guide dog news · though we suspect she will remain as busy as ever sharing her ... welcome to the...

JOY THOMAS AND

ROJA—READ THEIR

STORY, PAGE 6

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MKudos to GDB’s

Research and

Development Director

Michele Pouliot, recipient

of the Ken Lord Lifetime

Achievement Award. p2

Meet GDB alumna,

Board member, and

world traveler Melissa

Hudson of Los Angeles,

and her guide dog

Camry. p4

Get to know our

Admissions team, the

four-person crew

responsible for assisting

people with our school’s

application process. p5

GUIDE DOG NEWSThe Quarterly Publication of Guide Dogs for the Blind

2016 ISSUE 2

18396_GDN_2016 Issue 2_CC15.r1.indd 1 6/21/16 7:26 PM

Full Member

Guide Dogs for the Blind was

honored to send seven staff

members to represent our

organization at the recent

International Guide Dog

Federation Seminar in Hvar,

Croatia. They joined nearly

300 representatives from

schools in 34 countries. An

absolute highlight of the seminar was the awarding of the Ken

Lord Lifetime Achievement Award to GDB’s Research and

Development Director, Michele Pouliot. This award has only been

given to seven recipients since its inception, and is the highest

form of recognition from the international guide dog community.

It reflects the widespread acknowledgement of Michele’s

outstanding and enduring impact on our industry for pioneering

positive reinforcement techniques in guide dog training, and

possessing an indefatigable willingness to share her expertise

with schools around the world. Congratulations to Michele on

this well-deserved award, as well as her retirement last month,

though we suspect she will remain as busy as ever sharing her

insights and knowledge wherever she goes!

A NON-PROFIT, CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION

800.295.4050GUIDEDOGS.COM

National Office/California Campus:350 Los Ranchitos Road San Rafael, CA 94903

Oregon Campus:32901 S.E. Kelso Road

Boring, OR 97009

Officers Christine Benninger—President & CEO

Joan Boyd—ChairStuart Odell—Vice Chair

Sigrid Button—Vice Chair, PNWJay Harris—Vice Chair, Finance Stephen Mansfield—SecretaryCathy Martin—Treasurer & CFO

DirectorsLen Almalech

Bob BurkeRuth Ann DodsonMelissa Hudson

Deborah KendrickGeorge Kerscher

Tom KowalskiAndrew Mathieson

Jack ScottVon Summers

Todd Bradley, Advisor Photo Credits Morry Anne Angell - cover, p3, p5, p8 (bottom)Sara Cozolino Photography - p8 (top)David Hudson - p4Mark Liflander, LJ Studios Photography - p2Karen Woon - p2Submitted - p6, p7, p9, p10, p11

Guide Dogs for the Blind follows the guidelines recommended by the Council of U.S. Dog Guide Schools for the humane care and training of our dogs, and the instruction and services offered to our students and alumni.

Guide Dog News is published for the information of GDB supporters. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without permission from Guide Dogs for the Blind.

© Guide Dogs for the Blind

Please recycle this newsletter!

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KUDOS

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

GDB is excited to welcome two new additions

to our Board of Directors: Von Summers of

Portland, Ore., and Tom Kowalski (with his

guide dog Dynamo), of San Ramon, Calif. Also,

many thanks to outgoing Board Chair Bob Burke

for his years of leadership.


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Dear friends,

Welcome to the second issue of Guide Dogs News for 2016. We hope you are having a great

year thus far!

There are many wonderful people who help us fulfill our life-changing mission; we are so

thankful for the dedication and generosity of GDB’s campus volunteers, puppy raisers,

donors, alumni ambassadors, and our board members. We are also incredibly blessed to have

such amazing staff at our Oregon

and California campuses and in the

field throughout North America.

Our employees bring such passion,

commitment, and expertise to the

work they do; they also bring diverse

backgrounds to the table. We have

employees who have practically

grown up in our backyard and ones

that grew up half a world away;

employees whose experience runs

the gamut from alligator training

to corporate accounting (both

exciting!); employees who joined

us last week and those who have

worked here for forty years or more.

Michele Pouliot is one of those employees who has spent most of her career with us. She has

truly changed the game within the guide dog industry in so many ways. Read more about her

achievements on the opposing page—including recent recognition by the international guide

dog community.

We also celebrate our amazing Admissions team in this issue. These employees are often the

first point of contact for potential students serving as coaches, mentors, and more. See page

5 for more information about this knowledgeable and experienced group.

Wishing you all a wonderful summer!

Christine Benninger, President and CEO

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MELISSA RIVERS AND GDB PRESIDENT AND CEO CHRIS

BENNINGER ENJOY A PARTY AT CHRISTIE’S NEW YORK

CELEBRATING THE AUCTION OF JOAN RIVERS’ PRIVATE

COLLECTION. GDB IS THRILLED TO BE ONE OF TWO

CHARITIES RECEIVING A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS

FROM THE AUCTION AND ARE THANKFUL TO MELISSA

FOR CONTINUING HER FAMILY’S GENEROUS SUPPORT

OF OUR MISSION.


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Melissa Hudson of Los Angeles is a passionate

ambassador for GDB and works tirelessly

to change perceptions about blindness and

promote Guide Dogs for the Blind to potential

students, volunteers, donors, and beyond. This

passion stems not only from a lifelong love of

dogs but from the enhanced freedom she has

experienced through her guides. “My guide dog

Camry is so much more than ‘just a dog’—she’s

my best friend, my companion, my guardian

angel, my comic relief, my inspiration, my

get-up-and-go-explore-the-world pal!” Melissa

is particularly committed to conveying why GDB

stands out from other schools, namely that GDB

provides a lifetime of support to its grads. “I’m so proud to say that we will be there not only

for the lifetime of the team, but for the lifetime of the individual graduate,” she said.

Aside from being a Board member, Melissa is engaged with GDB in many ways. She and

her husband, David, have raised a guide dog puppy and remain active in their local puppy

club. They are also members of GDB’s Legacy Society. “I am always thrilled to have the

opportunity to thank people for the gift of my guide dog,” she said. “I recently had the

chance to host a luncheon in my area for Legacy members and special friends. It was

wonderful to fill a room of people from my hometown that all share a passion for GDB and

our life-changing mission. I am always overwhelmed to know that generous people choose to

make a difference impacting not only my life, but for the lives of people with vision loss for

many years to come.”

When Melissa isn’t busy fulfilling one of her many GDB roles, she has a host of interests. “I

love to travel, and I’ve been fortunate to visit all seven continents (with my guide dog in tow

to many of them!). Traveling allows me to learn and explore different cultures while breaking

stereotypes, especially about women who are blind. I’m also a bit of a ‘foodie.’ I love trying

out new restaurants and cooking up new recipes at home, but also love enjoying the unique

cuisines as we travel. It’s one of the simplest ways to understand a new place and culture.”

When asked about her dream job, Melissa responds: “Honestly, I’m living it now—being able

to spread the word about GDB! But if I have to come up with another answer, it would be

to host a TV show about traveling the world and eating my way through it—with my guide

Camry too of course!” Now, that’s a show we’d tune in for!

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MELISSA HUDSON

AND CAMRY


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At GDB, quite often the very first point of contact for someone who is applying for to our school is

a member of our Admissions Department. The team is comprised of Supervisor Ryan Garrett and

three program coordinators: Amy Vander Vennet, Megan Dameron, and Karen Clay.

“The Admissions Department’s primary responsibility is to assist people through the application

process and ensure our training classes are filled with qualified clients,” Ryan said. “In addition, we

are responsible for the equally important work of educating applicants who may not be qualified

currently, and empowering them to take the steps necessary to qualify for guide dog training in

the future. We also coordinate travel for clients coming to our campuses for training; produce

customized info binders for each of our students; process guide dog retirements; and are always

available to answer a wide variety of questions.”

Ryan’s prior experience includes

clinical cancer research at a

Veterans Affairs medical center,

as well as recruitment at a staffing

firm. Amy was previously a grief

counselor, as well as a puppy

raiser for Canine Companions for

Independence. “Working with

GDB clients through their journey

to train with a guide dog is so

special,” she said. “We often talk

with clients that are still adjusting

to their visual impairment. We

suggest services and provide

support. When a client comes into class we get to celebrate all their hard work and achievement.”

Karen came to us with experience in human resources, business ownership, and banking. She was

also a GDB volunteer. “Knowing we are truly changing lives each and every day is my favorite

thing about the job,” she said. Megan worked with marine mammals, large carnivores, and birds

of prey before joining GDB as a member of the Training Department; she received her guide dog

mobility instructor’s license in 2008. “I enjoy that I get to continue my relationships with clients

that I have worked with over the years as an instructor and get to meet new clients as they go

through the process,” Megan said.

“It is inspiring to think about the hundreds of staff and volunteers, on our campuses and out in the

field, all working together to make GDB great,” said Ryan, “and the Admissions team

members are all really happy to be a part of it.”

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FROM L TO R: AMY VANDER VENNET, MEGAN DAMERON,

RYAN GARRETT, KAREN CLAY


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GDB’S DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND

DEVELOPMENT MICHELE POULIOT

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GDB Alumna Joy Thomas truly

has a way with words. Not

only does she co-author the

successful Double Vision blog

(doublevisionblog.com) with

her twin sister Jenelle, but she

has also a master’s degree in

education, and taught English

at the middle school level for

five years. She uses her gift

to eloquently express her

gratitude for her guide dog,

Roja, to educate and inspire others who are considering the guide dog lifestyle, and to help

change perceptions about blindness. “Roja has been a major part of my journey,” she said.

“I would say that prior to Roja, I was surviving just fine, but now I feel like I am thriving. And

there is a big difference. Instead of spending a lot of time worrying about my mobility, I am

out there just living life—volunteering in my kids’ school activities, helping out neighbors, and

spending time with family and friends.”

Roja is Joy’s first guide and while she was eager to enhance her mobility and independence,

she admits she had a few doubts about getting a guide dog. “During cane training, I was

complaining to my mobility instructor about how cumbersome it felt and how I couldn’t walk

at the fast pace I wanted, and she mentioned that I might be a good candidate for a guide

dog,” Joy said. “I was very nervous about the idea of getting a guide dog. I had no experience

with animals, and I worried about having dog hair and slobber all over the house!”

Though the concerns about having a dog have faded away, Joy likens her first meeting with

Roja to an awkward first date. That awkwardness was short lived however, once they started

working together. “I felt as if I were flying. It was like picking the handle to my life back up.”

Joy values the emphasis GDB places on both sides of the harness noting, “From the

admissions team to the instructors to the veterinary staff to the in-home support, GDB really

cares about their teams.” Joy recently moved with her husband and two daughters from the

Chicago area to Orange County, Calif., and is grateful for the support she and Roja received

from GDB to adjust to her new environment. “Within three weeks of our move, GDB had a

field representative out helping us with our new routes.” We wish Joy, Roja, and family much

happiness in their new home and suspect they will be receiving many more visitors than they

ever imagined.

JOY THOMAS AND ROJA

WITH JOY’S FAMILY


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In May, members of the Colorado

Rocky Rovers GDB Alumni

Association chapter embarked on

an epic train to plane adventure.

The group met at Union Station in

downtown Denver for an excursion

to Denver International Airport on

a brand new commuter rail line

that opened in April. The group

was 69 people strong and included

GDB alumni and puppy raisers,

plus their families and friends, who

converged from as far away as

Fort Collins and Colorado Springs.

There were also 14 working

guide dogs and 20 GDB puppies

in training along for the fun. In

addition to the train ride, the group

got tours of both Union Station

and the airport train station from

Rapid Transit Denver employees,

and attended presentations on

security and accessibility by

Denver International Airport

personnel. They also got to check

out a new RTD ticket machine that

has both audible output and braille

instructions; go through a bag

check exercise with the dogs, and

review the airport’s animal relief

areas that are currently in design.

“It was an exciting day for all

attendees!” said Richard Faubion,

president of The Colorado Rocky

Rovers. Richard’s guide is black

Lab Parka.

Our grads are graduating!

Pictured is GDB alumnus

Patrick Mascarella who

received his master’s

degree in liberal arts from

Louisiana State University

this May, with his guide

dog, Pace, by his side.

“Wherever he went, Pace

was the hit of the class with both faculty and students—

especially when he snored during classes,” Patrick said.

Congrats to Patrick and Pace, and all of the new grads

out there!

ALU

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Doug Reber of Prescott, Ariz., loves to hit the hiking

trails with his guide dog, Bay. “Guide dogs can do way

more than guide us on city sidewalks and streets,”

he said. “Bay has opened up a whole new world and

experience for me and my family!”


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SLABS LIVE AT ANDREI’S

In March, GDB’s Orange County

Friends Committee hosted “Labs

Live at Andrei’s V,” which raised

more than $43,000 to support our

programs. The event was located

at Andrei’s Restaurant in Irvine,

Calif., where 135 guests enjoyed

a scrumptious lunch; a keynote address by GDB alumnus Gerald LeWinter with his guide dog,

Cascade, and a special puppy delivery. This was the tenth GDB fundraiser in Orange County by

the Committee; to date, the group (pictured above) has raised almost $300,000.

SAVE THE DATE

CANINE HEROES AUCTION

Saturday, September 24, 2016 | SF, CA

OREGON FALL LUNCHEON

Friday, November 4, 2016 | Portland, OR

FESTIVE HOLIDAY LUNCHEON

Thursday, December 1, 2016 | SF, CA

Visit guidedogs.com/events for info.

PINOT & PUPS

Auction paddles were flying at GDB’s 9th

annual Pinot & Pups fundraising auction

held in June at the Portland Art Museum.

A sold-out crowd of more than 300 guests

were thrilled to meet the many GDB dogs

and pups in attendance while enjoying a

reception featuring wine and beer from the

Pacific Northwest, followed by an elegant

dinner. There were both silent and live

auctions, and GDB alumna Joy Thomas, with

her guide dog Roja, provided the evening’s

keynote address. The event raised more

than $235,000; proceeds will benefit the

care and training of our canine heroes.

Thank you to all of our sponsors.

Companions: US Bank Charitable Services,

The William M. and Debra Gershen

Foundation. Buddies: NW Natural, OnPoint

Community Credit Union. Wine and Beer

Partners: Alexana Winery, Andrew Rich

Wines, Bergstrom Wines, DePonte Cellars,

Hair of the Dog Brewery, Elk Cove Winery,

Lange Estate Winery, Major Creek Wines.

RON RICHARDSON AND KATHY LEATHERS

ENJOY SOME PUPPY SNUGGLE TIME AT

PINOT & PUPS.


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LEGACY SOCIETY LUNCHEONS

Guide Dog for the Blind’s Legacy Society honors the generosity of those

who have chosen to include GDB in their estate plans. Their visionary

planning ensures that Guide Dogs for the Blind remains a world leader in

guide dog care and training for people who are blind and visually impaired.

Over the past several months, we have held luncheons for Legacy Society

members and their friends to honor and recognize their commitment to

our mission. The events help us continue to share our story; each luncheon

features a keynote address by a GDB graduate, and we always make sure

there are GDB puppies on hand at the luncheons held in locations where

we have puppy raising clubs. Our most recent Legacy Luncheons were held

near Sacramento at the North Ridge Country Club in Fair Oaks; in Southern

California at the Café del Rey in Marina del Rey, and in Northern California at

The City Club of San Francisco.

Legacy Society members Paul and Elaine Pennington hosted the

Sacramento-area luncheon, and Paul said it was a wonderful opportunity

to meet new friends who share in their support of GDB. “We had alumni

with their working guide dogs, puppy raisers, former breeder custodians,

volunteers, donors, and Legacy members all come together for this

luncheon,” he said. “GDB alumna Samantha Adams spoke of the grace she

experiences with her guide dog, Lotto, by her side. We were able to meet a

very young pup in training and learn of the new puppy raising innovations

and programs. It was a great day and a wonderful opportunity to thank

people who support Guide Dogs for the Blind.”

To learn more about the Legacy Society or become a member, please visit

guidedogs.com/plannedgiving.

Guide Dogs for the Blind is so fortunate to have many organizations that support us through independent

fundraising events. Most recently, Kiewit Infrastructure West held a golf tournament in the Napa Valley;

Hair of the Dog Brewery hosted a craft beer celebration in Portland, Ore.; Epic Steak presented its “High on

the Hog” soiree in San Francisco, and Tee Off for Dogs celebrated its 12th annual golf event in Irvine, Calif.

Proceeds from all of these events will benefit GDB’s life-changing mission. Thank you so much to these

supporters and others. We are so grateful to be the beneficiary of your generosity!

GUESTS AT OUR RECENT

LEGACY LUNCHEONS:

TOP—MARIANNE MEEK AND

JUDITH ANSHIN. MIDDLE—

ELLEN KIRK AND DANI HSAI.

BOTTOM —MARTHA AND

PETER PLANTE.


Legacy Society member and GDB alumna

Deb Swenson is a Minnesota attorney

and shareholder at one of the Midwest’s

largest entertainment law firms. She works

with a myriad of clients to preserve their

rights in bankruptcy and other commercial

litigation. Deb serves as primary counsel

with a network of local counsel throughout

the United States in virtually all state and

federal courts.

As she has told many people over the

years, she would not be the person she

is today, and would not have pursued a

career in law without Guide Dogs for the

Blind and her wonderful guides, Perro,

Janson, Kudo, and Samurai. In 1981, Deb

started losing her vision, and over a

three-month period became legally blind.

Deb says she was devastated by the

loss, which took not only her eye-sight

but her self-confidence and independence. Deb lost her job, lost her apartment, went on public

assistance, and moved into public housing. She was living in public housing when she received

her first guide dog, Perro in 1986. Perro opened the world for her. “He gave me more confidence

in myself than I had before losing my vision. I used to walk with my head down all of the time,

but from day one with Perro, I walked with my head held high. Perro and I were a team for eleven

years, and together we could do anything.”

In 1988, at the age of 34, she started at the University of Minnesota. After graduation she

continued to Stanford Law School and graduated in 1995 as president of her class. Perro was

with her for the first two years of private practice. She came back to GDB for all of her dogs and

gives credit to her field manager, training staff, nurses, and support staff. “Everyone whom I have

been in contact with at GDB has always been so caring and thoughtful to understand me and my

guides’ needs and make the perfect match for my lifestyle and personality. I would simply not be

who or where I am today if not for Guide Dogs for the Blind and the generosity of so many, many

people. I am thankful I can give back to GDB for all they have done for me. I am honored to be

included in the Legacy Society and listed as a member.”

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DEB SWENSON

AND SAMURAI


THANK YOU TO OUR NEW SUPPORTERS February 1-April 30, 2016

PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE—Honoring the generous major

donors who contribute $5,000 or more annually.

SOUL MATES: $100,000 +Dermetzis-Cano Family Petco Foundation

HEROES: $50,000-$99,999The Danford Foundation Estate of Samuel W. Parke

PARTNERS: $25,000-$49,999The Green FoundationCarolyn M. GrimmPeggy MillerSubaru of America, Inc. COMPANIONS: $10,000-$24,999 Alice Shaver FoundationDonald and Katharine EpsteinChristina FederleinLieselotte Schlago Area of Interest FundThomas W. LittleHilda NammAndrei Olenicoff Memorial FoundationSpark TherapeuticsMrs. Katrin TheodoliCharles and Beth Travers

Janet BerlincourtCarl and Jeanette BessentMrs. Shirley BohlingHerschell M. Byers, Jr.Marilyn Clotz and Mary Ann BeardenSue DishartSusan Dugger MathisonMr. Jack R. ErnstSusan Y. EsparciaMr. John FazioRussell and Peggy FergusonLynn and Jim FinkelsteinMr. Bob FossTom and Jill FreemanElizabeth A. Gard and Thomas J. FurlongJuanita GonzalezAlan and Janelle GrahamJoan GrovesMr. William C. HartmannBob and Kandia HeglandMs. Clara J. HermidaMr. and Mrs. Timothy L. HunterSally K. KaledSue KlabundeDaniel Kline

Ms. Theresa LaddMr. Warren LevineEllen LodwickSusan LudingtonSpring McManusJean McVickerNora NiesenMs. Elaine NisenoffAnne M. Parkinson and Edward ThumathLinda ProsserLinda RichardsonMaurice and Kathryn RichardsonCecile Y. RobertsLuba RossBarb RuddphMrs. Leanne ShireyMs. Dianne SimsFrans and Fred SimsonMr. Richard J. SmidMs. Sylvia StegallJerry and Martha SternDeb SwensonMr. Nelson E. TandocJudy TooleGenae WilsonMr. Robert D. Zimmerman

LEGACY SOCIETY—Recognizing the vision of

those who have included GDB in their estate plans.

GDB Oregon campus volunteer Meredith Taylor

learned about GDB from her mother, who had been

a longtime supporter. In addition to her volunteerism,

Meredith, a nurse, is also able to support GDB through

her employer, Kaiser Permanente. Thanks in part to

Meredith’s volunteer

hours, Kaiser’s KP Gives

employee volunteer

grants program has

awarded more than

$50,000 to Guide Dogs

for the Blind since 2012.

The KP Gives grants

program is a way to

promote volunteerism for

Kaiser employees. “We wanted to recognize employees

and their hard work—both in and out of the office,”

Kaiser’s Diane Whidden explained. “Our employees are

the best connections to our communities.”

Turning volunteer hours into a donation for GDB helps

expand our reach and educate more people about

the power of partnership. Companies such as Kaiser

Permanente want to support the organizations their

employees support, often through volunteer grants or

matching gift donations. Be sure to check with your

employer’s human resources department to learn if

your company offers volunteer grant or matching gift

programs—your support of GDB may be able

to go even further!MEREDITH

TAYLER

11

WORKPLACE GIVING

FRIENDS: $5,000 - $9,999Betty White Fan ClubCallan AssociatesDrill Tech Drilling & Shoring, Inc.Elizabeth A. Gard & Thomas J. FurlongMrs. Diana HirzelWarren and Cherelyn JohnsonMarshall and Mary Brondum Special Assistance Foundation, Inc Northwest Natural Gas CompanyKerry Ann Odell US Bank Charitable Services GroupWag Hotels


P.O. Box 151200

San Rafael, California

94915-1200

PAID

NONPROFIT ORG

U.S. POSTAGE

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

• SEND A DONATION TODAY Please use our mailing address for donations only: Guide Dogs for the Blind, P.O. Box 3950, San Rafael, CA 94912-3950. You can also donate online: guidedogs.com.

• ELIMINATE CHECKS/POSTAGE Direct your bank to automatically transfer your donation.

• MAKE AN HONOR OR MEMORIAL GIFT Pay tribute to a friend, relative, or pet; cards of celebration or sympathy will be sent in your name.

• CREATE A LEGACY IN YOUR ESTATE Name GDB in your will, trust, or as a beneficiary of your annuity, life insurance policy, IRA, or retirement plan. We honor such commitments with membership in our Legacy Society.

• DESIGNATE YOUR GIFT Designate your donation to go toward a specific GDB program. Contact us for more info.

Guide Dogs for the Blind will, on

occasion, share donor information with

like-minded non-profit organizations in

an effort to better fulfill our mission and

serve our clients. If you do not wish to

have your information shared, please

call our Development Department at

800.295.4050 extension 4160 or email

us at [email protected].

DMS

!GIFT ANNUITY PROPOSALq How would a charitable gift annuity work for me? (Minimums: age 50, $5,000 gift)

My birthdate: ___________ My spouse’s birthdate: ___________

Sample gift amount: q $5,000 q $10,000 q $25,000 q Other: $ ___________

Name: ____________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________

Phone: _______________________ Email: ______________________________

Return to Joan Scott, Planned Giving Coordinator

Guide Dogs for the Blind, P.O. Box 151200, San Rafael, CA 94915-1200

800.295.4050, ext. 4073

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY = Income for your life, and a gift to Guide Dogs for the Blind

Want to learn more? Simply complete and send us the coupon below,

or visit us online at guidedogs.com/plannedgiving.


guide dog news · though we suspect she will remain as busy as ever sharing her ... welcome to the...

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