan” worked both World Trade Center bombings. Logan is credited with one of the very few live finds following the 9/11 attacks.

Connecticut State Trooper Edward Anuszewski and Fidelco’s “Octane” demonstrate the team’s ability to successfully handle all situations with energetic ease.

Connecticut State Trooper Chad Gomez and Fidelco’s “Gibson.” The team is deployed to Troop L in Litchfield, CT.

Five Decades of Public Service

Recently retired West Hartford, CT Police K-9 “Kora” passed away in January after complications from cancerous tumors associated with old age.

Though not a Fidelco-bred German Shepherd, Kora was a well-loved part of the Fidelco family. She participated in the K-9 demo at Fidelco’s Open House and also thrilled the kids in our “Dog Days of Summer” children’s program.

Officer Eric Rocheleau and Kora served as a team with distinction from 2003 to 2011. They were an exceptional K-9 partnership and were awarded the Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 Award in 2005 for outstanding achievements.

Officer Rocheleau and Kora will always be a big part of Fidelco’s family and Kora will be missed.

IN MEMORY.. .

BeaconCaylaChevraCobaltDuchessDuluth Farah

FaustGemma GunnarGunterIvan InezKena

JaggerJoyLexy LoganMetooQuinn Snickers

TarikTessUpton Woodstock WunderXeaXplorer

In fond memory of our beloved Fidelco Guide Dogs that crossed the Rainbow Bridge during 2011:

Just one week after completing his three-week In-community Placement, there was a big challenge for the new team — they traveled together to a two-day work-related conference away from home. It turned into a bonding opportunity. “Having a guide dog was still new, but Izaac was sensational. He mastered the layout of the hotel and route to my room instantly— it was absolutely mind-boggling.” In a classic case of “trusting the dog,” that beginning instilled a new confidence in how Bill gets around.

People are noticing. “Recently my neighbor called to tell me how she saw this well-dressed blind man confidently striding across four lanes of traffic in downtown New Britain with his dog, ‘when I realized it was you! I couldn’t believe it!’ she said. That felt good to hear. I’m kind of tearing up just talking about it.”

Understandably, Bill feels a close bond with Fidelco, too. So, on a Thursday night in January, Bill co-hosted a fundraiser for Fidelco at a local restaurant to show appreciation. “I can’t say enough about Fidelco and I’ll help them anyway I can. Friends and co-workers attended a fun evening and the proprietors donated 10% of the proceeds to Fidelco. We had a raffle and the guests made donations. It was a tremendous success and Izaac, of course, was the life of the party.”

Bill DeMaio has made big strides since that heaven-sent collision on the sidewalk near his home and he keeps moving forward envisioning an ever-brighter future with Izaac guiding the way.

Editor’s Note: Izaac was raised by Volunteer Puppy Raisers Art Williams and Linda Manning.

The Working Dog My eyes are your eyes,

to watch and protect you and yours.

My ears are your ears, to hear and detect evil minds in the dark.

My nose is your nose, to scent the invader of your domain.

And so you may live, my life is also yours.

Author Unknown

A Match Made in Heaven continued from page 3

An example of how a person with Retinitis Pigmentosa, like Bill DeMaio, sees the world.

FidelcoNews Spring 2012 Donate securely at www.fidelco.org

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A warm, fuzzy thank you to birthday girl Cecilia for collecting blankets for Fidelco at her birthday party. Our puppies are cozy in their new blankets! Pictured with Cecilia is sister Gabriella and “Datsun.”

Employees of J.Morrissey&Company in Windsor, CT visited Fidelco to learn more about the guide dog program. They hugged some puppies and had blindfold walks with guide-dogs-in-training. J. Morrissey recently made a generous donation to Fidelco, with proceeds generated from a “Friday Jeans Day” project.

l o o k w h o s t o p p e d b y

Members of LeadershipGreaterHartford’s2012Ambassador Committeetake time for some puppy cuddling before they begin their kick-off meeting that was held at Fidelco’s campus. Participants learned about Fidelco’s life-changing work and also had an opportunity to experience a blindfold walk with our German Shepherd Guide Dogs.

KamanIndustrialtechnologies– Fidelco’s new neighbors at 1 Vision Way – donated proceeds from a furniture tag sale held before they moved into their new building. Above: KIT President Steven Smidler presents a check for $1,200 to Fidelco CEO Eliot Russman.

Richard LoPresti, Community Development Specialist, from ConnecticutnaturalGas presented a CT Neighborhood Assistance Act grant to Fidelco. Accepting the check are Eliot Russman, CEO and Executive Director, and Gretchen Fisher-Orr, Trainer/Instructor, with guide-dog-in-training, Jett.

Volunteer Puppy Raiser Jeremiah Williams and other members from JackandJillofAmerica,Inc.presented a check from money they raised for Fidelco. Pictured above l-r: Fidelco CEO Eliot Russman, JT Gooden (Teen Vice President); Micah Mingo (Teen Secretary); and Jeremiah Williams (Teen President).

We've got Puppies!

FidelcoNews Spring 2012 Donate securely at www.fidelco.org

eachlitterofpuppiesbornatFidelcois assignedaletterandnumber.thisisthe K-25litter(yes–we’vebeenaroundthe alphabet25times!)andeachpupwillhave anamethatbeginswiththeletterK.

ourvolunteerpuppyraisersnamethepuppythattheyraise.Haveasuggestionfor a good “K” guide dog puppy name? postitonFidelco’sFacebookpage!visitwww.facebook.com/fidelcoguidedog tofollowus!

thenormaF.pfriempupHousehasbeenabustleofactivitywiththearrivaloftennewpuppies!

Mom“Jamie”gavebirthto sevengorgeousgirlsandthreehandsomeboysonJanuary30.

DID YOU KNOW? Puppies are born with their eyes and ear canals closed

because they are not completely developed. It takes about ten days after birth for their

ears and eyes to open.

Have your favorite photo imprinted on one of more than 500 products and create your own personalized gift! Mail a heartfelt card or letter stamped with your favorite pet! TheFidelcoGallerycanbefound atwww.artstamps.com/Fidelco.

HappyShopping!

North American Power, one of the nation’s fastest-growing retail electricity suppliers, has recently launched a bold commitment to corporate social responsibility: Mission to Millions.

As a Connecticut resident, you can switch to North American Power or invest in the company’s new Green-e® Energy certified 100% renewable energy option, American Wind. Choose the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation from the list of featured charities. Each month, North American Power will donate $1 to Fidelco, for as long as you are on the service, with an ultimate goal of donating millions to worthy causes that are powering change.

Over 160 people have already made the switch with Fidelco as their charity of choice. Sign up today and start saving on your electric bill while helping Fidelco receive funds to provide more of the highest quality German Shepherd Guide Dogs to men and women with visual disabilities.visitwww.napower.com/m2mtolearnmoreabouthowyoucanmakeadifference.

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The bonus: Fidelco receives 25% of the purchase price!

Think Mother’s Day and Father’s Day!

103 Vision WayBloomfield, CT 06002

Same road! Same location!NEW rOAD NAME

reflects Fidelco’s Mission!