Due to the kindness of a generous donor, Tom LaLiberte, we have been given a unique challenge… to match his generous $10,000 contribution in recognition of this month. Were invite you to be a part of this challenge and help us to double Mr. LaLiberte's impact
Puppies in Training Spend the Day with the Palm Springs Fire Department
The photo above shows a group of puppy raisers, firemen and GDD staff standing in front of a fire truck. Puppy raisers handling pups are crouched on the ground with they rdogs, and others stand behind them. On either side of the truck are emergency response vehicles.
On July 25th, the Palm Springs Fire Department invited Guide Dogs of the Desert puppies to Station 2 for a morning of fun and valuable puppy training. With fire season upon us, this training was critical to ensure the best possible outcome in case of an emergency. The pups were exposed to the revving sounds of fire engines and sirens. They got to see a fire hose in action- definitely a highlight among our pups! They even had the opportunity to see firemen in full gear. This experience allowed the pups to become familiar with the sight of a person big, bulky equipment walking towards them. After the training, the firemen got to play with the puppies. Overall, it was a wonderful day had by all. We cannot thank the Palm Springs Fire Department enough for their hospitality and a special thank you to Captain Nathan Gunkel for organizing this amazing day for us!
Want to hear more about this incredible opportunity? Go see this video from KESQ featuring the story!
The photo above shows Kenny, a black lab guide dog, wearing his harness. He is sitting on concrete in front of a water edge, with an excited facial expression.
Standing at the edge of a large, grassy field, I was briefly overwhelmed with nervousness. I was officiating my sister's wedding and had to navigate a field full of wedding guests to find just one small podium front and center. I had never officiated a wedding, and certainly never had to navigate a situation quite like this one. As I whispered, “Kenny, forward” his strong, and certain pull through the harness quickly silenced any worry. Confidence took its place. Although it was a short walk to the front of the ceremony, I found myself overwhelmed with gratitude. Kenny was a new Guide Dog to me at this time, and while we had not been together long, the difference his presence made in the face of this event was indescribable.
I knew from the day my sister asked me, that I would only be able to take this on with harness in hand. And when my match with Kenny was made just two months before, the relief was immediate. It was because of Kenny that I could present this wedding ceremony… and so much more.
Having a Guide Dog has given me a sureness I never knew I could have. It is through partnership that I find my highest level of independence. The most empowering words resonate with me each time I head out; “Kenny, forward”. With him, everything feels like freedom.
National Guide Dog Month is a time to reflect on this. The differences that Guide Dogs make for their handlers last a lifetime. And it takes a whole team of people to make that lifetime impact a reality. Whether you are a handler, celebrating what your dog has brought to your life; a puppy raiser cheering on your pup who is now in harness; a volunteer who helps make the day to day happenings at GDD doable; a breeder host who plays a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of Guide Dogs; a donor who provides the vital gifts needed to allow this work to happen; or a staff member who has dedicated their career to forming life-changing partnerships… the month of September is to reflect on all of this. To those of you involved in making the Guide Dog Journey a reality, on behalf of all Guide Dog teams, thank you!
Picture of volunteer outing on July 22 at the Scottsdale AZ, Fashion Mall. Picture by Executive Director, Robert Maher. People and dogs in the picture from left to right: Tim Cornwall, GDD Puppy Trainer, Betty Mazur with JJ, black Poodle, Linda Richter with Bowie, black Lab, Jacki and Les Dixon with Caroline, black Lab, Ann Wallenmeyer-Krahman and Bob Krahman with Cosmo, white Poodle, Angel Coleman, GDD Director of Caine Development and Medical.
Like the bird, GDD is renewing a fresh start and our commitment to the Phoenix area and our many dedicated volunteer puppy raisers. For more than a decade GDD has counted on the generosity of the Arizona puppy raiser group. We are pleased to announce in June we officially opened a GDD office in Sun City, AZ and we are currently looking to hire a puppy trainer to work directly with our Arizona volunteers. We recognize the value and dedication our puppy raisers provide as our puppies start their journey to becoming a guide dog.
The outing at the mall was an exciting day for the puppies as they learned how to negotiate a crowded mall while looking for that perfect dog collar at Channel and Dior.
-Executive Director, Robert Maher
weathering together
A photo above shows a blue sky, with some thin white clouds. The sky is above the grassy hill behind the administrative building at GDD. You can see the hill, some trees and the white windmills in hte background. Above the hill-scape is a double rainbow, with the lower of the two a much more vibrant color.
As many of you know Tropical Storm Hilary recently made landfall in California, This was the first hurricane-type storm to hit this state in 84 years, and a first in Guide Dogs of the Desert's 51 year history.
We are humbled by the presence of our staff, working diligently to respond to the evolving needs of this storm. A small team of staff stayed on campus throughout the duration of the storm to ensure the safety of our dogs. We are happy to report that in the aftermath, all people and pups, as well as our campus are safe! Our campus did not sustain any damages, and our staff has been able to resume routine in office operations. Thank you to our staff and leadership for addressing the challenges of this storm, and to those of you in our GDD community who volunteered time and resources if they were needed.
Knowing that there is a cohesive solidarity within our community is what allows us to continue moving forward. Even in the face of adversity, we can continue to change lives together.
Thank you
Til next time,
Guide Dogs of the Desert Team
The Lowdown is a Guide Dogs of the Desert publication.
