May-September Newsletter

Summer Internship

            This summer I was privileged to be an intern at Guide Dogs for the Blind for two weeks and to be able to stay with an awesome person (who is on the staff) while I was there. I had an experience of a lifetime that I will never forget. I was able to do and see so many things that really gave me a different perspective as a puppy raiser.

            On my first day, I was very excited and nervous, but as soon as I was assigned to Kennel 1 and met my mentor, some of the dog care assistants (DCA), instructor assistants (IA), and the instructors, I felt right at ease. A normal day in a kennel would begin right at 8 am when the trainers let the dogs out to play in community run while we clean the inside of the kennel. At 8:30, we fed all the dogs, picked up the bowls, and cleaned them. Then there was “quiet work” (where we would keep the dogs quiet while the trainers take their dogs out and load them in their vans). Then the rest of the day consisted of community run (which we did about three times a day), medicated dogs that needed it, and did checklist things that they do weekly, such as; grooming, teeth brushing, cleaning ears, and body checks. There is also a cuddling checklist, so if we had some time to spare, we could cuddle with some of the dogs. Since A.J, Luana, and Dee were in my kennel, I got to spend some time playing with them.          

My experience as an intern exceeded my expectation. I was able to eat lunch at the dormitory with the students and their dogs.  I also went out with my mentor to downtown San Rafael to watch the trainers work with their dogs. One of my favorite things I got to do was being blindfolded and guided by a guide dog named “Rocket” (no he didn’t live up to his name). Before I got to use “Rocket”, I had to do “Juno” work first. “Juno” work is where someone (the supervisor in this case) holds at one end of the harness while you hold the other end, and he guides you around so you can learn the proper footwork and language. After I accomplished that, I worked with “Rocket” who was a little slow but did very well! I was nervous at first, thinking I would mess up his training, but he gave me full confidence and towards the end I got used to walking with him. Now I have more of an understanding of how the visually impaired must feel while being guided by a dog and how much courage it takes to trust this dog, a companion, with your life and how much team effort it takes. I definitely recommend doing an internship at Guide Dogs for the Blind, even if you are only slightly interested, you should go for it because you will get a lot out of it!

~Submitted by: Mollie N.

Think About It

Raisers were asked a series of questions, and were told to answer truthfully and to the best of their knowledge. See if your answers may be similar to theirs. Enjoy!!

Name:

Chloe B.

Kristina L.

Lauren W.        

How old were you when you started raising Guide Dog Puppies?

Chloe: 11

Kristina: 8

Lauren: 13

How old are you now?

Chloe: 15, 16 in Nov.

Kristina: 13

Lauren: 17

How many puppies have you raised?

Chloe: 2

Kristina: 4

Lauren: 2

In one word describe what you think of each breed.

A.) Lab B.) Golden C.) Shepherd

Chloe: a.) loyal b.)overdramatic c.)Challenging

Kristina: a.) easy going b.) lovable c.) energetic

Lauren: a.)Body-slammer b.)Hairy c.)chicken

Name your favorite Guide Dog meeting?

Chloe: Fun Day

Kristina: Fun Days

Lauren: Bowling Alley

How many of the following items do you have in your house?

A.) tie downs B.) dog toys C.) crates D.) dog beds

Chloe: a.)2 b.)6 c.)2 d.)1

Kristina: a.) 2 b.) way to many to count c.) 2 d.) 0

Lauren: a.)2 b)5 c.)3 d.)2

Where are your certificate “In Appreciation” that are given to you from Guide Dogs for raising a puppy?

Chloe: in my puppy raising binder

Kristina: on the bulletin board

Lauren: In the attic, in a binder.

Do you prefer male or female puppies to raise?

Chloe: females!! You get a 3 week vacation

Kristina: female- you don’t have to worry about them being intact

or not because it doesn’t really matter

Lauren: MALE!! My dogs and I can’t both PMS at the same time

What would you be doing if you weren’t involved with Guide Dogs?

Chloe: taking more dance classes

Kristina: figure skating more often and sleeping in one Saturdays

Lauren: sleeping, eating, watching TV, not vacuuming up dog hair, eating, sleeping

How did you first hear about raising Guide Dog Puppies?

Chloe: Through 4-H

Kristina: We met a girl at Pismo and she told us about it

Lauren: my mom and Morgan Taylor

Where was your first Guide Dog meeting ever attended?

Chloe: Petco

Kristina: Fig Garden

Lauren: Bowling Alley

Who was the first puppy you ever worked at a meeting?

Chloe: Kobe (Candie Wasson’s Smooth Coated Collie)

Kristina: Nola (Candie Wasson’s Golden)

Lauren: Kobe (Candie Wasson’s Smooth Coated Collie)

Name the saddest moment you experienced while raising?

Chloe: When I found out Justin was career changed

Kristina: When I had to put Fashion on the puppy truck

Lauren: giving up Michael

Name the happiest moment you experienced while raising?

Chloe: getting my puppy off the puppy truck showing the dog to the group

Kristina: Getting to see Fashion for the first time since she went on the puppy truck

Lauren: getting Mike back and getting Michael for the first time

Why do you keep raising these puppies?

Chloe: It’s fun

Kristina: Because its fun and you’re doing a good thing

Lauren: It’s fun and rewarding

~Submitted By: Cierra V.

The Joy of Graduation

The day I found out that A.J was going to be a guide dog I was really excited. A.J. was always a wonderful puppy and I knew that he would make a wonderful guide. I knew the day was going to be filled with excitement, because I was going to see A.J and his person, Tanner. I had talked to Tanner Wednesday before graduation and was looking forward to meeting him. I didn't know exactly what to expect, but I knew it was going to be great.

My mom, dad, sisters Bekki and Amanda, and one of our family friends attended graduation with me. When I got to Guide Dogs the first thing I had to do was check in. While we were waiting for Tanner and A.J to come in, I could hardly contain my excitement. I was wondering if A.J would recognize us. Then they walked in, it took A.J less then a second to know who we were. A.J just about pulled Tanner over to get to me, and then almost knocked me down jumping on me. I couldn't believe how big A.J had gotten. He looked so handsome, and meeting Tanner was really great.

We all had a wonderful time talking together about A.J growing up, and the work that the two of them are going to do together. When it was about time for the ceremony to begin my family and my friend left to go sit down. After awhile Tanner went to the stage, and it was just A.J and me. It was hard not to cry, not because I was sad but because I was, and still am so very proud that he made it as a guide. When it was my turn to take A.J on stage it was such a great feeling. I remember I was thinking "This is why I do what I do". As I handed A.J.'s leash over to Tanner I was filled with pride. Then walking with them back to the chairs and standing behind Tanner and A.J. was such a wonderful feeling - one that I would love to have again and again.

After graduation Tanner, my mom, Bekki, and I went to Applebee's for an early dinner. There we had a chance to get to know Tanner better. We found out more about the work that the two of them will do together.

When we were done eating we took Tanner and A.J. back to the Guide Dog campus. As we said our goodbyes, I knew that my job was done, but A.J.'s had just begun.

~Submitted By: Laura H.

Birthdays!

Kristina L. -------------------------------------------April 4

Gretch-----------------------------------------------April 15

Gary-------------------------------------------------April 15

Karen B. -------------------------------------------April 15

Kathy H. --------------------------------------------April 18

Elizabeth J. ---------------------------------------- May 9

NancyJane M. ------------------------------------May 12

Mark F. ---------------------------------------------May 16

Stacey S. ------------------------------------------May 26

Eric Q. ----------------------------------------------May 31

Mary H. ---------------------------------------------Jun 14

Morgan T. -------------------------------------------Jun 19

Edgar-------------------------------------------------Jul 17

Neil----------------------------------------------------Jul 30

Genevieve-------------------------------------------Aug 4

Mollie N. --------------------------------------------Aug 6

Chris W. --------------------------------------------Aug 13

Rainey-----------------------------------------------Aug 15

Sheila J. --------------------------------------------Aug 25

Melanie H. -----------------------------------------Sep 7

New Arrivals!

Allison and Amy D. received “Hathaway”, a male Golden Retriever born on 4-1-05

Mary H. received “Yale”, a male Yellow Labrador born on 7-22-05

Chris W. received “Deanne”, a female Yellow Labrador born on 7-29-05

Phase reports as of 9-22-05

Greta------------------------------------Phase 10

Yeager----------------------------------Phase 3

Nino-------------------------------------Phase 3

Gary, Gretch and Salem have returned to the San Rafael campus in September to begin their formal training. Good luck to all of them!

We would like to welcome our new advisor Jim Russell to the area; we look forward to working with and learning from you.

Quote of the month:

A dog wags its tail with its heart.