President: Sarah Calhoun

Editor: Andrea Giudice

Co-editor and GDUI Immediate Past President: Penny Reeder

Guide Dog Users, Inc. (GDUI) A special interest affiliate of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) since 1972

https://guidedogusersinc.org/

Toll-Free: 866.799.8436

From the Editor

Hello fellow GDUISters. Oh, Toto and I had so hoped that it would be less stupidly humid and ridiculously hot when we were preparing this issue, not so much!! Hopefully all of you humans and dogs out there are managing to get some work in while avoiding the worst of the hot, horrible weather!

This month, Paws brings helpful information about travel, summer safety, a yummy recipe (I wish it would magically appear at my house), and so much more!

I encourage everyone to remember how easy it is to get involved in the production of this newsletter: Share a favorite podcast; an interesting, silly, absurd, or touching tidbit from your local paper; something you wrote yourself or written by someone else; a helpful app or other resource; even a yummy recipe. Remember, submissions about guide dogs, or blindness/visual impairment are not the only topics of interest to us GDUISters!

Sending cyber hugs and wags,

Andrea and Super T

From the President 

(Via the editor)

Greetings, I am writing on behalf of, and without her prior knowledge or authorization*smile*,  our esteemed  President. She is busy training with a successor guide. She is working with Gallant Hearts and will, undoubtedly, have many stories to tell.

If she were writing this, I am certain she would be reminding everyone that there are many openings on the board- so running for one of them, and if not that, then casting your own, personal vote, is most important! She would also talk about how wonderful the convention was! Because I am going all rogue here, I am going to include parts of the convention report which Maria H. shared with the board, as one of the collection of committee reports (Forgive me Madam President and Maria H)-

The 2024 GDUI Convention was a great success! One hundred and six people registered for the GDUI convention.  

On Thursday, June 27, GDUI again offered the Guide Dog School Update as a double session.  Our new Guide Dog School Liaison, Ryan Hooey, hosted representatives from 16 North American schools (even two more than last year).  This is always an event highlight. 

On Saturday, June 29, GDUI and the International Relations Committee co-presented a session called Guide Dog Programs Beyond our Borders.

With representatives from Hong Kong Guide Dogs Association where it was late Saturday evening, and Stapell Guide Dogs in Australia, where it was early Sunday morning.  I wish to thank Bhavya Shah and Maria Kristic from the IRC. 

On the afternoon of Saturday, June 29, 

GDUI held our Awards Ceremony, and Barbara Hinske was our guest speaker. Awards Committee members, Lolly Lijewski, Becky Davidson and Lynn Merrill, presented awards to Chris Mattoon, Marc Gillard, Barbara Hinske and Pauline Lamontagne. 

GDUI  received the following message from Barbara:  “My plaque arrived today and it is absolutely beautiful. The images of the man and woman with their guide dogs is lovely. I am so honored to be the recipient of this award. The kind words about my series touch my heart.

I’m going to hang it in my office tomorrow and will post photos of myself with the award all over my social media.  Please know how grateful I am for this recognition, and pass my thanks on to others.”                                      

 When Lynn asked Lady A to select the winning drawing ticket number for Garth, the ticket Turned out to have been purchased by  Barbara!  Barbara was tickled when Garth arrived by mail in a re-purposed Chewy box.  

For Your Calendar–

(Some of the items listed here are expanded upon later in this issue, others may be a way off) deadline for applying to ACB INSPIRE Mentoring Program 8/17/24, at 11:59 PM, ET. 

Last day to submit completed application for any of the 2024 GDUI Board positions WHICH ARE UP FOR ELECTION in October

8/23/24, by close of business. 

Last day to pay GDUI annual dues in order to be eligible to vote in the 2024 GDUI elections

8/26/24. 

Registration closes for the 24th Audio Description Institute 

9/2/24.

First day of 24th Audio Description Institute (Virtual)

9/9/24, 1:00 to 5:00 PM, ET.

Last day of 24th Audio Description Institute (Virtual) 

9/13/24, 1:00 to 5:00 PM, ET.

Deadline for donating items to the ACB Media Holiday Auction

10/7/24. 

GDUI annual membership meeting

10/19/24.

2024 GDUI Elections begin

10/20/24, 12:00 AM, ET. 

2024 GDUI Elections end

10/27/24, 11:59 PM, ET. 

GDUI board meeting

11/23/24. 

ACB Media Holiday Sneak-a-Peek Appetizer auction 

11/29/24. 

ACB Media Holiday Sneak-a-Peek Appetizer auction 

11/30/24.

ACB Media Holiday auction

12/1/24. 

Article- Watch the Olympics with Audio Description

[From: Dots and Dashes, July 29, 2024]

The Olympic Games started on Friday evening, 7/26/24, with the opening ceremony. Here is all the information you need to access audio description and catch the Olympic spirit.

Where and when can I watch the Olympic and Paralympic coverage with audio description on television?

“All coverage on NBC, including daytime, primetime, and late night, and the Gold Zone whip-around show on Peacock, will feature audio description provided by Descriptive Video Works. In a first for a U.S. broadcaster, audio description services for NBC coverage will be provided in stereo, enhancing the quality of sound for viewers. For the Paralympic Games, NBC Sports will provide live audio description for all broadcast and cable programming, including those aired outside primetime hours, as well as on all simulstreams.” 

This means that for the Olympic Games, all broadcast programming including the opening and closing ceremonies, regardless of when it airs, will have live audio description on the SAP channel on the NBC network; for the Paralympic Games, all broadcast programming including the opening and closing ceremonies, regardless of when it airs, will have live audio description on the SAP channel on NBC and other cable networks. The Audio Description Project’s daily listing of TV shows with description is listing the Olympic coverage — look for 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics. Please consult the ADP’s audio description on television information page for general guidelines on how to access SAP.

Whom do I contact if audio description is not being passed through on television?

If you are not receiving audio description or you’re experiencing an issue with audio description on NBC television, please send an email to ADFeedback@nbcuni.com. 

Please include the following information in your email:

• Your name
• The city, state, and zip code where NBC is being received
• Your television provider (example, over-the air with antenna, or the name of the cable, satellite, or internet provider)
• The NBC TV station you are reporting (example: WMAQ, Chicago 5)
• What is the cable or satellite set-top box that is connected to your TV? Or the internet connected device used with your TV (example: Roku, Apple TV, etc.)
• What is the programming you are inquiring about and the date and time of the issue you are noting? (Example: NBC Olympic Primetime Show, July 26, 9:15PM EDT)

Can I stream the Olympic and Paralympic coverage live with audio description?

“Improved web content accessibility, including keyboard navigation, color contrast and support for screen readers, will be available on NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, the NBC Sports app, and Peacock. Livestreams and replays which offer audio description will have English audio description as a language choice within the players on these digital platforms.” For most content on NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, and the NBC Sports app, a provider sign-in will be required; for the Peacock platform, a subscription is required to view content. 

On NBCOlympics.com, you can activate the “Personalize your schedule” button on the Schedule page, and personalize by sport, interest (such as “Audio Description”), and viewing method. Additionally, the streams with audio description can be found by searching for “audio description” on NBCOlympics.com, filtering by the “Audio Description” topic in the NBC Sports app, and looking under the “Audio Description” heading of the Olympics section on Peacock. 

“All of this audio description and closed captioning will be available to Comcast Xfinity customers who experience the Games on the Xfinity X1 platform, including on the live Olympic Games coverage delivered in 4K, on Xfinity Stream, and on Xfinity Flex.”

To easily find all events streaming with audio description, consult the schedule on NBCOlympics.com. To view only a chronological schedule of streams with AD, consult the live stream schedule on NBCOlympics.com. There is also a page that lists the replay streams for the Olympics with audio description.

Can I stream the Olympic and Paralympic Games on-demand after the fact with audio description?

All television coverage live streams can be replayed on NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, the NBC Sports app, and Peacock after the fact. For the NBC Olympics platform, please consult the replay streams with audio description page. Alternatively, search for “audio description,” navigate to the “REPLAYS” level-two heading, and choose the stream you want to watch.

How do I access audio description of a live stream or replay?

“Livestreams and replays which offer audio description will have English audio description as a language choice within the players on … NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, the NBC Sports app, and Peacock.” 

For further information, read the full press release at https://www.nbcsports.com/pressbox/press-releases/nbcuniversal-enhances-accessibility-for-its-coverage-of-the-olympic-games-paris-2024.

Article- Pool Safety for Dogs

Not all dogs can swim: how to protect your dog from drowning

[From: Schwarzman Animal  Medical Center PET HEALTH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER- July 18, 2024, 

https://www.amcny.org/blog/2019/07/17/not-all-dogs-can-swim-how-to-protect-your-dog-from-drowning/]

The Animal Medical Center’s intensive care unit recently cared for a dog that nearly drowned in the family’s swimming pool. This brings up a common misconception about our canine companions: that all dogs can swim. In this post, I’ll discuss a few practical steps you can take to protect your dogs from the water.

Drowning in Dogs

A recent review of “submersion” incidents in pets had a few interesting findings. Falling into a swimming pool was the most common body of water dogs fell into. Dogs also fell through thin ice on frozen lakes and ponds. One really unlucky dog got stuck in the mud on the bottom of a small pond and nearly drowned. 

Not all dogs are natural swimmers, and many are unaware of the dangers a pool can pose. Every summer, unsuspecting dogs fall into pools when no one is around to help.

The fact that most dogs nearly drown in the family’s swimming pool suggests there are interventions to decrease your dog’s drowning risk. Follow these essential tips to keep your dog safe around the pool. 

Don’t let your dog swim alone

You wouldn’t swim alone, and neither should your dog. This is a cardinal rule. Don’t break it.

Swimming lessons

Since not all dogs are born swimmers, a swimming test is necessary if you have a backyard pool. First, suit up and coax your dog into the shallow end to test their swimming prowess. Do this when you have extra help in case you need to haul your dog out of the pool if he doesn’t intuitively know how to swim. If he paddles happily around the pool, the next step is to teach him where the stairs are located so he can get out of the pool when he gets tired or if he falls into the pool. Stand on the stairs and use treats to encourage him to come toward you and walk up the stairs. Be sure to do this a few times and give a refresher course every now and then.

Pool barrier

Most swimming pools are surrounded by a fence. If your dog can’t swim, then it should be a dog-proof fence. If your pool doesn’t have a fence, consider having an invisible fence set up around your pool to keep your dog away from the slippery edge. There are also devices to alert you to unwanted swimmers in your pool. The technology behind pool alarms is mind-boggling. There are motion sensors, wave sensors, subsurface disturbance sensors, and wristband sensors. It seems to me the wristband sensor could be strapped onto a collar quite easily.

Life jacket

If swimming lessons fail and a pool fence will spoil the esthetic quality of your backyard, consider a doggy life jacket. Our friends at the American Kennel Club have recently reviewed dog life jackets.

Since most dog drownings occur during the summer months, today is a good day to start making your dog pool-safe and your pool dog-safe.

Announcement-  GDUI elections are coming up!

GUIDE DOG USERS, INC.

3603 MORGAN WAY

IMPERIAL, MO 63052

Toll Free: 1-866-799-8436

July 1, 2024

Dear GDUI Members and Friends,

GDUI elections are coming up! Here’s what you need to know about our 2024 elections and how to participate, as a candidate, and as a voter.

The 2024 GDUI Elections will begin at 12:00 AM,  ED, on Sunday, October 20, 2024, and end at 11:59 PM, ET, on Sunday, October 27, 2024.

GDUI is seeking candidates for the following positions in our October 2024 elections:

• President – 2-year term
• First Vice President – 2-year term 
• Second Vice President – 2-year term
• Secretary – 2-year term
• Treasurer – 2-year term
• Two Directors – 3-year term
• One Director – 1-year term
• Please note: For the director positions, the 2 candidates for director receiving the greatest number of votes in the election will be seated in the 3-year full-term director positions, and the candidate for director with the third highest number of votes will be seated in the 1-year interim director position.

All GDUI members in good standing are eligible to run for a position on the GDUI Board. By the deadline of Friday, August 23, 2024, interested candidates should submit, via e-mail to the Nominations Committee, a completed application form (available below and online) 

Please note: This document will be shared , as submitted, in its entirety, with all GDUI members entitled to vote in this election.

You can reach the Nominations Committee at this e-mail address:

elections@guidedogusersinc.org.   

GDUI members who have paid their dues by this year’s record date of Monday, August 26, 2024, will be eligible to vote in the October elections. If you have not renewed your membership, now is the time to do so.

This will allow you to vote to fill the open board positions, as well as to accept or reject any proposed bylaw changes that members have recommended.

A membership in GDUI costs just $15.00 per person per calendar year and includes an annual subscription to Paws for GDUI News You Can Use, our informative newsletter.

Dues may be paid, by credit card, online by going to: 

https://guidedogusersinc.org/membership/

or by calling 866.799.8436. You may also pay by mail, by sending a check made payable to GDUI, to our postal mailing address: 

GUIDE DOG USERS, INC., 3603 Morgan Way, Imperial, MO 63052.

Important dates to remember!

• In order to be eligible to vote in the 2024 GDUI election, your 2024 GDUI dues must have been received on or before the record date of August 26, 2024.
• If you wish to run for any of the 2024 positions which are up for election, we need to receive your completed application by Close of Business on Friday, August 23, 2024.
• We will hold two telephonic candidates’ Forums prior to the election.  Dates and phone numbers for these calls will be announced soon.

We encourage members to submit questions for the candidates. Please submit your questions to the Nominations Committee, by the close of business on Friday, September 13, 2024.  Email your proposed questions to:

elections@guidedogusersinc.org

Include “Forum Question” in the subject field of your e-mail message.

If you are thinking of running for one of the eight board positions, we welcome your candidacy! Below please find a job description for each of the positions up for election. 

Applications for candidacy are available here:

http://guidedogusersinc.org/announcing-gdui-2024-elections/

We welcome your participation in our 2024 GDUI elections! We are looking forward to a lively campaign season. If you have not yet done so, we encourage you to renew your membership in GDUI, so that you may be eligible to run for an officer or director position, to submit questions for the candidates to answer; to attend one or both candidate forums; and especially to vote!

Thank you,

Sincerely,

The GDUI Nominations Committee, 2024

Dixie Sanderson, Chair

Lynn Merrill, 

Cheryl Peabody

GDUI Officer and Director Position Descriptions

GDUI President- Responsibilities and criteria

The GDUI President must be willing and able to accept the legal, fiduciary and ethical

responsibilities for an organizational president, in accordance with standard nonprofit practices and procedures.

The GDUI President must be a GDUI member in good standing.

The GDUI President must be a current or former guide dog user.

The GDUI President shall:

Preside over all meetings; Appoint a Vice President to preside over any meeting for which the president’s absence is unavoidable; Propose policies and practices to fulfill the mission of GDUI; Serve as an ex-officio member of GDUI committees (with the exception of the Nominating Committee) in compliance with the GDUI Bylaws); Monitor the performance of Directors and Officers; Submit various reports to the board and to other “stakeholders” as necessary; Propose the creation of committees or task forces to accomplish needed work; appoint chairpersons for committees and task forces; perform other duties as the need arises and/or as defined in the GDUI Bylaws.

The GDUI President shall not be absent from three board meetings in any year. 

 If serious circumstances make it impossible for the President to attend any meeting of the GDUI Board, the president must inform the First Vice President, in advance, and must arrange for either the First or Second Vice-President to take on presidential duties for that meeting.

The President ensures that an agenda is planned for board meetings. 

(This may involve periodic meetings with committee chairpersons to draft meeting agendas and reporting schedules.)

The President presides over meetings of the Board of Directors. In this capacity, the President: Chairs meetings according to accepted rules of order for the purposes of encouraging all members to participate in discussion; Facilitates the board’s work of arriving at decisions in an orderly, timely and democratic manner; Votes as prescribed in the GDUI Bylaws.

The President is responsible for ensuring, on behalf of the membership, that the Board of Directors and officers of GDUI: Are aware of and fulfill their governance responsibilities, including. 

1. Comply with applicable laws and bylaws. 
2. Conduct board business effectively and efficiently in accordance with standard nonprofit policies and procedures. 
3. Are accountable for their performance.

The President is accountable to the Board of Directors or Members as specified in the GDUI Bylaws. The President may delegate specific duties to Board members and/or committees, and to the office manager and the webmaster, as appropriate; however, the accountability remains with the President. For this reason, the president may take appropriate action to safeguard the interests of GDUI.

According to the GDUI Bylaws, the president’s involvement in the proceedings of the Nominating Committee is specifically limited; therefore, the President’s accountability, in the specific case of the recommendations or actions of the nominating committee, is accordingly limited. 

The President serves as an ex-officio member of all board committees (except for the Nominating Committee). In this capacity, the President’s role is to:

Negotiate reporting schedules. 

Identify problems and assist the committee chairperson to resolve them, 

Bring such matters, if necessary, to the attention of the Board of Directors. 

The President ensures that GDUI maintains positive and productive relationships with organizations related to the mission of GDUI, media and donors.

In this capacity, the President serves as primary spokesperson for GDUI, and Duties may include:

Representing GDUI to the media. 

Representing GDUI on governmental or nongovernmental organizations and committees. 

Providing timely and appropriate reporting of Board decisions and actions to members and/or donors.

The President is normally designated by the Board of Directors and/or bylaws as one of the signing officers for certain documents. In this capacity, the President may be authorized or required to sign or countersign bank checks, correspondence, applications, reports, contracts or other documents on behalf of GDUI.

The President ensures that structures and procedures are in place for effective recruitment, training, and evaluation of GDUI board members.

The President ensures that structures and procedures are in place for securing the resources required by GDUI.

The GDUI President is the primary liaison between the Board and all GDUI staff. In this capacity, the President:

Meets periodically with these individuals, no less than once a quarter. 

Ensures that annual performance reviews of these staff members are conducted. 

Participates in the hiring and evaluation of all staffers (presently the webmaster).

GDUI First Vice President- Responsibilities and criteria

The GDUI First Vice President is required to be willing and qualified to take over as President, if necessary, in accordance with the GDUI Bylaws.

Important: Please refer to “Responsibilities and Criteria for GDUI President Position” for specific details.

The first vice president must be willing and able to accept the legal, fiduciary and ethical responsibilities of an organizational vice president, and of President, in accordance with standard nonprofit practices and procedures.

The First Vice President is expected to attend all board meetings, and to preside over any board meeting for the president, if necessary.

The First Vice President shall inform the President, in advance, if unable to attend a particular board meeting.

The First Vice President may not miss more than three board meetings per year.

The First Vice President must be a member in good standing of GDUI.

The First Vice President must be a current or former guide dog user. 

GDUI Second Vice President- Responsibilities and criteria

The second vice president must be willing and able to accept the legal, fiduciary and ethical responsibilities of an organizational vice president, in accordance with standard nonprofit practices and procedures.

The Second Vice President must be willing and able to take on the role and duties of First Vice President as prescribed by the GDUI Bylaws.

*Important: Please refer to “Responsibilities and Criteria for GDUI First Vice President Position” for specific details.

The Second Vice President Must Be a GDUI-member in good standing.

The Second Vice President must be a current or former guide dog user.

The Second Vice President is expected to attend all board meetings and must be willing and able to run regularly scheduled Board meetings, if called upon by the President to do so (if the President or First Vice President cannot be in attendance).

The Second Vice President shall inform the President, in advance, if unable to attend a particular board meeting.

The Second Vice President may not miss more than three board meetings per year.

GDUI Secretary- Responsibilities and criteria

The GDUI Secretary must be willing and able to accept the legal, fiduciary and ethical responsibilities of an organizational secretary, in accordance with standard nonprofit practices and procedures.

The Secretary must:

Record (in document-form) meeting minutes for business meetings of the GDUI Board of Directors,

Arrange for the audio-recording of meetings if it is the secretary’s desire to take minutes from an audio-recording,

Possess thorough and quick note-taking skills in case an audio-recording of a meeting fails,

Have the ability to use notes, memory, and/or recordings to reproduce accurate accounts of meetings for minutes,

Use writing skills and discretion to summarize (or write in detail when appropriate) to create informative meeting minutes,

Submit drafts of meeting minutes in time frames which allow other board members to submit suggestions/corrections before a final draft is submitted for approval/acceptance at the subsequent board meeting,

Send minutes and attachments to the Web Master for posting to the GDUI Web Site,

Assist GDUI by researching and reproducing content from previous minutes as is practical.

The secretary is expected to attend all board meetings. 

If the Secretary is unable to attend a board meeting, after informing the President, the Secretary will arrange for a competent recorder for the meeting which the Secretary will miss.

The Secretary may not miss more than three board meetings per year.

GDUI Treasurer- Responsibilities and criteria

The GDUI Treasurer must be willing and able to accept the legal, fiduciary and ethical responsibilities of an organizational treasurer, in accordance with standard nonprofit practices and procedures.

The Treasurer   must:

Assist in the preparation of all budgets including GDUI’s annual budget,

Be a bondable individual,

Monitor the budget monthly, or more frequently if needed,

Ensure that the financial policies (as set by the Board, and recommended by the finance committee) are being followed,

Report to the Board of Directors and general membership on finances monthly,

Prepare, in a timely manner, any required financial reporting forms to be submitted to the general membership, accountants, auditors or any such other entity as required for standard accounting procedures and policies,

Maintain all bank accounts in a fiscally prudent manner in keeping with standard accounting practices,

Oversee all financial transactions while ensuring all fiduciary responsibilities are met and ensure the benefit of GDUI.

Serve as a member of the finance committee.

The Treasurer’s signature should appear on all checks of the organization with the second signature from any of the board’s other directors or staff with signing authority for amounts exceeding $1500.

The Treasurer is expected to attend all board meetings.

The Treasurer   may not miss more than three board meetings per year.

GDUI Board of Director- position Responsibilities and criteria

Each member of the GDUI Board of Directors must be willing and able to accept the legal, fiduciary and ethical responsibilities of an organizational director, in accordance with standard nonprofit practices and procedures.

Board members are expected to attend all board meetings.

Members of the GDUI Board of Directors shall inform the President, in advance, if unable to attend a particular board meeting.

A GDUI board member shall not be absent from three board meetings in any year. 

Majority of Board members will be current or former guide dog users.

Announcement- Thank You from the ACB Auction Committee

[From: Dots and Dashes- July 29, 2024]

Hello ACB Family! The auction committee would like to thank everyone for participating in the ACB Summer Auction and making it such a big success. This year’s summer auction showcased over 200 items donated by ACB affiliates, ACB staff, members and friends. A special thanks to the auction committee members that produced vivid descriptions, item pictures, audio descriptions on ACB Media 2 and formatted electric documents for easy access for everyone’s viewing. It’s fantastic to hear all the excitement on Saturday night as members are bidding against each other. Stay tuned for the ACB Media Holiday Auction! 

The holiday auction will feature Sneak a Peek Appetizer auctions on Nov. 29th and 30th, and the holiday auction on December 1st. The deadline for items for the ACB Media Holiday Auction is October 7. For more information, contact Leslie Spoone by email, lesliespoone@cfl.rr.com, or by phone, (407) 929-9837.

From the Kennel Kitchen- Yummy!

[From: Pine Tree Guide Dog Users, PTGDU, August 2024 Monthly News Update]

Blueberry Muffins

A favorite recipe made with Maine’s iconic wild blueberries. 

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

3/4 cup sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups fresh wild Maine blueberries, dusted with 1 tablespoon of flour

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup whole milk

Topping

2 tablespoons of sugar 

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions

preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin and set aside.  In a mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Add vanilla. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Alternately add dry ingredients and milk to the creamed mixture until just blended. Gently fold in Blueberries. Scoop batter into tin. Mix the topping ingredients and sprinkle on top of muffins. Bake for 25 – 30 minutes. Cool for five minutes before removing muffins from the pan.

Note: To give the muffins a blue tinge, mash 1/2 cup of the blueberries before folding into batter.

Article- The sun the sea and the ties that bind

My practical thoughts and  precious moments, on a family cruise  across the Atlantic with my Seeing Eye dog

By Kristen  NILSON Dockendorff

“A goal without a plan is only a wish“. This is one of the many quotes I came away with after meeting an amazing man and his wife. He was the Director of the Kennedy space Center. Yes, that space Center. More about that later…

My biggest take away from this experience- plan ahead! Best stress alleviator ever- doing research and giving yourself enough time to get everything done!

Concerns that need to be discussed with the cruise line before even considering making any reservations include:  The itinerary (length of cruise and country or countries visited), their experience, if any,  with having service dogs on board, what accommodations will be provided for your guide to relieve (will it be on your balcony, if you have one, inside the ship or outside on a deck),does the cruise line provide an appropriately sized life jacket for your guide, will you need to pack dog food or can it be drop shipped directly to the cruise line to be waiting for you on the ship, and will the ship’s daily newsletter and main dining room menus be made available in alternative formats (braille, large print, or electronically).

(As regards direct shipping of food, while this will save room in your luggage, that advantage must be weighed against the stress inducing situation of worrying that the food won’t arrive in time, or at all. Plus, the time and multiple back and forth communications to verify if the food  arrive- and if arrived was it delivered to the correct place and has it been loaded on the actual ship you’ll be sailing on- then once on board, how long will it take to get the food to your cabin. If direct shipping is an option, and you choose it, I suggest bringing a few days’ worth of food because… all the just mentioned possibilities!)

As for the paperwork involved in cruising with a guide. There are numerous forms to fill out, depending on your itinerary. If traveling outside the USA, you must find the appropriate  United States department of agriculture forms for the specific country(s) you will be visiting. I promise, no matter where you are going, it is never going to be just one form! Then, of course there are all the other forms for the individual airlines and the cruise ship, itself. I will also let you know that, if you have not dealt with the forms for international travel through the department of agriculture, there are very specific timelines, depending on the country(s) involved. Oh, by the way, these forms are complicated and rarely totally, or even partially, accessible- so, prepared to have somebody help. Also, different countries require specific brands of microchips and vaccinations, so you need to research that, too. If that is not enough, you need to be certain to check with the United States department of agriculture, as well as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), not only for the specific country(s) you will be visiting, to see if you can bring a guide in, but to see what restrictions may exist for bringing a dog back in to the United States from the country from which you will depart.

Yes, it is true, there are countries where it is perfectly okay to visit with a dog, but for which the CDC imposes restrictions with respect to bringing a dog in.

Your guide will need to be examined, and forms filled out, by an Internationally certified USDA veterinarian .As your personal vet may not be USDA Certified,  make sure you have access to such a certified veterinarian and an appointment(s) in a timely fashion so as to meet the specific deadlines your particular trip requires.

[Editor’s Note: Check with the GDUI web site to learn about newly promulgated rules from the CDC which go into effect on August 1, 2024, and which are related to bringing a dog from a country outside the USA into the United States.]

I can’t stress enough how much it helps to have friends or family who can assist with the amount of paperwork necessary. If utilizing a Travel Agent is an option, it can make a tremendous difference as they can assist with many of the forms and act as a liaison with the cruise line.   

Our family is a prime example of how planning is essential. Four of us were traveling together, my brother, father, aunt and I, but it was my brother who was organizing the trip. While he is a very frequent traveler, my aunt, dad and I, not so much; hence the three of us had expired passports. This combined with our lack of awareness about the above-mentioned paperwork and hard-and-fast timelines required to travel with a guide, made it impossible to take the cruise we had originally booked. We had to cancel that original cruise and rebook another.

Just as an FYI- for international travel your passport will need renewal if it is within 6 months of expiration when you begin your trip.

When it comes to cruising- forewarned is forearmed! 

Beyond being aware of the forms, itinerary, physical accommodations, and your own concerns; consider your dog’s personality . 

Planning a trip, especially one including international flights and a cruise, is fraught with so many potential problems. I like to be proactive- so, figuring out what has me worried ,and planning for solutions to any potential problems, lowers my pre-trip anxiety.

Some of my concerns were: Will she need her booties, will the decks be too hot for her feet, how about a crate, (she sleeps in a crate at home and I can’t fit a crate in the stateroom), will it be too hot for her out on the deck while I am enjoying the sun, how will she handle the lack of play-time, and how will the trip home go with such a long flight and customs?

Well, I’ll let you know that she did not need her booties as it was not a Caribbean cruise- so the weather really wasn’t too hot. I do think if going somewhere warmer, it would be a good idea to bring them. When we’re walking on the deck, we don’t think about how hot it is, but if you’re in the Caribbean or somewhere else warm, it probably would be a good idea. As for the sleeping arrangements and your dog. If you tend to be someone who sleeps with their dog, you may have a very difficult time as cabins and furniture are quite small. Additionally, most cruise lines prohibit dogs on any furniture, part of the vast paperwork you sign before boarding the ship.my aunt and I shared a cabin so the beds were even smaller than a twin. You literally couldn’t roll to one side or the other or you’d be rolling out. We had some very funny moments, the bed making all kinds of noises and me on the floor in the dark trying to find where the noise was coming from.*smile*As for Winnie, who usually sleeps in a crate, I took two of the pillows and covered them with the leather mat that the cruise line provides for unloading suitcases. I also brought a blanket from Home so I just spread that over and she leaned up against the side of the couch that was in the room. She did like to have something solid to lean against as the boat does constantly move up and down, with a lot of clunking going on. Also, often there is space under the bed which can work as a crate like space. Having your own blankets, sleeping matt and tie-downs is essential. There definitely is not room for a crate so knowing how your dog reacts to that is important. I will say that there were places, out on the deck, where I definitely looked for shade. As long as they stay hydrated and you keep an eye on them, dogs do fine! Everybody was totally willing to bring me water for Winnie, so that was never a problem. If you plan on going in the pools or hot tubs, you need to make sure that there’s a place nearby where you can safely attach your guide; Chairs aren’t the best option as they can easily move. I was told that Winnie watched me swim laps back-and-forth. She does enjoy a good suntan too. *wink* 

I thought through most of my concerns and came up with the solutions for as many of them as possible in advance of our trip. The more you can prepare, the less stress you will encounter, and the more enjoyable your trip will be!

Being on a cruise is  very hard work for a dog guide. There are many narrow hallways with enticing obstacles (cleaning carts, dirty clothes awaiting pick-up, and room service trays laden with partially eaten meals); deck chairs full of sweet smelling people holding yummy drinks; tables scattered about all willy-nilly (often with abandoned food “free” for the taking);, lines of people pretty much everywhere either to be joined or navigated around; going to the buffet so many times a day (first breakfast, second breakfast, repeat for lunch and dinner, and don’t forget the one at midnight); staircases in strange locations and with weird lights and configurations (spiral is the tamest of the options). The type and size of relieving box and filler material provided is another consideration. Often a relieving box is quite small, and the filler material may be very different from anything your guide has experienced. On this cruise Winnie’s box was a 4×5 ft wooden box lined with Astroturf. Thinking about your guide and their willingness to relieve on multiple surfaces can save enormous angst once on-board ship! Most ships have a walking track so getting your guide exercise isn’t really a challenge, however, playtime can be challenging. The only place they can be out of harness and off leash is in your cabin. …  and that is a very small space. 

Another thing about bringing the dog, which, of course, you have to be willing to deal with is the constant situation of everybody wanting to pet your dog and share their own, personal dog stories. So many people are missing their pets when they’re on a cruise so of course, our dogs are magnets. What I learned on my first cruise, with my previous Seeing Eye dog – black lab Emma,   was to put a note in the ship’s daily itinerary, explaining that we are a working team and requesting that passengers should not distract us. On this cruise I approached the activities director and offered  to give a lecture, providing time for questions and answers ; as on that first cruise, they were interested. This time I even had the notice, about Winnie being a working dog, prepared for our first day on board.  We all know our guides are trained to handle all types of working conditions and situations; however, it is important to keep all of these things I have mentioned above, in mind, when deciding if having them accompany you on a cruise is in their, and your,  best interest.

You never know what’s gonna happen on one of these trips- with you,  your dog, and everyone else. In my opinion ,one of the best things you can do is to make the best of everything and, most importantly, set your guide up for success!

I did get my chance to speak; it was such a wonderful, fulfilling moment for me- being an ambassador for the Seeing Eye! 70 people attended the lecture. Not bad when you consider we were competing with presentations on how to make towel animals and origami with your daily newsletter!

Funny story- at the end of my presentation a couple approached me and said “five years ago we were on a cruise, that also went across the Atlantic, where you gave a lecture. You were  with your black lab guide then!” I thought that was really cool-that now I’ve done it twice and they were there both times. I guess there’s something to these lectures! Not only did I have a great time doing the lecture itself- all the information shared  with all the people who came, but this time, some special people were in the audience. In addition to My family ,Jim and Bernie Kennedy who are retired from the Kennedy Space Center, in Florida , were also in   attendance.(See, I promised at the beginning to get back to this!)  Jim , the former Director there, was also giving lectures during the cruise. My aunt and I attended one of his lectures and we kept running into each other all over the ship, so much so that he asked me if I would be willing to join him on stage during his final lecture  of the cruise.

 I don’t know how many were in the audience -but definitely more than 70. It was really awesome to be on stage with him! It was a great relationship to build.

His presentation was so interesting. He shared basic life lessons and talked about 52 points of leadership – illustrating same  with comments or stories about individuals and missions related to the space station and the NASA program. His last point of emphasis was actually about his grandfather who was blind- focusing on peoples’ abilities, not disabilities. This led to my sharing about myself and my experiences as a blind artist. Jim had no idea that I am an artist, when he found that out, he was really amazed. He commented at how well I integrated my story with the point he was trying to make. It was a really exciting moment all the way around, and I have a picture of Winnie and me, with me down at her side, hugging her and trying to point out the NASA pins on her Seeing Eye pouch. The picture was projected on a huge screen behind us on the big salon stage. Another picture I just love is of Winnie, Jim Kennedy, and me on the big salon stage- Winnie is looking over her shoulder at herself in the picture on the huge screen behind us! It’s a precious moment!

Things that I, like all of us, worried about regarding the trip but could do nothing to control included: transfers between airports, hotels, and the cruise ship; locating and assuring that my dog would use, the relief areas in the airport and hotel; and utilizing the Meet-an-assist services at the airport to get through TSA and Customs, my departure gate, transferring to connecting flights, and at the end of the trip reaching baggage claim and/or ground transportation (waiting for a wheelchair that I didn’t need instead of just a human guide). Sometimes it gets very frustrating when you need the help but would rather just do it yourself! 

While there are various apps that can be used to navigating  airports- it can definitely be helpful to have somebody assisting you when dealing with the  vast array of challenges presented by airports, Particularly international airports. Negotiating TSA and customs; multiple gates/terminals, possibly accessed via tram; locating bathrooms; relieving areas; restaurants/bars/coffee shops; and shops for snacks, drinks and/or souvenirs  can all be drastically simplified by availing oneself of the Meet-and-assist services provided by the airlines. Having said that, it is crucial to be a strong self-advocate!

During my trip, once at the gate I got put off on the side with some chairs and I think they generally just forgot about me. That’s one of the reasons my dog couldn’t use the relief area when we transferred flights. Just keep making sure that you are visible to the people who are supposed to be getting you the assistance.

I will definitely encourage you to leave at least two hours between connecting flights. Many of the relief areas are really gross but if your dog has to go, they will. The other problem is they’re really, really stinky and generally there’s only one in the airport, or per terminal, and it may not be anywhere near your gate. That’s why it really helps to have an assistant.

traveling with my family was an invaluable experience! Not just for the help with reading menus and explaining food choices at the buffets, but most especially in The Ties That Bind, as I say, In the title. Sharing a room with my aunt provided more than just a funny squeaky bed story as she read the daily notices and any other printed mail we received. I shamelessly used her to tell which candies were which flavors! I should’ve asked a little earlier in the trip which was conditioner, shampoo, and soap- evidenced by my soothing some scratches on my arm with shampoo thinking I was using body lotion.

Hint- bring some extra rubber bands, or whatever is your favorite low-tech marking device, so useful for items in the bathroom, room service condiments and even your cabin door! I had aunt Lynne to help me with that. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to it right away- hence, shampoo soothed scratches. *smile*

Aunt Lynne brought her notebook everywhere- It was awesome! It was always with her so she could take notes. She told us before we ever boarded the ship that she wanted to record any memories of her mother and our grandmother that my brother and I could share with her.  She and our father would also share their memories of growing up with their mom. This is what I mean by The Ties That Bind. That notebook was a symbol  of many ties. I took out my slate and stylus to show my aunt what they looked like- she told me that my grandmother, her mom, used to have one of those made of wood . She used it to do braille transcription for somebody. I never knew my grandmother knew braille.

My Aunt took notes at all the lectures we attended. The ones that Jim Kennedy, from NASA, gave as well as on the Atlantic ocean piracy, the Bermuda triangle, etc. She attended my lecture and wrote down all the questions that were asked and my answers. 

That brings me to another tie. I love being a positive role model for Guide dog teams. Winnie is an incredibly special dog, and I am honored to have her as my partner. As for the couple who was at the lecture on that cruise five years ago and also at the lecture on this cruise- I find that to be an incredible tie as well. 

there was the Seaborn crew itself. My brother can attest to the fact that they make an incredible effort to remember you and treat you as family. With all his experience on the cruises it was really incredible to see how many of the crew knew him, and actually, some of them also remembered me from that last cruise. I’m sure that Winnie and I made a huge impression on several of the crew. We absolutely made the day of so many people that needed to experience the soft touch of a dog. One in particular was priceless! After a dance lesson, during a time when there was nobody in the room, the young man- from Ukraine- leading the class shared that he had a horrible experience with a dog as a child. he kept asking me, “What is that dog? What is that?” He always wanted to have a dog, but was very frightened . When he saw Winnie, he just kind of melted. There was no one else in the room, except him,  his partner, my aunt, and me so …I let Winnie out of her harness, and she sat down on the floor with him and just melted into his lap. it was such an amazing moment! She knew exactly what he needed. He had to write down what a golden retriever was because they don’t have such a thing in Ukraine. That was a really great Tie That Binds as well. There is nothing like the love of a dog! She brought such love and light to everyone that met her!

Given that we all live in different states and visits are few and far between- it was great to have my dad be able to spend some time with Winnie and of course she goes Absolutely crazy over my brother. I’m so glad that my dad got time to spend time with a select, small group of family. It being in a controlled situation helped heighten the quality of the interactions!

I bless The Seeing Eye, my family and the people involved in my extended church, family, and friends that got me through the anxieties of filling out the paperwork. those ties are pretty tight too. You definitely need help so don’t be afraid to get it. This was a wonderful experience and meaningful to so many people on so many different levels!

I hope you enjoyed my tale of The sun the sea and the ties that bind. Additionally, I  hope there was some practical advice as well. Enjoy the sun enjoy the sea. Enjoy your ties that bind with happiness and  the wind in your hair.

Announcement- Pearls of wisdom from PTGDU

[From: Pine Tree Guide Dog Users, PTGDU, August 2024 Monthly News Update]

Community Connect

• Living Blindfully. PTGDU member Nicholas Giudice talks autonomous vehicles and robot guide dogs with Jonathan Mosen, a well-known and trusted voice in the blind community. Listen to the interview on Living Blindfully – a podcast about living your best life with blindness and low vision.

https://www.livingblindfully.com/episode-289were-now-on-whatsapp-an-accessible-way-to-configure-the-bios-of-thinkpads-and-dr-nicholas-giudice-talks-autonomous-vehicles-and-robot-guide-dogs/

• What’s up, Doc? Our newest educational flyer, titled What Healthcare Providers Need to Know about Patients with Guide Dogs, offers tips for interacting with blind or low vision patients who are accompanied by a guide dog. The photo in the flyer, courtesy of The Seeing Eye, depicts a nurse taking a blind woman’s blood pressure while her black Lab guide dog rests quietly under the chair. Read, print, and share the flyer with staff in your healthcare network. Additional resources for healthcare providers are also available on our website.

https://pinetreeguidedogusers.org/what-healthcare-providers-need-to-know-about-patients-with-guide-dogs/

• Bonjour! Our professionally designed rideshare handout and poster, told from the perspective of a guide dog, is now available in French.  The handout is intended to help drivers learn more about guide dogs and what to expect when transporting these highly trained animals. The rideshare flyer is also available in English and Spanish.

https://pinetreeguidedogusers.org/rideshare-poster/

By land, air, or sea. If you’re planning to travel out of the country with your dog, be sure to take a look at the CDC’s new requirements to return to the US or check out The transcript of the Seeing Eye’s webinar on traveling with your guide dog.

https://www.seeingeye.org/knowledge-center/rights–legal-information/webinars.html

Advocacy Matters

• Splish splash. Did you know that gyms, fitness centers, hotels, and municipalities that have swimming pools are not required to allow a service animal in the pool with its handler? The ADA does not override public health rules that prohibit dogs in swimming pools.  However, service animals must be allowed on the pool deck and in other areas where the public is allowed to go.

https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-faqs/

• Healthcare guidelines. Looking for detailed guidance for safe practices concerning access for patients, visitors, and employees with service animals? Check out Section 3 of the CDC Environmental Infection Control Guidelines for animals in Healthcare Facilities.

https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/environmental-control/animals-in-healthcare-facilities.html

Article- Here are the reasons a dog might gravitate toward your feet

By Rebekkah Adams June 9, 2024

Submitted by retired guide Penot

Does your dog constantly sit on your feet? This is why

Watching the funny sitting and sleeping positions our pets come up with has to account for at least half the joy of dog ownership. It seems that our beasties generally gravitate to one area for their naps, whether that’s the left side of the bed, under the table, or on top of a human. While some of this makes sense, it can be surprising when your dog sits on you in a weird way, especially on your feet. So why do dogs lay on your feet? Using your feet as a resting spot has a long history and stems from a few pretty interesting instincts.

Why do dogs sit on your feet?

Dogs seem to enjoy lying on our feet, and we like it, too. In fact, many people in history have used this pup habit to their advantage, with some dogs seemingly bred for this exact purpose. The shih tzu. in particular, used to sit on the feet of royalty in China, going back about 2,000 years. And many other furry friends have likely sat on their humans throughout time. Why, though, has this trope continued across cultures? There are four distinct reasons.

Love- We’re covering the big one first. Your pup loves to give you affection and get pets in return. “Often when dogs sit on our feet, it’s because they want to be close to us,” said Dr. Mary Burch, Ph.D., a certified applied animal behaviorist to the American Kennel Club. “It’s one way a dog shows affection. Think of your dog sitting on your feet as the canine version of a hug or cuddle.” When your animal tries to snuggle up on your feet, take that as a sign of your enduring bond.

Warmth- Sometimes, your dog sits on you for the simplest reason: They’re cold! In the wild, when the temperature drops, canines huddle together to stay warm outside. Your house probably rarely reaches such frigid temps, but that doesn’t mean they never shiver. In addition to lying on or near your body, you may also find Fido hiding under the covers or in a soft dog bed for a little extra heat. Of course, if you have more than one pet, you’re used to seeing the lot of them crushed together.

Anxiety- Warmth and love are the beneficial reasons your pooch might come and lay on your feet but sometimes they’re motivated by fear and anxiety rather than happiness. Taking your pet with you to a new location, for example, can cause your perfectly well-adjusted four-legger to turn into a Velcro dog. Other things that spark this behavior include changes to the routine, a new addition to the household, or a thunderstorm. Being near you helps to assuage that underlying anxiety because they know you’ll protect the whole family.

Guarding-On the flip side, sometimes a scary situation leads your dog to decide they’re going to take care of you instead. They may feel threatened by a person, another animal, or something totally innocuous like the vacuum cleaner, but they’ll rush to your side or even position their body between you and the attacker. This is normal behavior much of the time and certainly to be expected. However, you don’t want to encourage aggression toward people. Work with a trainer if your dog guards you too much or accompanies it with growling and snapping.

Why do dogs sleep at your feet?

Dogs sleep at our feet for the same reasons they sit down on us, but it also stems from a few other instincts. First, many times puppies sleep with their littermates by their mom’s feet for safety, warmth, and easy access to nursing. They remember that comfort and try to recreate it in adulthood, so the theory goes.

Additionally, many burrowing breeds, like terriers, might only want to sleep wrapped up in a makeshift blanket fort since they were traditionally trained to dig and scurry through holes in pursuit of rodents and other prey. Lastly, surprisingly enough, your feet may be the safest place for them in the bed if you frequently change positions during the night or the warmest if you run hot.

No matter the underlying reason, it’s very sweet when our dogs sleep or sit on our feet. In some circumstances, you may need to discourage the behavior, if it’s related to resource guarding or you can’t seem to catch enough z’s with your buddy there. But most of the time, you should let your pet snuggle up against your legs and take it as a sign that they love you.

Announcement: Advocates for Service Animal Partners Offers state Law Cards

Advocates for Service Animal Partners is excited to announce we are now offering printable state and federal service animal law cards.  These small cards feature the summary of one state law concerning service animals and service animals in training on one side with a summary of the ADA regulations concerning service animals on the reverse. These great informational cards are perfect to pass out when people ask you about your service dog, for you to leave on tables in public places, share with businesses you patronize, or leave along with your tip in a restaurant. They might also be helpful during those times you are denied access when you are accompanied by your service dog!

These templates were created using the Avery template #5871 generally available at all office supply stores and from Amazon. Simply add the paper to your printer, open the template file, print the double-sided cards, and tear them apart. Each box contains 200 perforated cards. You  now have one of the smallest, most powerful tools to bridge the knowledge gap among the public concerning service animals. I do this and pass out cards all day long! HINT: I write my information on the card in Braille and people are even more interested in my cards! I’ll bet they show them to all their friends and it sparks a conversation!

There is absolutely no fee for these law cards; however, Advocates for Service Animal Partners relies upon your support to continue offering our ASAP Service Animal Hotline-

(855-272-7211 (855-ASAP211)

While on the download page, please consider making a pledge of support to help keep the hotline there when IT IS needed most. All contributions are used exclusively to support and enhance ASAP211.

To download your law cards, see which law cards are available, request cards for another state, and donate to fund this work, please visit

https://serviceanimals.info/LawCards.html

About ASAP

Advocates for Service Animal Partners (ASAP) is the only organization in the United States dedicated exclusively to supporting, protecting, and advancing  the civil rights of disabled individuals who use service animals to mitigate their disability and live full, productive, and independent lives. ASAP is a nationwide network of volunteer service animal advocates. Our goal is to encourage, educate, and support service animal handlers through printed and electronic publications, Informational webinars, recorded educational materials, and direct advocacy support, intervention, and mediation. In support of this mission, we also work to educate employers, governmental entities, private companies, housing accommodations, and the airline industry about the rights, responsibilities, and limitations of access under state and federal law.

For more information, please contact Marion Gwizdala, President/CEO

Advocates for Service Animal Partners Inc. (ASAP)

Office- 386-272-7411 (386-ASAP411)

Hotline- 855-272-7211 (855-ASAP211)

Advocacy411@gmail.com

ServiceAnimals.info

Announcement: Blindness and Diabetes Education Classes

Join Our Diabetes Prevention Program

Join the Accessible Pharmacy Services Diabetes Lifestyle Coaches on a journey to a healthier you! Get healthy, stay healthy, and avoid diabetes with this virtual program taught by two women who are blind.

Goals:

1. Lose weight through healthy eating
2. Increase physical activity
3. Learn to identify and address barriers to healthy eating and physical activity

Duration (1-Year):

• 22 virtual sessions spread out over the course of 1 year starting in September 2024

The United States CDC has proven success:

• Participants lowered their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 71%

If interested, go to-

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfuEsIZcTF-daetcZkmXygutsc7z9N-ctvK0nzZRs6qqrOjlQ/viewform

If you have any questions, please email us at-

info@AccessiblePharmacy.com.

Sincerely,

Your friends at Accessible Pharmacy

888-633-7007

https://accessiblepharmacy.com/                 

Accessible Pharmacy Services, LLC

8 Neshaminy Interplex Dr., Ste. 102, Feasterville-Trevose, PA 19053

Podcasts/BLOGS: Check these out!

• Hadley Insights & Soundbites– podcast@email.hadleyhelps.org

Listen in as we get the inside scoop from experts on a wide range of topics unique to vision loss. 

Recent topics–

Low Vision and a Love for Hiking: The All Terrain Cane

We talk to Dave Epstein, the visually impaired creator of the All Terrain Cane. He shares about his life with a progressive eye disease and his love of hiking. These two pieces of Dave lead him to develop his unconventional cane.

How to Avoid Phone and Online Scams When Living With Vision Loss

When you have vision loss, scams can be even more challenging to avoid. Listen in as we get some tips and tricks from Veronica Lewis who runs a low vision assistive technology website.

Be My Eyes: A Free Smart Phone App for Vision Loss

Mike Buckley, Be My Eyes CEO, joins us to talk about how this free, smart phone app merges technology and human kindness and how it’s now using AI to describe the world in front of you.

(You can now listen to Hadley Presents and Insights & Sound Bites, on the phone. Just call 847.558.1317. Spread the word to friends and family who may find getting online difficult.)

Ask the Vet- podcast of Schwarzman Animal Medical Center 

Schwarzman Animal Medical Center’s, In partnership with Sirius XM, podcast is all about the pets we love and how to care for them. AMC Senior Veterinarian Dr. Ann Hohenhaus answers questions from pet parents, chats with leading animal experts, and talks about the most concerning issues for our furry friends. Listen & subscribe to ‘Ask the Vet’ today!

Do you have questions about your pet? Email AskTheVet@amcny.org to have them answered on next month’s ‘Ask the Vet’!

Submit Your Question to ‘Ask the Vet’

The Audio Description Project’s 24th Audio Description Institute is now open for registration.

[From: Dots and Dashes- July 29, 2024]

It is taking place virtually September 9-13, from 1 to 5 p.m. Eastern. The fee is $550. Space is limited, so secure your place today! 

Registration will close on Monday, September 2, 2024. To register, visit-

http://weblink.donorperfect.com/SeptADInstituteRegistration

Two full scholarships are available!

priority will be given to people with disabilities. To be considered for a scholarship, send an email outlining how and why you are a strong candidate, including your reason for requesting financial assistance. Send the email to Tabitha Kenlon, Audio Description Project Coordinator, at tkenlon@acb.org by August 25, 2024.

Questions? Contact Dr. Joel Snyder, jsnyder@audiodescribe.com, or Tabitha Kenlon, tkenlon@acb.org. 

Article- Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education 

If you have a question about pet health, we have the answer.

The Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC) is the leading provider of pet health information.

Our mission is to educate and empower pet owners and to promote the human-animal bond.

With AMC’s staff of over 130 doctors and the knowledge gained from more than a century of experience, we are uniquely positioned to deliver the most reliable and up-to-date information for all your pet health needs.

Pet Health Library- Your A-to-Z guide to common conditions, clinical signs, and wellness tips.

https://www.amcny.org/pet-health-library/

Children’s Education- Resources for teachers and caregivers with children interested in veterinary medicine.

https://www.amcny.org/childrens-education/

Events- Register for our upcoming events and watch video recordings of our past events.

https://www.amcny.org/meet-amc/events/#event=usdan-events

Pet Food Recalls- The latest information on recalls that may affect your beloved pet.

https://www.amcny.org/pet-food-recall/

How-To Videos- Step-by-step information about caring for your pets at home.

(Example- veterinarian and vet tech taking a dog’s temperature

April 08, 2024

How to Take Your Dog’s Temperature

Enlist a helper to hold your dog still. Lubricate a fast-acting rectal thermometer, and insert it into your dog’s rectum just past the thermometer’s tip. Hold it steady until it beeps. A dog’s normal body temperature is between 100.2 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.)

https://www.amcny.org/how-to-videos/

Email list and newsletters – Get AMC Emails and the latest pet health news in your inbox.

Want the best pet health information delivered right to your inbox?

Look no further than the Usdan Institute’s newsletter. Our newsletter features articles from our world-renowned vets, quick tips for keeping your pet healthy, and ways to celebrate the special bond only you and your pet have!

https://www.amcny.org/newsletters/

If you have any questions please contact us at Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education.

212.838.8100

usdaninstitute@amcny.org.

www.amcny.org/usdaninstitute

510 East 62nd Street, New York, NY 10065

Announcement- 64 Ounce Games announces BOGO and website for braille transcription

BOGO on our Braille Pop-Its

Braille pop it, $15.00 

These pop it’s are designed with the 6 braille cells to teach dot location and promote skills such as slate and stylus.

Until the 9th of August you can get these buy one, get one.

https://64-ounce-games.myshopify.com/products/braille-pop-it?shopify_email_activity_id=142946009288&syclid=cqkdj2jepdgs738uji8g&utm_campaign=emailmarketing_142946009288&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email

Have you seen our sister site: 64 Oz! Braille’s transcription services? Use us to get the braille you need for your classrooms!

Check out our sister site now!

https://64ouncebraille.com/products/transcription-services?syclid=cqkdkmnum1ms73dvobn0

64 Ounce Games 

3911 Greenwood Dr., Pearland TX 77584

Announcement- ACB INSPIRE Mentoring Program

[From: Dots and Dashes- July 29, 2024]

From the humble beginnings of the Mentorship, Access, and Peer Support Program, the ACB INSPIRE Mentoring Program will enter its second year during the fall of 2024. Online applications will be accepted from July 19th through August 17th. The 2025 cohort will be selected by September 5th, and the program year will begin on September 19th. The program is a nine-month exploration of learning and grasping new concepts. Activities will conclude on June 18, 2025. The program culminates with a virtual graduation ceremony during the virtual week of the ACB conference and convention. 

INSPIRE refers to Imagine, Nurture, Support, Prepare, Influence, Reflect, and Evolve. The INSPIRE Experience includes an introductory Guide-Explorer meet and greet; informative orientation training; personalized Guide-Explorer team meetings; interactive quarterly check point meetings; empowerment segments with leaders of the blindness community, as well as other collaborative partnerships; optional office hours feedback sessions; support meetings with the ACB INSPIRE Mentoring Team; sharing of inspirational books, articles, poems, quotes, and other material from the INSPIRE Library; participant communication on the designated ACB INSPIRE email list; and end of program evaluation survey.

To serve as a Guide or mentor, applicants must be an ACB member for seven years or more; current on membership dues; have at least five years of confirmed leadership experience within ACB, one of its affiliates or chapters; submit name and contact information for a reference; have personal knowledge of ACB’s history, mission, purpose, and core values; agree to meet with designated Explorer/Mentee at least twice a month; conduct effective goal-setting meetings with a designated explorer/mentee; agree to keep all communication with explorer/mentee private and confidential; agree to attend and participate in scheduled group empowerment sessions, including quarterly check point meetings and optional office hours feedback sessions; agree to submit a monthly report to the ACB Mentoring Team on Guide-Explorer progress; and agree to complete an end-of-program evaluation.

To qualify as an Explorer or mentee, applicants must be an ACB member for at least two years (membership in an ACB state or special-interest affiliate, or chapter is applicable); current on membership dues; demonstrate an eagerness to learn and grow; faithfully attend and participate in goal-setting sessions with a designated guide/mentor; agree to meet with Guide/Mentor at least twice a month; agree to attend and participate in group empowerment sessions, including quarterly check point meetings and optional office hours feedback sessions; agree to submit a monthly report to the ACB Mentoring Team on Guide-Explorer progress; and agree to complete an end of program evaluation.

Now is the time to strongly consider becoming a participant in the program as a Guide or Explorer! Just submit an application for consideration.

To apply to be a Guide/Mentor, visit-

https://forms.gle/a8S13B4Zz2B7994k7

The Explorer/Mentee application is available at-

https://forms.gle/9S9xVszSvr2GpiZ18

The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. Eastern on August 17th. For more information, send an email message to acb.mentoring@gmail.com.

Editor’s note– The following two articles are included because they contain important information. It is crucial to remember that they were written for pet owners, not guide handlers. Please, if your school incorporates treats as part of your working protocol with your guide, read these next two 

articles while constantly keeping the voice of your instructor in your mind reminding you of all you were taught about how/when to use food reward. How all food reward is taking from your guide’s overall bank of daily food/calories! Another thing, it is not only Labs that become obese- all dogs, even guides, will do so if over fed and under worked/exercised! As regards the discussion of the BCS, this is just another tool used by our vets, schools, and us, to keep our partners in top form.

Article- Why Labradors Gain Weight Easily

What Drives Canine Obesity? 

[From: Schwarzman Animal  Medical Center PET HEALTH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER- July 18, 2024, https://www.amcny.org/blog/2024/07/17/why-labradors-gain-weight-easily-hinsights-from-new-genetic-research/]

Weight gain occurs when there are too many calories consumed and not enough calories burned. While this equation sounds simple, it can be complicated by other factors. In this week’s blog, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus reviews the drivers of canine obesity and details new information on obesity in Labrador retrievers. 

Why Labradors Gain Weight Easily: Insights from New Genetic Research In both humans and pets, weight gain occurs when too many calories are consumed and/or not enough are burned. This sounds simple, but the equation gets complicated by factors intrinsic to the pet, owner feeding practices, and/or a lack of exercise. This blogpost will focus on some of the drivers of canine obesity with a focus on new information on obesity in Labrador retrievers.

Canine Weight Gain and an Underactive Thyroid Gland

Recently, when I mentioned the weight of a dog patient to the owner, the first request off the owner’s lips was: “Can you check his thyroid?” Hypothyroidism slows metabolism and is an example of a disorder intrinsic to a dog that results in weight gain. Although hypothyroidism is the most common endocrine disorder in the dogs, in my experience running numerous thyroid panels in canine patients, I have found it is rarely a cause of weight gain.

Too Many Calories from Doggy Treats

Two recent patients of mine had packed on the pounds since their last annual examination. Some detective work identified excessive treats provided by their owners as the culprit in both. In one pup, the treats were 40 calories each. Her daily calorie requirement was 300 calories. Two of these high calorie treats were nearly a quarter of her daily requirement! The other pooch was getting four calorie treats, but she was getting 24 of these treats per day equaling 100 calories. When you only weigh 14 pounds, 100 calories of treats are too much treating. Veterinary nutritionists recommend no more than ten percent of the daily calorie requirement be given in treat form.

New Research into Weight Gain in Labradors

A friend of mine, a Labrador devotee, once joked to me, “Labradors can gain weight on air.” Years ago, I worked with a veterinarian who had to bungee cord the refrigerator door shut to keep her Labrador from helping himself to the entire contents while she was at work. Now there is a scientific explanation for both situations. Researchers in England have identified a genetic mutation in a quarter of Labrador retrievers and a third of flat-coated retrievers that leads to excessive hunger. This mutation might also explain why labs are so trainable – they will do anything for food!

The mutation occurs in a gene called pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC). The POMC gene controls production of chemical messengers involved in multiple physiologic pathways in the body. Labradors and flat-coated retrievers with the mutation have a lower metabolic rate, which, if allowed to eat too much, compounds the weight gain. Interestingly, the POMC mutation does not affect thyroid function, but dogs with the mutation have lower blood pressure compared to dogs without the mutation (but still within the normal range for all dogs).

How to Manage an Always Hungry Dog

If your dog is always pestering you for food, the POMC mutation may be to blame. While you can use a DNA test to determine the presence or absence of the mutation, changes in feeding practices should be implemented for any dog pestering you for food. These include-

1, Split meals into multiple, smaller portions

2,  Use feeding toys to keep your dog from wolfing down their food

3, Try a snuffle mat or lick mat instead of a bowl for serving dinner

4, Don’t over treat

5, Talk to your veterinarian about a high fiber diet to encourage satiety

Article- Obesity in Dogs, Updated: 10/10/23

[From: Schwarzman Animal  Medical Center PET HEALTH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER, https://www.amcny.org/pet_health_library/obesity-in-dogs/]

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention estimates that 59% of dogs are overweight or obese. In animals, fat starts to accumulate around internal organs before it’s visible from the outside. That means by the time you notice your dog has gained weight; his health may already be negatively affected.

Being overweight or obese doesn’t just affect how your dog looks, it also increases his risk for many health problems including-

• Cancer
• Decreased lifespan
• Heart disease
• Kidney issues
• Type 2 Diabetes and insulin resistance
• Osteoarthritis

If your dog does become overweight or obese, talk with your veterinarian about ways to get your pup back to a healthy weight. This could include a change in diet or starting an exercise program. Your veterinarian can help you find a solution that works best for you and your dog.

Body Condition Scoring (BCS) is a quantitative tool that is used to determine a dog’s body condition and fat accumulation. The scale ranges from 1 (very thin) to 9 (obese) with an ideal body score of 5. Changes in a pet’s weight can have many causes including dietary changes, feeding habits, physical activity, age, medication, as well as an underlying disease.

Make sure to discuss your pet’s ideal weight and nutritional needs with your veterinarian.

(the following link leads to a picture, however, it is included in case it proves useful. Just below the link is a description of the BCS)

https://www.amcny.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/APOPBCSDOGCHART1-1_Page_1.png

Body Condition Score (BCS) for Dogs Source: Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. VERY THIN (20% under ideal weight) Ribs, spine and hip bones are easily visible (coat may interfere with observation). Fat cannot be seen or felt under the skin. Obvious loss of muscle mass. Extreme waist and abdominal tuck. THIN Ribs, spine and hip bones are easy to feel and visible. Fat cannot be seen or felt under the skin, especially around the ribs and lower back. Obvious waist and abdominal tuck. Some muscle loss. IDEAL Ribs, spine and hip bones are easily felt and may be visible (coat may interfere with visibility). A waist and abdominal tuck are seen when viewed from above and side. Fat can be felt around ribs, spine and hip bones. OVERWEIGHT Ribs, spine and hip bones are not visible and difficult to feel Excess fat is felt around ribs, spine and hip bones. Waist and abdominal tuck are minimal or absent. OBESITY (30% over ideal weight) Ribs, spine and hip bones are difficult to feel under a thick layer of fat Waist and abdomen distended when viewed from above and side Prominent fat deposits over lower spine, neck and chest.

Announcement- ACB’s 2024 banquet speaker’s book now available on BARD!

Judge Tatel (who was mentioned in our last issue) recently wrote a best-selling account of his life, career, visual impairment, and the positive changes his guide dog brought to his life. His book is now available on BARD. Here is the information as it appears on BARD

Vision: a memoir of blindness and justice. DB122023

Tatel, David S. Reading time: 10 hours, 22 minutes.

Read by John Lescault; David S. Tatel.

Biography of Persons with Disabilities

Disability

U.S. History

“A memoir by one of America’s most accomplished public servants and legal thinkers—who spent years denying and working around his blindness, before finally embracing it as an essential part of his identity. David Tatel has served nearly 30 years on America’s second highest court, the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, where many of our most crucial cases are resolved—or teed up for the Supreme Court. He has championed equal justice for his entire adult life; decided landmark environmental and voting cases; and embodied the ideal of what a great judge should be. Yet he has been blind for the past 50 of his 80-plus years. Initially, he depended upon aides to read texts to him, and more recently, a suite of hi-tech solutions has allowed him to listen to reams of documents at high speeds. At first, he tried to hide his deteriorating vision, and for years, he denied that it had any impact on his career. Only recently, partly thanks to his first-ever guide dog, Vixen, has he come to fully accept his blindness and the role it’s played in his personal and professional lives. His story of fighting for justice over many decades, with and without eyesight, is an inspiration to us all.”– Goodreads. Unrated. Commercial audiobook.

Article- 2024 ACVO/Epicur Service Animal Event Wrap-Up:

Thank you to everyone who participated in our 15TH ANNUAL EVENT WRAP-UP!

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED THIS YEAR!

We want to extend a thank you to everyone who participated in another successful year of free screening eye exams for Service and Working Animals! Just over 260 board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists generously donated their time and services for the event. This program would not be successful without the generosity of our Diplomate Members, their amazing staff, and the financial support of our namesake sponsor, Epicur Pharma®!

2024 HIGHLIGHTS-

“Thank you for supporting working dogs and providing my search and rescue K9 with an exam.”

Jeff Liddle & Kismet the Search & Rescue K9

Dr. Stephanie Bell, of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, performed screening eye exams for the mounted patrol of Kentucky and Lexington.

“These gentle giants and their officers work hard for our community and we are forever grateful for their service.” – Dr. Stephanie Bell 

Frankie was seen by Dr. Isabel Jurk, of Animal Eye Care of New England, as a part of this year’s event. “Dr. Jurk did find an iris cyst in his right eye. If left untreated, this could lead to glaucoma. Frankie was started on medications and will be closely monitored.”

2024 Final Post Event Press Release-

Over 5,500 Free Eye Exams Provided During the 15

the Annual National Service Animal Eye 

Exam Event

Sight-saving eye exams were provided to animals in more than 185 cities across the U.S., 

Canada, Hong Kong, Puerto Rico, and the U.K.

MERIDIAN, IDAHO – JULY 5, 2024 –The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists®

(ACVO) is proud to announce that more than 5,550 free screening eye exams were provided during the 15 the anniversary of the National Service Animal Eye Exam Event, sponsored by 

Epicur Pharma®. About 265 ACVO Diplomates in 185 cities in the U.S., Canada, Hong Kong, 

Puerto Rico, and the U.K. donated their time and resources this year to conduct eye exams for 

Service and Working Animals that provide the following services: guide, hearing assistance, 

drug detection, police/military, search and rescue, therapy, and those assisting people with 

disabilities other than blindness.

Each May, the ACVO holds the National Service Animal Eye Exam Event. Since the event’s 

creation in 2008, ACVO Diplomates have provided over 86,500 free eye exams in hopes of 

catching any health issues early. 

Veterinary Ophthalmologist, Dr. Brooklynn LaFoon, of Carolina Veterinary Specialists- Greensboro,

provides eye exam to Service Dogs during 2024 National Service Animal Eye Exam Event

I look forward to donating our time to the ACVO/Epicur National Service Animal Eye Event every year and this year did not disappoint! I love having the opportunity to give back to the community and these animals are some of the most deserving as they are providing crucial services to their owner, handlers and community. It is a pleasure seeing the same dogs 

and owners year after year such as Magpie, but it is also exciting to see new participants like a 

number of dogs from a local animal-assisted crisis response group that respond across the 

southeast region, or Bradley who assists elementary school children learning to read. This 

event is important as it offers superior care by providing specialized level ophthalmic exams at 

no cost to ensure exceptional vision in the service animal community. I look forward to 

continuing to offer my services in the upcoming years and encourage all working animals and their handlers to take advantage of this opportunity.” Says Dr. Brooklynn LaFoon, DVM, 

DACVO.

The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists®

is an approved veterinary specialty 

organization of the American Board of Veterinary Specialties that board certifies veterinarians 

as ophthalmologists. The 2024 ACVO National Service Animal Eye Exam Event is sponsored 

by Epicur Pharma®

About the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists®

The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists®

(ACVO®) is an approved veterinary 

specialty organization of the American Board of Veterinary Specialties and is recognized by the 

American Veterinary Medical Association. Its mission is “to advance the quality of veterinary 

medicine through certification of veterinarians who demonstrate excellence as specialists in 

veterinary ophthalmology.” To become board certified, a candidate must successfully complete 

a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, a one-year internship, a three-year ACVO® approved 

residency and pass a series of credentials and examinations. For more information, please visit 

www.ACVO.org. 

About Epicur Pharma®

Epicur Pharma is a division of Stokes HealthcareTM (founded in 1975), sister division to Stokes 

Stokes 

Pharmacy®

, and a dedicated ACVO supporter for many years. Adding a unique offering to the 

veterinary industry, Epicur Pharma®

is an FDA Registered 503B Outsourcing Facility that follows 

Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) which are FDA enforced regulations. Every drug 

is 100% manufactured to FDA standards so you can be confident in the quality of your pet’s 

prescription. As a loving pet owner, you oversee your pet’s safety and wellbeing. With 

medications from Epicur, you’ll be fulfilling that promise. Epicur Pharma®

is proud to be a 

pioneer in animal drug standards, offering the largest selection of manufactured drugs that are 

traditionally compounded. For more information, go to epicurpharma.com.

Announcement- Handy online tool makes personalized assistive tech recommendations for people with sight loss

[From: Tech-VI- Thursday, July 11, 2024, David Goldfield, Blindness Assistive Technology Specialist

WWW.ScreenReaderTraining.com]

The charity Guide Dogs(Canada) has launched the new Tech Selector on its website, which is an innovative tool that is designed to empower people with vision impairments by delivering personalized recommendations for assistive technology products and services tailored precisely to their needs. 

The Tech Selector’s aim is to reduce the need for human assistance, giving more independence and freedom to navigate technology suited to them. 

Guide Dogs says it created the online tool to tackle the issue of people with sight loss struggling to identify the right assistive technologies that is relevant for them, such as smart home devices, AI solutions, mobility aids, and orientation apps. 

The charity worked with a range of sight loss sector partners and people with lived experience of vision impairment to create the Tech Selector. 

A customer insight study conducted by Guide Dogs, RNIB, and the Thomas Pocklington Trust highlighted that 60 percent of people with vision loss felt it was quite or very important for there to be changes and improvements to training to use technology to its full potential. This rose to 70 percent for the development of new smart technology and apps to support people with vision loss. 

Similarly, the working group of charities has identified the digital issues faced by the sight loss community, ranging from a dearth of information and confidence to limited access to training and professional support. 

“Tech Selector represents a significant leap forward in our mission to foster greater independence and accessibility for individuals with vision impairments,” remarked Sarah Brandwood, Senior Product Manager at Guide Dogs. “By streamlining the process of discovering and selecting accessible technologies, we aim to minimize the barriers that often impede the adoption of these life-changing solutions.” 

Designed to cater to both newcomers and seasoned users of accessible technologies, the Tech Selector claims to dramatically reduce the time and effort required to explore available solutions. The tool offers a seamless and intuitive experience, ensuring that individuals with vision impairments can harness the full potential of technology to enhance their daily lives, Guide Dogs underlines. 

“Accessibility should never be an afterthought; it should be at the forefront of every technological innovation,” added Sarah. “With Tech Selector, we are not only bridging the gap between technology and accessibility but also empowering individuals with vision impairments to embrace a future filled with possibilities.” 

The Tech Selector is a web-based tool that will be hosted on the Guide Dogs website on behalf of the Vision Partnership and the wider sight loss sector. It will enable people to find a list of technology products, apps, and software that could be useful to them. People can select a number of different category filters to tailor the search results to best fit their needs and circumstances. 

Once someone has identified potential technology solutions that would suit them, as well as self-contained information on the Guide Dogs technology hub, the site will also signpost people to further information from a range of national and local sight loss organizations. 

Marie Howarth, from Oldham, was born with a rare sight condition called primary congenital glaucoma and is registered as severely sight impaired. As a young child, she had no sight in her right eye and some sight in her left eye. She went to a mainstream school and could read and write. When she was about six and a half years old, she had surgeries to release pressure, which resulted in a detached retina and she lost her remaining sight. 

Marie has been involved with Guide Dogs since her early twenties when she was partnered with her first guide dog. Her second guide dog, Bertie, has just retired, so she is using a cane while waiting for her third guide dog. 

As a young woman with a vision impairment, Marie says her life is massively improved by two things – her guide dog and technology. 

Marie commented: “I use technology in almost every part of my life. I couldn’t be without my Apple iPhone and I manage my home with smart technology, and use various apps and devices in my daily life. 

“The accessibility of third-party apps can still be a bit hit and miss. I always try free apps first, and I’d never pay for an app unless I could be sure it’s completely accessible. 

“I’m a real advocate for using mainstream technology. Specialist technology can be so expensive and I don’t think people with a vision impairment should be penalized and have to pay more just to use tech. When I use mainstream tech, it also means that if something goes wrong with it or I can’t find something, I can always just turn off the VoiceOver and pass it to my sister or someone. If it was specialist tech she would have no idea how to use it.” 

Recently, Aira, an app that provides on-demand, remote visual interpretation for visually impaired and blind individuals, launched an AI image feature. The feature allows Aira users to take a photo; share from their photo gallery, mobile device, or computer; get a detailed description; ask follow-up questions; and receive free validation of AI responses from a visual interpreter.

Learn more about this Handy online tool-

https://attoday.co.uk/handy-online-tool-makes-personalised-assistive-tech-recommendations-for-people-with-sight-loss/

Article- How to remove tree sap from your dog’s fur and paws

[Submitted by a member]

Tree sap and dogs don’t mix well, so here’s the remedy

By Rebekkah Adams June 1, 2024

When you think of sap, you might picture the good things that come of it, like maple syrup. But this sticky substance can have a bad impact on your pet, and you’ll need to be the one to take care of it. Sap can get all over your pet in summer, leading to matted fur or even an allergic reaction. If you find your buddy covered in tree extract, you’ll have to give them an extra thorough bath, plus a few more steps.

What is sap?

Sap is often called the blood of a tree because it’s what allows nutrients to flow between the roots and the branches. Some trees, like pine, commonly get sap on the outside, and stay pretty sticky year-round. For others, the gummy problem will only occur in spring and summer and mostly stops when the weather cools. Humans have used this substance for everything from medicine to jewelry to glue. When it comes to our beloved pets, though, it’s certainly best if these two don’t mix.

Why is sap a problem for dogs?

A few trees are toxic and their sap can cause a skin reaction or worse if ingested. Those include pine and oak, though sycamore can also cause irritation to the skin. Most will not have any extreme effect on your pup but will hurt their little paws or clump up their fur. Your dog’s feet are especially sensitive since sap can get in between their paw pads and get stuck there. When you discover that your pooch has come into contact with a tree, you should look at their feet carefully. A sudden limp could also mean that sap is lurking there in their little toes.

How to get rid of sap?

This may vary depending on exactly what tree you’re dealing with, but the gist remains the same. You will only need a few things, including a hair dryer, vegetable oil, a dog brush, and pet-safe shampoo.

Soften the sap-

If the sap has hardened, you will have to get it soft again to properly remove all of it. Otherwise, it can be difficult to get this out without cutting your pet’s fur. Luckily, you probably have a handy device already lying around — your hair dryer! You may want to use the cool setting and should always test the air on your hand first to ensure it’s not too hot. Your pup will likely enjoy the spa day though.

Use oil to loosen- Vegetable oil, olive oil, coconut oil, or peanut butter works here (but check for xylitol first, which is poisonous to dogs). While you don’t really want your pet to lick it off, they’ll likely try a little bit. Rub your product of choice into his fur and make sure you cover all affected areas. Then, wait a bit so it has a chance to work itself in.

Brush the fur- Grab your dog brush and start to carefully comb through. You don’t want to snag and hurt them so take it slow. Liberally apply more oil as needed and wipe the residue while you go. It might take a few tries of the brush mixed with oil to remove all the sap that has latched on.

Treat the paws

Figuring out how to get sap off dog paws will be the biggest challenge. We’ll be honest — you may decide to take your dog to a groomer to handle some of this. Sometimes, the sap is so bad that you have to trim some of the fur under the feet. It’s very important to avoid nicking the soft parts, though, as that will hurt and bleed. Otherwise, tackle the step the same way you did the rest of the body.

Give your pup a bath

Lastly, you want to get all the goop off with a nice bath. Grab your pup shampoo and give Fido a last once-over, including those feet. You want all the oil and any last bits of sap to get washed off. It’s best to use a towel to dry them quickly afterward, since being wet for long periods can make them get cold.

Sap can be treacherous for both you and your four-legged friend. It gets into the fur and stays stuck until you carefully rub, wipe, and comb it out. Next time you see or feel this sticky nuisance on your animal, grab your tools and rid your bud’s fur of the tree residue. It seems like a difficult task, but you’ll figure it out in no time.

Article- Hot Weather Safety for Dogs, Updated: 2/23/24

[From: PET HEALTH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER- Schwarzman AMC’s Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education, July 4, 2024, https://www.amcny.org/pet_health_library/hot-weather-safety/,

PET HEALTH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER- Schwarzman AMC’s Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education, July 4, 2024]

On very hot, humid days, the safest place for your dog is indoors, ideally in the air conditioning. If you take your dog with you, it’s important to keep your pup hydrated and to watch for signs of heatstroke, which include heavy panting, excessive drooling, bright red gums, hot skin, and incoordination. At the first hint of heatstroke, play it safe and head to your local veterinary ER. If an overheated dog isn’t cooled off quickly, serious complications like organ failure and death can occur.

You might be tempted to give your pet a buzz cut in the summer months. A trim is fine, but be sure to keep your pet’s coat at least an inch long. Your dog’s fur coat is designed to keep your pup cool during the summer and warm in the winter. By shaving your dog, you may interfere with this built-in temperature regulation.

It’s important to be aware that hot pavement can do serious damage to your dog’s paw pads. Play it safe and schedule walks for early morning or in the evening. If midday walks are unavoidable, try booties or paw wax.  

When the outdoor temperature hits the 80s, pavement temperature can climb to a staggering 135 degrees, which can burn paw pads in just a few minutes. Here’s an easy way to test whether the pavement is too hot: place the back of your hand on the surface for seven seconds. If it’s uncomfortable for you, it’s too hot for your dog.

Now that the warmer weather is here, make sure to keep in mind that hot pavement can do serious damage to your dog’s paw pads. Play it safe and schedule walks for early morning or in the evening. If midday walks are unavoidable, try booties or paw wax.

Article- Which Summer Foods Are Dangerous for Dogs?

[From: PET HEALTH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER- Schwarzman AMC’s Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education, July 4, 2024,

https://www.amcny.org/blog/2024/07/03/summer-food-hazards-for-dogs/]

One of the best things about summer is the food. If you’re like me, going to the farmer’s market for seasonal food, like fresh fruit and corn on the cob, is a joy. Add those summer treats to your backyard picnic of hot dogs, burgers and shish kebabs and you have a memorable summer evening. However, what many families don’t realize is the threat these culinary delights pose to their dogs, in part, because they are difficult to identify quickly using routine x-rays.

The Canine Perils of Grilling

Food on sticks—hors d’oeuvres on toothpicks or meat and vegetables on wooden skewers—are exceptionally treacherous items for dogs. Wood does not show upon x-rays, so it is difficult to identify, and the pointy end of the stick can pierce the intestinal wall resulting in a serious abdominal infection.

It’s not just grilled food that’s an issue; the cleanup poses problems too. Dogs eat indiscriminately, and if it tastes good, it goes down the hatch. Turns out,  it doesn’t even have to be food, one dog showed up with what proved to be a used steel wool pad saturated with grease and bits of burger. It gave the dog a terrible upset stomach, but AMC’s board-certified surgeons were able to remove the steel wool and the dog recovered.

Fruit Pits Can be the Pits for Dogs

Unlike cats, dogs have a sweet tooth, and this can get them in trouble with fresh fruit. Last week at AMC, a dog needed a plum pit removed from its stomach. The situation is not unique to plums but any stone fruit such as peaches, apricots and nectarines. Fruit pits go down easily but, in small dogs, a pit can lodge in the intestine and require surgery to remove. AMC’s Internal Medicine Service removed this plum pit using an endoscope. Another dog got a watermelon rind lodged in its esophagus, and the Internal Medicine Service fixed that one too!

Corn Cob Blockages

Dogs love their sweets, but some cannot resist a bit of salt and butter. Their passion for salt and butter makes corn cobs deadly. Corn cobs show up better on x-rays than wooden skewers, but corn cobs can be hard to find if you are not looking very carefully. In the x-ray below, you can clearly see the corn cob causing a blockage. AMC’s surgery team successfully removed this vegetable obstruction.

Avoiding Skewer, Pit and Cob Hazards for Pets

The obvious approach to avoiding skewers, pits and cobs is keeping the trash can tightly covered. But dogs are sly and during a party will take a shish kebab off the table and eat the food plus the skewer when no one is watching. Children are often to blame as they drop these items while eating. Consider making dining areas off limits to pets, at least until the leftovers can be cleaned up. If your dog is sick and you have recently included stone fruit, shish kebabs or corn on the cob in your menu, be sure to alert your veterinarian to the possibility of your dog having eaten one of these items. Also, don’t forget to close the compost bin tightly. While composting is environmentally good, the bin contents can be deadly.

Announcement- Random other stuff from Dots and Dashes- July 29, 2024

Barbie Introduces First Blind Barbie Fashionista Doll

Barbie partnered with the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), an organization dedicated to creating a world of endless possibilities for individuals with blindness and low vision, to ensure details of the blind Barbie doll, including face sculpt, fashion, accessories, packaging experience, and e-commerce communication, accurately depict individuals with blindness or low vision.

Counseled by AFB, Barbie was committed to represent individuals with blindness and low vision throughout all stages of the design process, from the doll’s sculpt to the dress pattern:

• Accessories: The doll comes with a white and red cane with an identifiable marshmallow tip and includes stylish and functional sunglasses. With some blind or low-vision individuals sensitive to light, the lens provides additional eye protection. 
• Elbow Articulations: The blind Barbie doll includes elbow articulations to ensure comfortable cane use. 
• Textured and Vibrant Fabrics: Barbie conducted testing with blind and low-vision children to ensure that the doll provided an accessible and satisfying play experience for kids with blindness or low vision. With AFB’s guidance, Barbie designed the doll’s fashion to include a satiny pink blouse with a textured ruffle skirt for tactile interest. Additional details include a brightly colored high-contrast hook and loop fasteners for closure on the back of the doll’s top, as well as an elastic skirt waistband to make swapping outfits easier. 
• Packaging and Design: Barbie worked with AFB to create accessible packaging for the doll, including the placement and writing of ‘Barbie’ in braille on the package. 
• Eye Gaze: The doll is designed with an eye gaze facing slightly up and out to accurately reflect the sometimes-distinct eye gaze of a blind individual. 

 The 2024 Fashionistas dolls, including the blind Barbie doll and Black Barbie doll with Down syndrome, are available online and in store this summer at major retailers. 

Notice of Proposed Settlement of Class Action Lawsuit

Attention: All blind or visually impaired individuals who allege they have been or in the future will be denied the full and equal enjoyment of Dollar Tree Stores, Inc.’s payment terminals’ cash-back feature in its U.S. stores.

This notice is to inform you about a proposed settlement that would resolve the class action lawsuit Julie Dalton, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, v. Dollar Tree Stores, Inc., Civil Case No.: 23-cv-00368 (KMM/LIB) (D. Minn.).

The class action lawsuit alleges that Dollar Tree violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act and its implementing regulations by failing to ensure that its payment terminals provide private, safe, independent, and full and equal access to persons who are blind or have low vision within the meaning of the ADA.

Dollar Tree denied and continues to deny liability relating to the claims described in the lawsuit, but takes its responsibilities under the ADA very seriously; recognizes the importance of continued attention not and keeping pace with accessible electronic     and information technology, and has agreed to take the steps necessary to affect a complete resolution and settlement of all claims and controversies relating to the allegations of Plaintiff and Class in this case. 

The settlement, which must be approved by the Court, would resolve the class action lawsuit. You have the right to object to the settlement, provided that you do so by August 19, 2024. 

The court will hold a final hearing to determine whether to approve the settlement on August 29, 2024.

The date of the fairness hearing may change without further notice to the class.

Check the settlement website at-

www.dollartreeadapossettlement.com

or the court’s PACER systemat-

https://pacer.uscourts.gov/find-case/search-specific-court

For more information about the settlement, visit-

www.dollartreeadapossettlement.com. 

 Bricks for the Blind

Bricks for the Blind (BFTB) is a non-profit organization that brings the joy of building LEGO® sets to blind people. By following BFTB’s free Text-based Building Instructions, people with visual impairments can build LEGO sets and enjoy hours of relaxation, independence, and empowerment.

BFTB has only one goal: to bring the joy of building LEGO sets to as many visually impaired people as possible.

Our text-based instructions are completely free. At the time of this publication, we have instructions for over 100 sets available, with more being released nearly every day! If you’re interested in feeling the empowerment and accomplishment from building a LEGO set completely on your own, for more information, and to browse our collection of text-based instructions,  we encourage you to check out our website at-

www.bricksfortheblind.org

New Monthly Program from NLS

On Tuesday, July 30, at 7 p.m. Eastern time, the Patron Engagement Section will launch a new monthly program called That All May eRead on Zoom. This program, occurring the last Tuesday night of each month, will focus on using the NLS Braille eReaders. Each session will begin with a brief demonstration of a feature or use case. The rest of the hour will be spent answering patron questions about any aspect of the Zoomax or HumanWare Braille eReaders.

You may access the program by going to-

https://loc.zoomgov.com/j/1614539282?pwd=vVKnyVjiG8x91SGk7RN6lgxhb9XyLz.1

For more information, contact the Patron Engagement Section at-

nlspes@loc.gov. 

Editors’ Recommendations

IMPORTANT Editor’s note- announcements and articles included in “Paws for GDUI News You Can Use” are culled from a variety of sources; Hence inclusion herein does not imply GDUI endorses, supports or verifies their contents. Information, ideas, or expressed opinions are not advice, therefore should not be treated as such. Factual errors are the responsibility of the listed source.

Sincerely,

Sarah Calhoun, President

Guide Dog Users, Inc.

Andrea Giudice, Editor

Paws for GDUI News You Can Use

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