www.fidosforfreedom.org Fidos Speaks Providing Independence 1987 - 2010

Vol. 18 No. 1 An information exchange serving clients, supporters and volunteers of Fidos For Freedom, Inc. Winter 2009/2010

Inside this issue:Reflections on Fidos 2Joseph Richey Hospice 3CFC Kickoff 3Wolf Park 4Auntie Lauren 5Back to School 6Service Dog to Service Dog 7

ClassesDrop-in Puppy ClassWednesdays: 7:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. “open to the public”; contact puppies@fidosforfreedom.org for more information

Drop-in “for fun” Agility Class Wednesdays: 6:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.

Flyball Fridays: 7:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m

It is the vision of this organization to improve the quality of life and provide companionship to the residents of our local community through specially trained Hearing Dogs, Service Dogs and Therapy Dogs.

An Assistance Dogand Therapy Dog

Training Organization

Assistance Dogs International 2009 Trainer’s Conference

By Ann Dunn

October 4, 2009, Sherri Sirotkin, Colleen Doman and I, along with Assistance-Dog-In-Training, Ruby,

arrived at the Aspen Lodge, in Estes Park, Colorado, to attend the 2009 ADI Trainer’s Conference. Sister Pauline Quinn OP also attended the conference, sharing our cabin, along with her Service Dog, Reni.

At 8:00 a.m. on Monday, October 5, approx-imately eighty trainers from various Assistance Dog International programs were welcomed by the Executive Director of Freedom Service Dogs, the host program for the conference. The agenda for this conference was packed with speakers providing information on sub-jects and training techniques to benefit all the attendees. At 8:15 a.m. our first speaker began and we were off and running. Topics during the first day included evaluating clients that have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; Service Dogs for Autism presented by Dr. Temple Grandin; Training Service Dogs for Autism, including specific tasks to assist clients with autism. By 5:00 p.m. our minds were spinning with all the information we had been given during the day. After dinner, we viewed a video on Court-room Facility Programs that are training dogs to assist in helping children and adults who, as victims, must testify prior to and in court pro-ceedings. The dog provides comfort and sup-port for the victim during their testimony. At 7:30 p.m. we had several games for the dogs in attendance to enjoy (along with their compan-ions)! Ruby, the Assistance-Dog-In-Training I brought to the conference, came in second in one of those games.

After the games were over we did some networking with other trainers from various programs and then it was off to bed - for

round two of the conference was to begin at 8:00 a.m. the next morning.

For the first two hours of day two we attend-ed four different break-out sessions. The top-ics included teaching the dog bracing, bed-time tasks that dogs can do to assist their partner, in-training dog evaluation and counter-balanc-ing. We all agreed that we came away from this session with new ideas to share with our fellow trainers at Fidos. We then had a presentation on Nutrition for the Canine Athlete present-

ed by a veterinarian. After lunch, we listened to topics and demonstrations on emergency tasks, and helping with dressing and undress-ing. By the end of day two, we had a folder full of information to take back to Fidos to share with our fellow trainers.

Attending the Trainer’s Conference pro-vides each program’s attendees an opportu-nity to discuss the challenges and successes that we face in working to produce Assis-tance Dogs that are the best they can be to help their partners.

Upcoming EventsTux and Tail Gala

Saturday, April 10, 2010Laurel Racetrack in the

Carriage RoomRoute #198, Laurel MD

Read more online at www.fidosforfreedom.org

Fidos Speaks

Sherri Sirotkin, Colleen Doman, Sr Pauline Quinn OP, & Ann Dunn in the Aspen Lodge at the ADI Trainer’s

Conference in Estes Park, CO.Co

urte

sy A

nn D

unn

Page 2 Fidos Speaks Winter 2009/2010

Notes from the Board

By Sherri G. Sirotkin, President

For those of you that have been involved with Fidos for a long time, (more than 5 or 6 years), I am sure you have no-

ticed the many changes that have occurred in our programs, particularly with regard to the Therapy Dog Program. The number of therapy teams has grown, the number of sites we visit has grown, and the locations of our visits have expanded. Where we used to have visits primarily in Howard County and Montgomery County, you can now see Fidos in the Annapolis area, Baltimore City and some Baltimore County locations. This is a reflection of the change in demographics of our volunteer base.

There have also been changes in the Assistance Dog Program. When I start-ed volunteering with Fidos, we only accepted pure bred dogs from known breed-ers, so we would know the parentage and health his-tory. Now, although we still use mostly pure bred dogs, we also use dogs from shelters and rescues. From the shelters and rescues we have got-ten good, solid dogs that love their work and we have saved some lives in the process.

Now, there are more new things happen-ing. Two years ago, at the first Board of Directors off-site retreat, the board discussed the need to expand our client base and in-crease our services to stay abreast of the in-dustry, or risk becoming obsolete. Moving outside of our comfort zone can be a scary proposition for a volunteer based organiza-tion with limited resources for puppy raisers and trainers. However, after much research and consideration our training department is carefully embarking on new adventures.

We have just placed our first Skilled Com-panion Dog; a dog that has all the skills of a Service Dog, but will not go out in public. This dog will work in the home with a client whose medical condition does not allow her to go out of the house very often, and will

help to give her more independence and a better sense of security when she is home and her family is not.

In the future you may see us placing dogs in courthouses to work with children who have been victims of abuse, or you may see us training dogs to work with returning veterans needing assistance with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or dogs that work with chil-

dren with autism and their families. Each of these “jobs” require special and different tem-peraments and skills from our dogs.

We are still committed to training dogs to be Service Dogs for the mobility impaired, or Hearing Assistance Dogs for those that are deaf or hard of hearing, but in the future the dogs will have more career options at Fi-dos. These are exciting changes and expand our ability to help these special dogs use their skills. Stay tuned as we continue to grow.

Thank you for all you do for Fidos For Freedom. We couldn’t do it without you!

Fidos SpeaksVol. 18 No. 1

Fidos For Freedom, Inc. (Fidos) is a non-profit organization engaged in the training of Hearing Dogs and Service Dogs to assist persons with disabilities and providing Therapy Dog visits to area healthcare facilities. Fidos also participates in public education demonstrations and government programs to aid persons with disabilities.

For more information, contact:Fidos For Freedom, Inc

P.O. Box 5508Laurel, Maryland 20726Phone: (410) 880-4178 (301) 490-4005Fax: (301) 490-9061MD Relay: (800) 201-7165

Web site: www.fidosforfreedom.orgE-mail: office@fidosforfreedom.orgExecutive Director: Joe SwetnamOffice Manager: Barbara DiSimoneDirector of Training: Pat JarvisDirector of Client Services: Sandy BallDirector of Volunteer Services: Laurie HardyDirector of Development: Frances WilliamsDirector of Community Education: Sharon TuckerNewsletter Editor: Kim BlankenshipNewsletter Staff: Andrea Barrett, Tracy Bowman, Andrew Chaloupka, Fran Crull, Katrin Daly, Cydney Delia, Barbara DiSimione, Colleen Doman, Ann Dunn, Pam Loeb, Denise Portis, Sherri SirotkinNewsletter Designer: Sarah L.G. BreedenStaff Photographers: Jim Fenn, Bryan Sirotkin, Andy WeisburgerBookkeeper: Anne WeldonBoard of Directors:

President: Sherri SirotkinSecretary: Pamela LoebTreasurer: Jane HarfordBoard Members:

Tracy BowmanJudy CannonDarrell (Bear) HummerRebecca Sosa

Copyright 2010 Fidos For Freedom, Inc. Material in this publication may not be reprinted or reused in any way without express permission from the Board of Directors. A copy of our current financial statement is available upon request by contacting Fidos For Freedom, Inc. Documents and information submitted to the State of Maryland under the Maryland Charitable Solicitations Act are available from the Office of the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 for the cost of copying and postage.Fidos For Freedom would like to thank all those involved at DigiLink, 840 South Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304-4606, for their contributions in making this newsletter possible.

Sherri Sirotkin & Carol Davis, Director of Training for Paws’itive Teams, enjoying dinner at the Conference

Reflections on Fidos Past, Fidos Present, & Fidos Future

Phot

o by

Ann

Dun

n

Upcoming EventsAnnual Golf Tournament

Monday, May 17, 2010Glen Dale Golf Club

11501 Old Prospect Hill Road Glen Dale, MD 20769

Winter 2009/2010 Fidos Speaks Page 3

A Look at Joseph Richey Hospice: The Two Halves of a Therapy Dog Team

By Cydney Delia

As I opened the cheer-ful yellow door so that my dog Tela and I could

enter the house, stillness spilled out onto the hot Baltimore side-walk. I tightened my grip on her leash—a sign to settle down—and came into the foyer with the decorum I thought appropriate for a house with a chapel in place of a living room. No other ther-apy-dog teams in sight, we hesi-tantly made our way to the very large, serious looking man work-ing at the front desk. As we ap-proached, his straight eyebrows arched kindly, and he informed us, “You must be with the other dogs. They just went upstairs to the second floor.” With Tela pulling slightly against the restraint of her leash, we made our way to the elevator.

Just as the doors opened and we found the other teams, two nurses qui-etly rounded the corner of the hallway. They instantly brightened and smiled: “Oh, aren’t they good dogs! The patients in rooms 1, 4, 7, 11 and 12 want to visit with the dogs. The man in room 4 loves dogs. They’re just so good!” I eased up on the leash and let Tela move closer to

the women so that they could pet her. A few of the dogs showed off their tricks, and then we paired off; Andy and his dog Jordan, and Tela and I, approached the door of our first visit.

Carefully approaching so not to wake anyone, we looked and knocked and asked, “Would you like to visit with the dogs?” Mr. Lowry* was the first person I met at Joseph Richey Hospice. He wasn’t so sure about petting the dogs, but he did want to see their tricks—Jordan of-fered his paw and Tela rolled over. And Mr. Lowry wanted to talk. So we talked about the last election and about his fam-

ily. Through each door we entered, and with each broken silence, faces softened, eyes gleamed, and conversations started.

Joseph Richey is a visit unlike others I have made. With usually less than ten people taking visits, there is time to slow down, time to notice—maybe a book, or a cross-word, or a picture of the presi-dent—and time to begin a con-versation. I have the opportunity to learn about the people that Tela and I are visiting, their histories, and their interests. On this visit, I am more than a person attached to the end of my dog’s leash; I am the

human half of my Therapy Dog team.Joseph Richey Hospice (www.jo-

sephricheyhospice.org) is located in the heart of Baltimore at 838 North Eutaw Street, across from Maryland General Hos-pital. The organization provides hospice care to those who might not otherwise be able to afford it, and it is working toward opening the first hospice for children on the east coast of the US. If you are inter-ested in joining this visit, sign up in Volgis-tics, and please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions: cdelia@ubalt.edu.

*Name changed

From left to right: Andy Weisburger & Jordan, Sally Fuller & Bogie, Susan Weisburger & Mackie, Kelly Fleshman & Coty, Julie Wu & Diesel, Catherine Angelo & Sydney, Debbie Taylor & Nickolas.

Cour

tesy

And

y W

eisb

urge

r

It is Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) kickoff season again. This

is a payroll deduction program for federal employees, where they have a choice of nearly 4,000 charities to donate to. Fidos has been fortunate to be invited to various kickoff events, where we have an opportunity to share our story in person.

This particular event was a little un-usual, because it came about due to a se-ries of fortunate coincidences. Our vol-unteer, Christine Van Bemmel, is also a member of Toastmasters. She had done a talk about Fidos for Toastmasters. One of her fellow Toastmasters (Jeremy)

works for the US Marshals Service, and wanted to invite a dog-related charity to their kickoff. Jeremy remembered Chris-tine’s talk, and asked her if Fidos would come to their event. Christine forwarded his note to me, and off we went!

Not many of the employees noticed George and Max and Ben and I at the front of the room, so I asked if we could do a short presentation. They handed me a mic and off we went, sharing the Fidos story. Several em-ployees came up to us at the end to ask about becoming volunteers in var-ious capacities, so it appears a good time was had by all.

CFC KickoffBy Pam Loeb

Pam Loeb & Ben, George Stephens & Max at US Marshals Office in Crystal City, VA at CFC event.

Phot

o by

Rob

ert

Mar

covi

ci

Page 4 Fidos Speaks Winter 2009/2010

Fidos Trainers Attend Seminar At Wolf ParkBy Tracy Bowman

From time to time, the Assistance Dog trainers at Fido’s find it nec-essary to stretch our “training

muscles,” and to that end, we occasion-ally pursue extramural activities. In Sep-tember 2009, to help us get a greater un-derstanding of our work, Mary Austin, Kim Blankenship, Tracy Bowman, Col-len Doman and Christine Van Bemmel traveled to Wolf Park, a nonprofit edu-cation and research facility located in In-diana. Wolf Park was established in 1972 by Dr. Erich Klinghammer, whose work has contributed a great deal to a better understanding of wolf pack dynamics and social structures. While at Wolf Park we attended a seminar: “The Elemental Animal: Questions & Answers from the Core of Being” led by Pat Goodmann, Wolf Park’s research associate since 1974 and Suzanne Clothier, a noted author and dog trainer who takes a relationship-based approach to dog training.

During our visit we were encouraged to: respect each animal as a sentient crea-ture, focus on the animal’s world (which senses it prefers, what energizes it, what frightens it), and to consider the impact of our actions and desires on the animals. Suzanne walked us through observations of three dogs to discover their ‘umwelt,’ i.e., to discover what is important and significant in their world, and to interpret their behavior as a guide to their orienta-tion towards their world. During the dis-cussion Kim remarked: “Suzanne’s regard for each dog helped me see each personal-ity independent of human expectation..” Christine echoed: “Suzanne’s ability to

modulate body posture and to detect nu-ances is phenomenal. She helped me see more than I normally would have.”

Ms. Goodman’s lecture was followed by guidance on wolf behavior drawn from her decades of research (see Good-mann, P.A., E. Klinghammer, and J. Wil-lard. 2002. Wolf Ethogram (Ethology Series, No. 3). Eckhard H. Hess Institute of Ethology: Battle Ground, IN). After detailed instructions, we were ready to apply, what we had learned about dog and wolf behavior through up-close personal observations of the wolves, to working with our dogs. Wolf Park has developed a method to hand-rear wolf pups so their normal flight instinct is eliminated, and at the same time, they are trained to tolerate the presence of peo-ple. But make no mistake–these wolves are not dogs. On the other hand, dogs have evolved alongside humans and have developed a wide range of behaviors to skillfully interact with our species.

We entered the seven acre wolf en-closure with varying levels of unease and met Wolfgang, Wotan, Ruedi, and Renki. “Wolves test new people to figure out where they fit into the pack,” Tracy confides. “They were not aggressive, but the absence of a typical dog greeting was unsettling, especially when paired with an almost clinical groin sniff! We were warned this would happen, and to

set boundaries by moving them off this activity.” Christine adds: “Staff kept an eye on wolves and people, distracting the wolves when they got overly interested in one person over another.” Colleen said of the experience: “How different they are from the dog packs we live with! The wolves had no particular interest in our wants, and often used people in the en-closure to influence pack politics.” Mary concurs: “Watching wolf body language was the same, yet different than watch-ing dogs. Wolves are capable of a whole range of emotions, and indeed, conflict-ing emotions, but it seemed clearer and purer than it does in a typical group of dogs.” Tracy recalled a specific instance: “The most subordinate wolf decided to lie at my feet. Immediately, it became a resource, and the more dominant wolves rushed over to argue about their right to it. I decided that this particular ‘resource’ needed to be out of the equation!” Kim added: “Initially, I felt anxious with the quick, short breathing, but I practiced the techniques Suzanne described, and con-sciously relaxed my muscles and slowed my breath rate. Wolves and humans – we are both animals, and a lot can be dis-cerned from the physical manifestation of just these biological processes.”

Back outside the enclosure, our semi-nar continued. Suzanne led an exercise

Renki, a five year old wolf at Wolf Park.

Regina Keane, Pete Macek, Melissa Stanton, Ryan Talbot, Carolyn Andrejcak, Peggy Kessanti, Pat Goodmann, Tracy Bowman, Susan Fishbein, Suzanne Clothier with her little friend, Colleen Doman,

Karen Wampler, Christine Van Bemmel, Mary Austin, Leslie Marlin, Beth Line, Laurie Keenan, Jennifer Rockenbaugh, Dee Wilusz, Kim Blankenship, Chris Albert Carnes, Malte Roessner.

Phot

o by

Mon

ty S

loan

, Wol

f Pa

rk s

taff

pho

togr

aphe

r

continued on following page

Phot

o Co

lleen

Dom

an

Winter 2009/2010 Fidos Speaks Page 5

Auntie LaurenBy Fran Crull

Fidos’ annual Calendar Sales Days bring us more than just funds, they bring in new volunteers as well. In 2004 they brought us one of the hardest working volunteers that

we have—Lauren Duff.Pippin: Hey, you’re talking about my favorite “auntie” in the

whole world—Auntie Lauren. Auntie Lauren is my best friend and I am her favorite dog! She is very perceptive. Not only does she know that I am the bestest dog in the world, she knows the sad truth that I just don’t get enough petting at home. Best of all she knows just where to scratch my neck and just the right amount of extra treats that I need to stave off hunger pangs.

Lauren first heard about Fidos at a calen-dar sales booth at Giant Food. Like many of us, she couldn’t walk past the booth without stopping to pet the dogs. Soon she was learning about Fidos’ Therapy and As-sistance Dog teams. Even though she didn’t have a dog at the time, Lauren signed up and started working.

Max: And I’m the one you can thank! After all, I’m the one that introduced her to Fidos. I batted my golden eyes at her at a calendar sales day and she fell in love. She joined Fidos just to see more of me! My sor-rowful eyes told her that there were dogs in need of extra treats and pets and maybe some new bones. Mmmm. I know that she decided to volunteer with Fidos just to right these wrongs. I am her favorite dog! I’m the one that she brings extra treats to.

Soon after she came on board, Lauren adopted a beautiful American Bull Dog named Milo. Milo was practically raised at Fidos as they learned the ropes together. They became an active Therapy Dog team. In time, they took their turn selling calendars and recruiting new volunteers.

Milo: Let’s face it guys, I’m her favorite dog and I always will be. Even though I live with nephew Andy now, I’m the one she travels the farthest to see. We did the best visits ever. Everyone came out to see me!

Remembering the anxieties of new Therapy Dog teams, Lau-ren makes a special effort to smooth the way for them. She is

often the first “caller” that many of the new TD teams see, and she has a knack for making everyone feel welcome and wanted.

Lena: You boys are wrong! I am Auntie Lauren’s favorite dog and Auntie Lauren is my best friend. I may be a newcomer to the scene, but I am the one who did all of the leg work train-ing her in treat protocols! I’m the one that convinced her to keep giving me treats until I ‘learned’ to take them gently. That

took a lot of concentration on my part!It’s probably her years of teaching ex-

perience that have taught her how to use humor to keep the handlers focused and inventive games to keep their dogs inter-ested. Lauren’s contributions help mold raw handler/dog twosomes into well-oiled Therapy Dog teams.

Pippin: Hah. She’s just there to see ME! She’s made a date with me once a week, just to make sure that my needs are met. She has cleverly arranged for my primary assistant to rendezvous with her after my second afternoon nap on Wednesdays.

In an organization that is hallmarked by ex-traordinary volunteer effort, Lauren has been a standout. She’s made a significant personal commitment by taking on time-consuming jobs like party planning, rewarding us with a

festive Halloween Party and the new Winter Solstice celebration. Her people skills have contributed to Fidos in many ways—from staffing information booths, to participating in dog evaluations, to assisting in the Handler’s Training Class.

Max: No, no she’s not coming to help people, she’s com-ing to give me more treats. That’s why she leads the parade every week. She swoops in and makes our mommies dance in a circle. Then we get pets, praise and when the dance was really good, we get treats. Sometimes Auntie Lauren even sprinkles treats on the ground for us.

Lauren’s outstanding and ongoing efforts provide a much-need-ed service to the Fidos’ community. She’s an excellent example of just how important each volunteer is to our organization.

Lena: Those treats are mine! All mine!Lauren helps all of us do what we do, better.

Lauren & Lena.

Phot

o by

Jim

Fen

n

designed to improve our diagnostic and analytical skills by simulating a telephonic client consult on dog behavior. Suzanne emphasized the necessity of building an accurate mental picture (‘movie in your head’) so you can offer effective solu-tions to problem behavior. Christine ob-served: “This exercise was fascinating – both teams constructed a ‘story’ about a

dog and client….while those stories were rich and on the emotional side, we often missed the things that we would have seen if a camera was telling the story.”

Admittedly, we gained the ‘wow factor’ of having met and touched wolves, but how has it impacted us as trainers? “Ask-ing our therapy/assistance dogs how it is for them is crucial,” observes Mary. “We require them to do things that aren’t natural for them, and we must look to

improve their situation.” Colleen said: “I need to read my dog’s body language to better respond to her perceived reality. Also, I need to wait for behavior instead of creating it, patience isn’t a virtue, it’s a requirement.” Kim sumed it up: “It is essential to honor the answers I receive, and believe that the animal’s actions re-flect the truth of its reality, in order to be certain our work together will respect the animal.”

continued from previous page

Page 6 Fidos Speaks Winter 2009/2010

Back to SchoolBy Chloe, Fidos For Freedom Hearing Assistance Dog

Denise and I were shopping at Wal-mart and I heard her say, “I need Post-It notes so let’s go

down this school supply aisle, Chloe.” It was really crowded with harried em-

ployees putting out school supplies. One employee was up on a ladder retrieving things from a box up above. He dropped a 12-pack of pencils. Denise didn’t hear it hit the floor of course, so I stopped to pick it up to bring to her. She looked down and saw me and said, “Good girl, Chloe.” I pick up things that she drops and bring them to her a lot. I have heard her keys fall twice in the parking lot!

Two employees stepped over with their eyes big and their mouths open.

“Wow,” said one woman. “Can we have her?” said

another man. Denise just smiled and

handed them the pencils. She kept shopping; after all, we were after Post-It notes!

Denise talks to me all the time because I’m an impor-tant part of her life. She asked me if I realized that school was getting ready to start. I had no idea! I was so excited to hear that, I started to wag my tail so that she would understand how thrilled I am! I just love school!

Denise works part-time as a high school teacher at Chieftain Institute in Montgomery County. I just love to go to school! There are human puppies everywhere, in all shapes and sizes! De-nise gets there a little early so that she can make copies in the office. This is the most boring part of my school day. I have to sit quietly out of the way unless Denise drops her pen or a paper slides off her stack. I have learned how to pick up papers without tearing them. This was really hard at first because I kept step-ping on the edge of the paper when I tried to pick it up. I give Denise dropped papers with ZERO tears now! I’m pretty proud of myself because papers lay very flat on tile floors! Sometimes the Direc-

tor comes in to say hello. I just love the Director, and she loves me! She and I are good friends because Denise was already her friend. Sometimes Denise takes my vest off so that I can say hello to the Di-rector.

After Denise finishes her work in the office we usually go take a walk if it is nice. There are woods all around the

campus, so sometimes I spy a bunny or a deer. Denise says this is my recess time. I’m not sure what that means, but I really have a lot of fun on our twenty minute walks!

I get so excited when class is getting ready to start! I can always tell because we start walking towards the classrooms in the trailer behind the main building. Students walk down the handicap ramp and Denise and I stand to the side to let them pass. I wag my tail at them and they all say hello to me. They know they can’t pet me, but I am totally OK with friendly “hello’s!” After they pass by, Denise and I head into the building to her classroom. Denise always spreads out my pink mat so that I know where my place is. If she drops a dry erase marker or eraser I am right there to pick it up for her. She drops her pencil a great deal too, but I don’t mind be-cause this is part of my job. Denise sets a kitchen timer that I have been trained

to alert to in order to be the “school bell” for her classes. She sets it 5 min-utes before the bell rings so that she has time for last minute announcements. When it goes off, I let her know that it has started beeping by going to the timer and then going to her with a great deal of enthusiasm! I’m pretty enthusi-astic about everything!

Denise will say, “What is it, Chloe?”

This is my cue to take her to the timer that is going off. She praises me like crazy and I feel needed. She doesn’t want her students to be late for the next class, and since they don’t want to go to Al-gebra they might just stay all afternoon if Denise didn’t know that time was up!

At the end of the day De-nise is really tired. She drops things more often so I have to really pay attention. I even help her roll up my pink mat so that she doesn’t have to reach as far for it. Her Me-niere’s disease makes it hard to go all the way to the floor.

On August 31st, we had our annual “Back to School Night”. I met all of Denise’s new students in her Level One class. Some of them weren’t sure what to make of me, but Denise explained ev-erything. I can tell there are some “dog people” in the group. Maybe they will come and say hello to me during my re-cess!

I also met with Denise’s Level Three students. I have known them for two whole years, and this is my third year with them. I was really excited to see familiar faces and they were really glad to see me too! We took a class picture. Denise likes to take pictures. She always says, “Say cheese!”

I’ve never found cheese ANYWHERE when she says this!

I’m so glad school has started back! Denise couldn’t teach if I wasn’t with her, and she is a really great teacher! I’m glad she can continue doing what she loves because I’m her Assistance Dog!

Chloe & Denise, amid enthusiastic members of Chloe’s fan club.

Phot

o by

Kat

hlee

n Bu

rns

Winter 2009/2010 Fidos Speaks Page 7

Need an Assistance Dog or Know Someone Who Does?Applicants for an Assistance Dog must meet the following requirements:

Live within a 75-mile radius of Laurel, MD• Be at least 18 years of age•Beabletophysically,financiallyandemotionally • meet the needs of one of these very special dogs Provide the dog with ample opportunity to perform • the skills it has been trained to do

To request an application or for more information, call or e-mail:

Voice: (410) 880-4178, MD Relay: (800) 201-7165E-mail:clients@fidosforfreedom.orgPh

oto

by A

nn D

unn

Fetching for the non-Retriever:The last time we were able to

communicate I shared with you that unless you are a dog with retriever in your breed name, fetching is not the end all most fantabulous, bestest thing in the world to do. Even though there is no logical reason to pick up something that doesn’t taste good, isn’t rotten, squeaks or is chewable. Here’s how to under-stand it or at the very least work the system so you get lots of the really good treats.

Let’s face it, we all fetch. How many times have you been in the mood for a few good, fast dog laps around the house, or you’ve been out in the yard, ran the perimeter, gathered all the new news your nose needs to know and you’re still bored. This is when every one of us reaches for our favorite dry crusty ball or gutted squeak toy and we begin the “ya know ya wanna throw this” dance in front of a soon-to-be-willing audience. We all like this, and it’s fun.

Then there is the fetch (or retrieve) that they want us to do for them. Not as much fun … or is it? The retrievers seem to think so. They all can’t be wrong. Yes, there is the satisfaction of making

humans happy and helping them out in a pinch. If you are asking yourself - “what’s in it for me” - the quick an-swer is FOOD. Yep, some people like to express their appreciation for our good deeds with a click and a treat. If you pace yourself, you can get lots of treats for doing the trick and getting a click. Unlike retrievers, (they just can’t help themselves), some of us other breeds or blended breeds can hold out, give them the “huh? I don’t get it?” face and get lots more treats. It’s a beautiful thing and everyone is happy. The weird part about it is at some point you will realize there is no more food, but you still feel really happy about what you have done and can’t wait to help them again.

Service Dog to Service Dog – More Things They Won’t Teach You

By Patti

Ready to Roll!

Phot

o by

Kim

Bla

nken

ship

We Need Puppy Raisers!

Duringthefirstyearoftraining, a Puppy Raiser attends weekly classes at the Fidos Training Center to learn how to teach the puppy good household manners and socialize the puppy to peopleanditsenvironment.(A Fidos Sponsor pays for the care of the puppy during thisperiod.)Thepuppystaysin the Puppy Raiser’s home for about one year prior to entering the next phase of itstraining.Ifyouwouldlikemore information about being a Puppy Raiser, please contact Fidos by sending an e-mail to: puppies@fidosforfreedom.org.

Cham

p pi

cs O

ct 2

008

- D

onat

ed b

y Su

ndaz

e

Kenn

els

- Ph

oto

take

n by

Joa

nne

Wils

on

ASS

ISTA N C E DO

GS

I N

T E R N A T I O N

AL

NONPROFITU.S. POSTAGE PAID

LAUREL, MDPERMIT NO. 4368

P.O. Box 5508Laurel, MD 20726

The mission of Fidos For Freedom, Inc. is to increase the quality of life of people living in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Community through the use of specially trained Hearing Dogs, Service Dogs and Therapy Dogs.

An Assistance Dogand Therapy Dog

Training Organization

If the symbols ## appear on your mailing label, this is your last issue. Please contact Fidos to continue this service.

Fidos For Freedom, Inc., is proud to be an accredited voting member of Assistance Dogs International.Please remember to designate Fidos For Freedom, Inc., in your workplace giving campaign.

Federal workers in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)Combined Federal Campaign: CFC # 41908

Maryland State employees in the Maryland Charity Campaign (MCC)Maryland Charity Campaign: MCC # 2605

United Way Write-in: “Fidos For Freedom, Inc.”Fidos is an

Assistance DogsInternational

Accredited Facility

Phot

o by

And

rea

Barr

ett