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
Toll-Free: 866.799.8436
From the Editor
Hello fellow GDUISters
This issue just kept growing!! It is a bit long; however, I have really enjoyed compiling it and feel confident you will find lots of gems!
I encourage everyone to remember how easy it is to get involved- 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 we GDUISters!
Sending cyber hugs and wags,
Andrea and Super T
From the President
Greetings,
As Fall settles in I hope you are enjoying the season, however, it reveals itself where you live! This is a busy time of year for me personally and for GDUI. This issue is full of interesting information, heartwarming articles, readings that touch on the Fall and Winter of the guide dog/handler relationship, and so much more.
Please remember to mark your calendars to attend the next Candidates Forum. If that date doesn’t work for you, the recording of the previous one is available. The board joins me in extending a great big happy welcome to the annual membership meeting- and of course, speaking of that meeting, don’t forget to purchase tickets to have the chance to give Venture the forever home I have been telling stories about! Remember, this is gift giving season and while I would never suggest you give an actual puppy for a holiday gift, Venture is absolutely perfect for holiday gift giving!
Grab a cup of your favorite beverage, sit a spell and read on- enjoy this issue of Paws!
Wishing you, your guide dog, family and friends a very Happy Easter, Passover, and/or anything else you are celebrating! Enjoy the beautiful springtime!
Happy tails and trails!
Sarah Calhoun and Lakota
For your Calendar
Following are important dates for GDUI as well as other upcoming items that may be of interest. The GDUI dates are listed first.
(many of the items listed are expanded on later in this issue)
GDUI IMPORTANT DATES
Wednesday, 10/4/23- festive and fragrant GDUI holiday fundraiser
Thursday, 10/12/23, 7:00PM (eastern) Candidates Forum
Saturday, 10/21/23, Annual Membership Meeting, and drawing for Venture!
Sunday, 10/22/23- Elections begin
Monday, 11/6/23- Final day of the festive and fragrant GDUI holiday fundraiser
Saturday, 11/18/23, Annual Board Meeting
Other notable upcoming dates-
10/11/23, Webinar- Envision Glasses (Access Ingenuity)
10/13/23, Webinar- Blindness and Clinical Trials (Accessible Pharmacy)
10/16/23, Webinar- Estate Planning and Special Needs Trusts (The Carroll Center)
10/19/23, 16th Annual ITNAmerica Retreat- Attendance is free and open to the public!
10/25/23, Webinar- Menus v. Ribbons with JAWS (Access Ingenuity)
11/1/23, PTGDU annual fall membership meeting- Special guest speaker Lukas Franck
11/3 and 11/4, 2023- Let’s Go Shopping- 2023 holiday edition
12/1/23 and 12/2/23, Blind Health Expo 2023, Registration Now Open
Announcement – Drawing for Venture, a large plush golden retriever, quietly sitting proudly wearing his leather harness handmade by Hava
All during the lazy, hot dog days of summer, through the celebration of National Service Dog Month in September, and finally, now in October with Blind American’s Equality Day on the horizon- Venture is so ready! It is time to leave foster care with President Sarah and go to this mystical place of which she speaks so blissfully- the forever home.
Venture, A beautiful majestic gentle hearted dog, has the very softest, beautiful golden hair, measures approximately 17 inches from top of head to bottom of front paws, 17 inches from back end to front legs, 7 inches wide, and the tail… it is 10 inches long.(of course it is, Venture is a golden!)
Drawing tickets are available now through October 21, 2023 at 11:59 a.m. EDT. The lucky winner will be drawn during the GDUI annual membership meeting scheduled for Saturday, October 21st beginning at 1:00 p.m. EDT. You do not need to be present to win.
Tickets are 3 for $5.00 or 7 for $10.00. You can purchase as many as you wish at https://guidedogusersinc.org/september-2023-drawing, via PayPal (does not require a PayPal account) or call our Office Manager, Lynn Merrill at (866) 799-8436.
Good luck to everyone and thank you for supporting GDUI!
GDUI Fundraising Committee
Sarah Calhoun
Cynthia Hawkins
Lynn Merrill
Article- Helping a Blind Dog Navigate the World
Schwarzman AMC’s Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education
PET HEALTH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
In August 2017, Oliver’s world turned dark when he lost his sight due to glaucoma. But with guidance from AMC’s board-certified ophthalmologist, Dr. Alexandra van der Woerdt, Oliver found relief from pain and now gets ongoing management of his condition. Whether blindness comes on slowly or suddenly, dogs and their humans can conquer challenges together. Here are tips to help navigate this journey:
Consistency is Key: Dogs thrive on a routine, and that’s especially true for blind dogs.
Safe Surroundings: For blind dogs, familiarity breeds comfort. Keep furniture in place and introduce new areas slowly. Fences and barriers protect against hazards like stairs or pools.
Verbal Cues: Teaching new commands like “step up” and “careful” can greatly assist your dog in understanding their environment.
Scent and Sound: Use scents to mark certain areas or introduce them to new spaces. Gentle sounds, like a soft clap, can help them locate you.
Outdoor Adventures: Exploring the outdoors is still possible! Use a harness and a long leash to give them freedom while ensuring their safety.
Canine Companionship: Having a sighted dog buddy can boost your blind dog’s confidence and provide them with a constant companion.
Patience and Love: Above all, shower your blind pup with love, patience, and positive reinforcement. Celebrate their victories, big or small, and watch them thrive in their unique way.
To learn more about vision loss in pets, watch Dr. Alexandra van der Woerdt’s lecture at the link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLj10XjNAi4
Announcement- Explore the Usdan Institute
Schwarzman Animal Medical Center
The Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center is the leading provider of pet health information. We aim to inform and empower pet owners and to share information with the public. With our staff of more than 130 doctors and the knowledge gained from over 110 years of experience, we are uniquely positioned to deliver the best and most up-to-date information for all your pet health needs.
For access to pet health articles, upcoming events, video tutorials, and other pet parent educational resources, visit the Usdan Institute for Animal Health Education at
If you have a question about pet health, we have the answer.
Questions about the Usdan Institute?
Email: usdaninstitute@amcny.org
Visit: www.amcny.org/usdaninstitute
Call: 212-329-8524
Toto’s Pawnderings-
Hey, all you guides out there, I have been wondering about something. It is on my mind particularly as my Mom is keeping me up way past my bedtime editing this issue instead of tucking me in to my crate and snuggling with me, all cuddled under my purple blanket, as we “talk” over the day.
Are you a circle or side sleeper?
Now, here is a cool Fall tip (did you catch how I did that… cool and Fall! I am a punny guy!)-tip unashamedly stolen from another newsletter! *big doggie grin*
THE INSIGHT SCOOP NEWSLETTER- October 2023
A publication of the Southeast Connecticut Center of the Blind
It is fall – the air smells crisp and clean, the leaves are falling, and it is getting dark earlier. Remember safety and visibility are two of the highest priorities when trundling about after dark. Drivers may have difficulty seeing you so here are some tips-
Wear light-colored clothing and stay on the sidewalks when possible.
Always wear reflective gear (coats, vests, arm/leg bands, or carry reflective packs or pouches)
You can also purchase reflectors and lights for yourself or your dog. I wear both. I have a purple reflective collar- I mean of course I do; I am my mom’s dog! and my harness also has reflective material on it. Ruffwear has a blinking beacon for guide dog users that plays sounds when lit so the owner can tell if it is on. You can purchase it at ruffwear.com. Jimmy Leach, GDUI member and owner of jandghoovesandpaws makes collars (flat and martingale) along with leashes that are reflective and come in heaps of colors. He is more than able to create collars and leashes in custom lengths. Contact him at (410) 918-8890
Be very careful when crossing streets. Try to cross in well-lit areas and always use crosswalks when available. Stay aware of your surroundings and don’t take unnecessary risks when scampering about in the dark.
Well, I am going to my crate and make a bunch of noise so Mom realizes how late it is and gets the hint!! Catch y’all later- Toto
Announcement- Recording of 2023 GDUI Candidates Forum 1 now available
Thank you to all who participated in our first Candidates Forum of 2023! If you could not attend or wish to review it again, below is the recording link and passcode for our 2023 Candidates Forum 1. Please join us for our second Candidates Forum on Thursday, October 12, at 7:00 PM Eastern time.
Topic: 2023 GDUI Candidates Forum 1
Date: Sep 30, 2023 12:53 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Passcode: Dn&24YUn
Editor’s note- Thanks Maria K for always getting the recordings out so promptly!
Announcement- online survey to learn more about the public access barriers guide dog users are facing
Submitted by- Patty Fletcher
Hello everyone.
The following is something I feel strongly we as guide dog handlers should participate in.
See below for more.
Dear Seeing Eye graduate:
Please feel free to forward this message to any guide dog user you think might be interested.
Calling all guide dog users who live in the U.S. or Canada or spend time there while working their dogs!
The Seeing Eye is conducting an online survey to learn more about the public access barriers guide dog users are facing as they go about their daily lives working their dogs and the impact those barriers are having on guide dog teams. Are you currently working with a dog or waiting for your next dog? Do you live in the U.S. or Canada or do you travel there with your dog? If so, then this survey is for you and we would love to hear from you. Please feel free to complete the survey regardless of where your dog was trained. Also, if you are blind or low vision and have decided not to work with a dog, you have the opportunity to tell us why. The information you provide will help us improve our advocacy and education efforts. Thank you for taking the time to share this information with us. The survey will close at midnight on November 30, 2023. Please go to the below link to access the survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SeeingEye_Access
Thank you,
Melissa Allman, Senior Specialist, Advocacy and Government Relations
The Seeing Eye
Announcement- October is Medication Safety Awareness Month
En-Vision America, www.envisionamerica.com
October is Medication Label Safety
Awareness Month
We hope you will join us in promoting safe prescription labeling practices.
Prescription labels in Audible, Braille, Large Print and Translated formats help those who cannot read small print or English safely access their prescription label information.
Every year we hear patients and pharmacists say,
“Why didn’t I know about this sooner?”
Please help us spread the word by hosting an event or social media campaign to educate patients, pharmacies, health care providers, and policy makers of the need for and availability of accessible and safe prescription labeling practices. Visit our Medication Label Safety Awareness page for more ideas, social media content, and videos.
We’d love to know what you are planning to do for MLSA Month in October!
Are you planning an event, zoom, health fair, white cane day, or other outreach activity? We would love to hear about it!
Would you like a representative from En-Vision America to join your group on a webinar or conference call?
Do you need brochures or samples to demonstrate at your event?
Are you a Lion’s Club and need pins for your participants? We have Medication Safety Life Saver pins available upon request.
Contact Loretta Roberts at lroberts@envisionamerica.com or 941-702-6709 to make arrangements!
You can also request brochures and samples to demonstrate at your event. on the website www.envisionamerica.com
For information about reaching out to elected officials and policymakers contact Sharla Glass at sglass@envisionamerica.com or 941-702-6602
Don’t’ forget to share your social media posts with us using #MLSA23
Tech Roundup- A hodge podge of technology information
(Top Tech Tidbits, September 28, 2023 – Volume 930)
Great news- now you can follow Top Tech Tidbits On Your Preferred Channel
In addition to receiving Top Tech Tidbits via email every Thursday morning at 4:00 AM ET you can also pick up the newsletter and its trending articles on any of the following channels:
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YouTube: https://toptechtidbits.com/youtube
Apple Updates
- A) macOS Sonoma: New Features, Changes, Improvements, and Bugs for Blind and Low Vision Users | September 26, 2023 | AppleVis
Apple has today released macOS 14 Sonoma to the public. As usual, we won’t cover the mainstream features here, concentrating instead on what’s new and changed for blind and low vision users. For an overview of the mainstream changes, we recommend this in-depth review by MacStories:
- B) Review: Apple Watch Series 9 | Wired: Subscription Required
Apple’s latest wearable has a new chip, new interactions, and some serious OS updates to help you log your mental health:
https://www.wired.com/review/apple-watch-series-9/
- C) What’s New With Siri In iOS 17? | Joe Lonergan | National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI)
Siri got some notable updates in iOS 17. In previous iOS updates, you might have noticed that you can use the Siri voices as your VoiceOver voices if you wish. But you could not customize these voices. Now in iOS 17, you can select a Siri Voice of your choice to use with VoiceOver and you can speed up or slow down the voice to suit your preference: www.ncbi.ie/whats-new-with-siri-in-ios-17-2/
Amazon Gives Alexa An AI Facelift As It Launches New Smart Speakers
The new Alexa will have a more human-like voice and will be able to hold more natural conversations without being prompted by a wake word:
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/20/amazon-event-2023-heres-everything-the-company-just-announced.html
‘Be My AI,’ Soon Available for Hundreds of Thousands of Be My Eyes Users
Be My Eyes’ AI assistant, powered by GPT-4, is rolling out to hundreds of thousands of iOS users over the next several weeks:
https://www.bemyeyes.com/blog/announcing-be-my-ai
Android 14 Features: Everything You Need To Know
From privacy to accessibility and more, here’s what you should know now that Android 14 betas are out:
https://www.androidauthority.com/android-14-features-3280726/
Linkedin Adds Accessibility Features With The Help Of Microsoft’s Immersive Reader
Here at Top Tech Tidbits, we concur with David Goldfield’s commentary around these updates, that while appreciated, the LinkedIn experience still provides a poor and awkward navigation experience to non-sighted users. And the experience for sighted users is not an awful lot better. LinkedIn serves up one of the most complex sighted user interfaces that I have ever used. And as a Marketing Manager I use them all.
Engadget: The platform will support text-to-speech and real-time translations in articles and newsletters:
Letter-from a GDUI member, and JP Morgan Chase Leadership award recipient
2023 ACB Convention Experience Narrative
Liz Bottner
Date: 7/15/2023
To the 2023 DKM Committee:
I remain grateful, honored and humbled to have been selected as a 2023 JP Morgan Chase Leadership award recipient. In attending the convention in-person this year, I feel that I was able to deepen those connections I have with current ACB members, whether or not those individuals hold an official leadership title, make initial connections with (up to the point of the convention) ACB leaders who I had not yet met, learn from the various convention sessions I attended and overall continue to develop and grow in terms of my personal and professional leadership journey. I believe I gained takeaways from the experience that I will be able to apply to my local and national work both inside and outside of ACB.
I very much appreciated the JP Morgan Chase Leadership reception as it gave me time to get to know more about my fellow leadership classmates in a smaller setting. Yes, we did have a Zoom meet-and-greet prior to the convention, but meeting in-person has a different feeling than does meeting virtually. I honestly wish there had been more opportunities to get to know my fellow leadership classmates in a structured setting, in terms of scheduled time to do so, not necessarily in terms of the structure of how this would have been done. It happened that some of us connected in other sessions as it was, but it was harder to plan connecting outside of structured times given the different schedules we ended up having, depending on our own unique interests and needs for attending sessions.
I found that I was able to take something away from every session I attended, whether that was from what was presented or from me speaking up and providing a perspective/comment that I felt would be helpful in terms of what was being discussed. In the session on how to conduct a well-run meeting, I would have liked to have seen a roleplay take place at the end of the presentation related to how a meeting should be run, to put into play everything that was discussed in terms of topic items that stemmed from the roleplay at the beginning of the presentation related to how not to run a meeting for the purpose of seeing in action what a well-run meeting looks like. TO me, I think that would have better cemented to the audience the overall takeaways of the presentation. I found the general session programming interesting and varied such that it appealed to a wide variety of subjects and important informational topics. I also appreciated the mix of general sessions to breakout sessions and found the mix of both to work well. Thank you for allowing me to reflect on my experience and for the opportunity to attend the convention in the first place.
The Calendar-more details-
Guide Dog Users, Inc., is holding our popular festive and fragrant holiday fundraiser
Dates- Wednesday, 10/4/23 through Monday, 11/6/23
Brighten your home with these beautiful holiday live, evergreen displays. These make great holiday gifts for your family and friends!
In addition to the 22-inch mixed evergreen wreath and the 12-inch diameter centerpiece, we have a new item- a 19 inch Tall Snowy Gift Reindeer!
After the directions on how to access the website are descriptions of each of the above items.
When you are ready to order enter on this link:
https://sherwoodfundraiser.com/guidedogusersinc
You will be directed to another page, then enter on:
VIEW ALL PRODUCTS
The last day to order is November 6, 2023. Please feel free to share our live evergreen fundraiser!
If you need help in placing your order(s), please contact me by email sc-tico@att.net or call me at (636) 942-5956.
And now, here are the wonderful holiday items! Enjoy!
Tall Snowy Gift Reindeer
This tall, snowy reindeer is approximately 19 inches tall, snow dusted with a faux wreath and crafted from high quality metal, ensuring durability and longevity so you can enjoy its beauty for years to come
Price: $35.00
22-inch Mixed Evergreen Gift Wreath
Noble fir, incense cedar, berried juniper and faux holly berries with a Deluxe, red and gold snowflake bow
Poly bag wrapped to retain moisture
Guaranteed fresh delivery within the first two weeks after Thanksgiving
Price: $48.00
Gift Centerpiece
Cedar, noble fir, pine and berried juniper arranged in an oasis block and bowl faux white snow berries and red holly berries
Approximately 12 inches in diameter
Includes 10-inch tapered LED candle
Delivered within 2 weeks after Thanksgiving
Price: $47.00
We appreciate your support! Happy Holidays!
GDUI Fundraising Committee
Webinar- Envision Glasses: New Features and Advancements
Presented by Access Ingenuity
Date- October 11, 2023
Time- TBA
The Envision Glasses are quickly becoming an essential tool for the visually impaired. Lightweight glasses with a camera and direct speaker, Envision Glasses speak out text and environmental information, recognize faces, light, and colors, and let you share that information. Envision Glasses is unobtrusive and intuitive, excelling in text recognition, including handwriting in over 60 languages. This session will focus on some new features available now, which harness the power of GPT-4 by OpenAI, one of the most advanced language models in the world, to understand and answer natural language questions. This new feature brings next-level access by giving users nearly unlimited control over how they interact with scanned text. Join Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity on a virtual tour of this technology. We will also have a team member from Envision join us to add valuable insights and maybe even some “insider” information on what’s in store for this technology. Learning Outcome: General overview of the glasses. In-depth discussion and demonstration of the new “Ask Envision” feature and others. How these glasses impact users at work, school, and home. Discussion on what features to look forward to in the coming months:
Webinar- Blindness and Clinical Trials
Presented by- Accessible Pharmacy
Date-
October 13, 2023
Time- 9AM PT, 10AM MT, 11AM CT, 12PM ET, 4PM GMT
Please join us as we discuss clinical trials for the blind and low vision community with these expert presenters: Ben Shaberman, VP Science Communications Foundation Fighting Blindness. Marin Allen, former Deputy Director of Communications, National Institute of Health. Maggie Cashion, Clinical Research Manager, Prism Vision Group:
https://accessiblepharmacy.com/blindness-and-clinical-trials-webinar/
Webinar, Estate Planning and Special Needs Trusts
Presented by The Carroll Center for the Blind
Date- October 16, 2023
Estate planning is one of the most important processes an individual can complete to ensure their family’s financial security after their passing. Celebrate National Estate Planning Awareness Week with the Carroll Center for the Blind by joining us for a webinar on Monday, October 16 at 12:00 pm.
The Carroll Center has partnered with experts from PLAN of MA & RI, our Exclusive Trust Partner, and the law firm of Bowditch & Dewey to offer this informational webinar about Estate Plans, Special Needs Trusts, and how they can help you and your loved ones plan for your future.
Special Needs Trusts are one component of an estate plan that allows money to be set aside for a person with a disability. The trust helps to preserve funds for this person, enhances their quality of life, and protects their eligibility for public benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income.
Speakers
- Kathy Vitello, LSW, Director of Operations at PLAN of MA and RI
- Eileen Y. Lee Breger, Esq., Attorney, Bowditch & Dewey, LLP
What You’ll Learn About
- The different components of an Estate Plan
- The various types of Special Needs Trusts
- Why a Special Needs Trust is beneficial for a disabled individual
- How to provide funds for a disabled individual without interfering with public benefits.
Who Should Attend
- Individuals who want to learn more about establishing an Estate Plan
- Parents, family members, and other caregivers of a person with a disability
- Individuals who think they could benefit from a Special Needs Trust
- Individuals who receive or potentially will apply for public benefits.
About The Carroll Center for the Blind is the foremost leader in vision rehabilitation services for individuals confronted by the challenges of vision loss. Our mission is to empower those who are blind or visually impaired to achieve independence and to lead a fulfilling life. Established in 1936, the renowned Carroll Center for the Blind has been serving those with vision impairment for over eight decades; we are known nationally as a premier Vision Rehabilitation Center. Located just outside of Boston on a sprawling campus in Newton, Massachusetts, we proudly serve ALL ages and ALL stages of vision loss. With the ongoing promise of improving the lives of people with vision-related problems, The Carroll Center for the Blind has pioneered many innovative services allowing people who are blind or have low vision to learn the skills to be independent in their homes, in class settings, and in their workplaces. Our services include vision rehabilitation, vocational and transition programs, assistive technology training, educational support, and recreation opportunities for individuals who are visually impaired of all ages. For over 80 years, the expertise of Carroll Center staff has provided help for thousands of blind and visually impaired persons with diverse opportunities for success and independent living.
16th Annual ITNAmerica Retreat- Transportation on the Horizon: Empowering Community Mobility
Hosted by ITNAmerica
Date- October 19, 2023
Time- 12:00pm (Eastern)
Attendance is free and open to the public!
The Annual Conference is from 12:30–2:30PM and is followed by an optional ITNCountry workshop, 3:00-4:30pm. Both events are free, virtual and all are welcomed to attend.
Register here: itnretreat.org/register/
Webinar- Menus v. Ribbons with JAWS
Presented by Access Ingenuity
Date- October 25, 2023
Time- 10AM PT, 11AM MT, 12PM CT, 1PM ET, 5PM GMT
Want to know how to navigate menus and ribbons with JAWS? Join Marisa Church and Ian Ramos from Access Ingenuity to review the differences between menus and ribbons by activating in separate programs and presenting hotkeys. Learning Outcomes: Discuss the difference between menus and ribbons. Explore programs with menus or ribbons. Demonstrate commands for navigating menus and ribbons:
Pine Tree Guide Dog Users annual fall membership meeting
Date- Wednesday, November 1st
PTGDU will hold(virtually) its annual fall membership meeting.
Special guest speaker Lukas Franck, COMS, GDMI, and recent recipient of the prestigious Ken Lord Award, the highest honor bestowed by the International Guide Dog Federation will share his extensive knowledge and experiences about improving safety and walkability for blind and low vision pedestrians.
Wait, you’re not a member of Pine Tree Guide Dog Users yet?
Join now and receive three free months! Dues paid after October 1st 2023 will provide membership with PTGDU through December 31st 2024.
info@pinetreeguidedogusers.org
https://pinetreeguidedogusers.org/
Shopping event- Let’s Go Shopping 2023 Holiday Addition
Laura Legendary
Dates- November 3 and 4, 2023
If you are a business owner, consider this your invitation to join us as a vendor. I’m looking for entrepreneurs who want to present their best products for the holidays. Food, fashion, accessories, gadgets, crafts, or artists selling their work are examples of the kinds of vendors I’m looking for. There are a few important guidelines to which all vendors must adhere, and not everyone is eligible to participate, but if you or if someone you know might be interested, keep reading.
To get started, follow this link and complete the instructions:
https://accessibleinsights.info/blog/lets-go-shopping/.
You can also read my most recent blog post about the event here:
After I receive your info, we will have a quick chat about your business. Once your eligibility is confirmed, you’ll receive our vendor guidelines containing everything you need to know to become a seller on Let’s Go Shopping. The registration deadline is Friday, October 13th.
A few F A Q’s:
* You do not need to have a disability in order to participate as a vendor in LGS. However, you must have a fully accessible web site, or provide alternative means by which customers can place orders, such as via email or over the phone. You must provide excellent customer service.
* Your business must be individually owned and operated, with an inventory that you control. Product representatives, associates, consultants, or employees of a corporation are not allowed. MLM schemes or any organization with a “downline,” or that encourage others to host parties to sell products , or to enroll in their program, are not allowed.
* While there is no charge for attendees, participating vendors pay a registration fee.
If you know someone who might like to become a vendor for LGS8, feel free to share this email. Please select the links above, follow the instructions, and when I receive their business info, we will arrange for a quick interview.
Laura Legendary, founder
Let’s Go Shopping Virtual Events
Blind Health Expo
Accessible Pharmacy Services
December 1, 2023
10:00AM to 4:00PM Eastern Time
Join us for the 2nd annual Blind Health Expo! The Blind Health Expo is the largest virtual event of healthcare information, products, services, and medication for individuals in the blind, low vision, and disability communities.
Exhibitors can:
- Register for FREE
- Interact with thousands of attendees
- Showcase their products and services
Have questions about exhibiting? Exhibitor Information Sessions:
Wednesday, October 4, 2023 and Wednesday, October 25, 2023
To attend, send an email to- info@AccessiblePharmacy.com
Click the following link to Exhibit for FREE: accessiblepharmacy.com/expo-exhibitor-information/
Attendees can:
- Browse virtual exhibit booths
- Learn about services and products in the healthcare and disability communities
- Network with organizations and companies across the country
- Learn about our Accessible Pharmacy 2023 Vision Healthcare Award Winners
Click the following link to Attend for FREE: accessiblepharmacy.com/expo-attendee/
If you have any questions, please send us an email.
Sincerely,
Your friends at Accessible Pharmacy
Accessible Pharmacy Services, LLC
1-888-633-7007
https://www.accessiblepharmacy.com/
Article- LEGO® Braille Bricks on Sale for the First Time
Bringing Braille Fun Home: LEGO® Braille Bricks on Sale for the First Time
August 24, 2023
- Following an overwhelming response from around the world, LEGO® Braille Bricks are now available to purchase online at LEGO.com.
- The launch marks a significant milestone in the development of more inclusive learning through play experiences.
- With both braille and printed letters, numbers and symbols on each brick, and games designed for all ages, the new ‘LEGO Braille Bricks – Play with Braille’ set makes learning braille more fun and accessible to everyone.
- Available in English and French from 1st September 2023 with pre-order starting 24th August and additional languages to follow next year.
Billund, Denmark, 24th August 2023:Ahead of World Blind Awareness Month this October and in response to global demand, the LEGO Group announces LEGO® braille bricks are available to purchase for the first time through LEGO.com. The new product – LEGO® Braille Bricks – Play with Braille – is aimed at kids aged 6+ and has been designed so that anyone who is curious about braille, be they blind, partially-sighted or sighted, can have fun getting to know the braille system at home with their family members in a playful, inclusive way.
Martine Abel-Williamson, President, World Blind Union, commented: “For blind and partially sighted children, and adults for that matter, it makes all the difference if they can share their journey of learning braille with the people they love the most. For the blind community, braille is not just literacy, it’s our entry to independence and inclusion into this world, and to have LEGO Braille Bricks made available for the wider public is a massive step forward to ensuring more children will want to learn braille in the first place. And because it’s based on a product that so many families already know and love, this is really an invitation for all family members to have fun building tactile skills and getting familiar with braille using the same tool.”
Until now, LEGO Braille Bricks have only been distributed free of charge by the LEGO Foundation to organizations* specializing in the education of children with vision impairment Since the launch of these educational kits in 2020, feedback from parents, carers, grandparents, children, and educators has continually highlighted the positive impact the bricks have and how they transform the way children with vision impairment can learn braille. This overwhelming response has led to the creation of LEGO Braille Bricks – Play with Braille to give families the opportunity to enjoy the benefits and practice their tactile skills at home.
Lisa Taylor, mum to 7-year-old Olivia and 4-year-old Imogen, commented: “Olivia first discovered LEGO braille bricks at school and they had such a big impact on her curiosity for braille. Before then, she found it hard to get started with the symbols but now she’s improving all the time. To have a set at home changes everything. We can play with braille together as a family and she can introduce braille to her little sister in a way they both love. LEGO braille bricks are accessible for her without being really different for other kids, so she gets to play and learn just like every other child. That makes her feel included which is so important, not just to Olivia but any child.”
Braille includes 287 bricks in five colours: white, yellow, green, red and blue. All bricks are fully compatible with other LEGO products and the studs on each brick are arranged to correspond to the numbers and letters in the braille system, with the printed version of the symbol or letter situated below the studs.
The set also includes two baseplates to build on and comes in packaging with braille embossing. To enhance the play experience and support pre-braille skill development, a series of supporting play starters are available on LEGO.com and will teach players how to orient, attach and stack the bricks through well-loved games such as Rock, Paper, Scissors, which all members of the family can take part in.
Rasmus Løgstrup, LEGO Group Lead Designer on LEGO Braille Bricks said: “Play has the power to change lives; when children play, they learn vital life-long skills, so we were thrilled by the reception that LEGO Braille Bricks received in educational settings. We’ve been inundated with thousands of requests to make them more widely available, so we just knew we had to make it happen!”
“It’s been a fantastic journey collaborating with children, families and experts from around the world to develop the product and online activity packs. Our partners have been instrumental also in advising on what colourways should be used for the bricks, product packaging and digital experiences to ensure this is optimised for individuals who experience low vision and vision loss. We know this is a strong platform for social inclusion, and can’t wait to see families get creative and have fun playing with braille together.”
With its ongoing commitment to make its play experiences more inclusive, the LEGO Group has also partnered with the free mobile app Be My Eyes. The popular app connects blind and partially sighted people with companies to help with everyday tasks through a live video call. As part of the partnership, LEGO Customer Service colleagues will provide confidential, live visual assistance through the app covering support from a wide range of topics from unboxing, to general product support.
Mike Buckley, Chairman and CEO, Be My Eyes, commented: “The fact that the LEGO Group is investing in inclusion is huge because so many people in the blind and low vision community already love and enjoy LEGO products. Be My Eyes is incredibly honored to partner with the LEGO Group to enable and inspire the creativity of blind and low vision builders across the globe.”
The LEGO Group is also pleased to announce that LEGO® Audio & Braille Building Instructions will now become a permanent offering. Inspired and co-developed by entrepreneur Matthew Shifrin who is blind, this experience gives builders the option of having select LEGO building instructions available as audio or text for braille readers.
LEGO Braille Bricks – Play with Braille is priced at 89.99 USD and now available for pre-order in English and French versions ahead of launch September 1st 2023. In early 2024, the set will also be available in Italian, German and Spanish versions.
The LEGO Foundation will continue to carry out research and distribute LEGO Braille Bricks educational kits free of charge through partnering national blindness associations and other partnering organizations.
Notes To Editors
For more information, please contact media@LEGO.com
Note: *LEGO Braille Bricks as a concept has been tested and developed in close collaboration with partnering blind organization’s from around the world.
LEGO Braille Bricks educational toolkits are distributed free of charge to select institutions, schools and services catering to the education of children with vision impairment. In each country where they are available, the LEGO Foundation works with an Official Partner to distribute them to these institutions.
Announcement-Shirts, and more, with blind themes available now
64 Ounce Games- www.64ouncegames.com
We’ve just created a new site on Threadless where we have put some blind themed shirts and other things like mugs, phone cases and more.
Available in multiple colors and sizes
Shirts include…
Blind not Deaf – Shows a stick figure yelling at a blind stick figure
Do I look like a know sign? – A shirt celebrating the question that blind people are asked all the time
WARNING! Don’t touch me – A shirt showing a blind stick figure smacking someone who touched without permission with their cane
A black circle that says “I read in the dark” in print and braille
A picture with a blind stick figure saying “I don’t speak braille”
Snippets from THE VISCARDI CENTER
Digital Accessibility Advisor – September 2023
Massachusetts Gov Aims to Make State More Digitally Accessible
Governor Maura Healey recently signed an executive order creating the Digital Accessibility and Equity Governance Board, which will work to make the state’s digital services and resources more accessible to people with disabilities.
AI is Helping Expand Accessibility for PWD
Cointelegraph
A holistic approach to empowering lives: how AI redefines the accessibility landscape for people with disabilities.
https://cointelegraph.com/news/ai-accessibility-disabilities
Driving Forward the ADA for Digital Inclusion
American Foundation for the Blind
The American Foundation for the Blind reflects on ways technology plays a role in meeting the expectations of the ADA.
https://afb.org/blog/entry/driving-forward-ada-digital-inclusion
THE VISCARDI CENTER
Digital accessibility is vital to empowering the world’s largest minority group towards equal access and representation online.
Making digital environments accessible allows:
Students of all ages to use eLearning applications and complete schoolwork independently
Customers to navigate websites and apps to shop and use services
Residents to actively participate in the community
Parents to utilize online resources for their children’s benefit
Employees to operate internal documents and applications to conduct work and increase productivity Through global, strategic partnerships, The Viscardi Center delivers digital accessibility services to over 100 businesses, organizations, educational and financial institutions, and municipalities across the U.S.
The Viscardi Center, 201 I.U. Willets Rd., Albertson, NY 11507
516-465-1596
Article- Anders, Safe journey Dear Boy- 8/14/23
By Andrea Giudice, GDUI member and Editor of Paws
I write today with sad tidings. It has taken nearly three weeks for me to gather the tattered pieces of me so as to put fingers on keys. (so much less elegant sounding then, “pen to paper.”)
I find myself employing a storytelling style I have enjoyed in many books but didn’t anticipate utilizing myself-alternating between past and present.
Past- early July, 2023.
While visiting my cousin Laural and her husband we watched a documentary on Dolly Parten. (It was great, by the way!) At one point Dolly sings “I Will Always Love You”, which she wrote. I found the words to this beautiful song, when sung by her, to be far clearer; I understood so much more of what was being said. As I listened Anders came to my mind and heart with such strength and intensity that I was “sure” something must be wrong with him. It was rather later at night than I would generally call Keri, his Retirement Mom, and I didn’t want to telegraph my “certainty” of a problem- so I sent a text just “checking in”; knowing that if something was wrong that would be the opening for her to let me know. (I need to go on the record- if something had actually been wrong, she would have already called and told me!) As my logical self already knew; a text or call delivering news of some catastrophe or another had not arrived, so I was off base of course, right?
Past- Thursday, July 27, 2023
At twelve years and 305 days old, Anders Gus Giudice Hooper crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
As I mentioned earlier, as I knew she would, Keri did in fact call. the call I have secretly dreaded receiving for almost 2 years; the call I didn’t ever want to receive. “Anders is in trouble, we are on the way to the hospital, I really don’t think he is coming home with us.” She also told me that my Mom and Aunt would be joining her and Greg there with Anders.
I was in Florida, days away from my flight home; hundreds of miles away from all of them. I asked her to call me when they reached the hospital. She called, holding the phone while the other hand held our sweet boy.
Anders was surrounded by love, cradled in the gentle, caring hold of four people who honored and respected him beyond words.
Keri talked me through the steps. She told me when he received the first injection of a calming medication, not that the big guy needed it- he never met a vet or vet’s office that made him worry. She told me when the other injection was given. When his enormous heart stopped- when his beautiful soul ran free across the rainbow bridge.
So… maybe there is something to all those blind “seers” of Grecian history! While Anders was only “sick” for that Thursday, perhaps something was brewing Back when I was watching that documentary, “knowing” something was wrong with Anders. (while we don’t know the precise cause of his illness, he went from good to completely unresponsive in the course of that Thursday)
Past- early July, 2023
When Dolly was singing I was, for the first time, actually able to understand all the words to “I Will Always Love You” . While watching the documentary I ruminated on how this song could apply to so many more situations than just the end of a romance.
Past- Thursday, July 27, 2023
As I sat in stunned disbelief after the phone call ended; my feelings in chaos; both to numb to cry and to raw to be touched- the words of the song came back to me- like a movie, the different parts of the song illustrated the different phases of my life with Anders- as partner, as former partner, as late partner.
Present- August 14, 2023
Although I continue to struggle with putting all my feelings, well lots of them anyway, into any type of “formal” tribute to Anders, the theme of the song, and how it “spoke” to me has been bubbling away in the back of my mind.
Past-September 4, 2021
Anders’ retirement. As difficult as it was, time had come for him to enjoy his so deserved reward for 8.5 years of remarkable service.
The following lyrics *speak* to this transition- “If I should stay I would only be in your way. So, I’ll go… We both know I’m not what you, you need. And I will always love you, I will always love you!” I got out of his way, let him go, and he dove head-long, joyously in to a magnificent retirement- to which he took masterfully!
As I started training, building a new partnership with Toto, the majestic, ridiculous, magnificent, epic, irrepressible, galoot was striding alongside , in truly countless memories, as only the knock-kneed; pigeon-toed, slipper-footed AndersSkaugan could!
Again, with the song- “and yet I know I’ll think of you each step of the way”
Present- August 14, 2023
I have been so ragged over the past weeks. Wanting to find a way to put my feelings into words, and being totally unable to bring myself to do it. How to eulogize Anders? How to express all it has meant to me having Keri and Greg gift Anders, and me, with the quintessential guide dog retirement. Along with their son Jackson, his boyfriend Atlas, and the various fuzzy Hoopers, Anders was simply engulfed in love!
He was spoiled; lavished with attention; provided with endless treats; allowed to sniff as often as he wished on walks, furnished with an Anders sized ottoman for his sleeping and lounging pleasure; spent long days lazing on his hammock by the fire pit while watching, from a safe distance of course, the brook babble along; given exclusive under-table privileges; provided private golf cart rides because those suited his needs better; snuggled, hugged, scritched, and petted to his heart’s content!
Finding just the right forever home, just the perfect retirement humans for a guide so as to accomplish the transition from my partner to their pet is immensely complicated. There are so many layers of considerations, both logistical and emotional. Even the best laid, most carefully, obsessively thought-out and through plans could go awry. Well, I really hit it out of the park! Anders could not have spent his retirement in any better situation!
As I stated, almost 2 years ago upon his retirement- no longer being required to make life and death decisions with each step he takes and each command I give ; no longer having all those pesky rules to follow; having the option to “say no” when asked to do something (which he totally embraced, if his middle name wasn’t used he pretty much didn’t hear!)- is the greatest gift I know how to give him; the best way I know to honor his years of work!
I truly wanted him to spend long days pondering whether it was better to chillax in the sun on the couch, the living room rug, or the recliner… maybe the love seat? To be free of responsibility, concern for the safety of me, to bliss out in his life as a dog rather than a guide dog! (both being fine and noble undertakings!)
Again, from his retirement message- (I had to gut my way through expressing it once already, I am going to indulge in a bit of good old self- plagiarism!)
I have been reflecting on the events, experiences, notable moments, joys and sorrows that all share one distinct feature, I got through them with Anders by my side. For me, all my moments- big and small, happy and sad, joyous and devastating, mad and glad, exciting and run-of-the-mill, adventurous and ordinary, vacation and work-a-day, scary and brave, home and away, frantic scampering and chilled out sauntering, familiar and unknown-are better with a guide by my side. I find myself marking life’s events by which dog I was partnered with when they occurred.
So, there has been a flood of event remembrances, momentous and mundane that coincide with the tenure of Anders.
Of course, there are the not so usual- cruises; train, bus, and plane trips; planning and attending conferences- alone or with friends; and so many road trips. The more usual daily life stuff- countless board, committee, and support group meetings; running errands in the neighborhood; walks with friends; visits to family near and far; simply doing life’s stuff. More challenging things like starting, losing, starting, leaving, and starting jobs; dealing with health crises; having and recovering from surgeries; the apartment floods of 2019 and 2021; the deaths of both my amazing Grandmothers; And struggling with all that the pandemic brought to bear.
Certainly, this is only the tip of the iceberg, however, it speaks to the moments that make up the minutes, days, weeks, months and years of the A Team.
Yet, all of this doesn’t touch on the quiet moments, the small things, the enormity of feelings that comprise the hugeness of life with Anders.
The sound of his gentle snores; his madly wagging tail making joyous music; the reassuring feel of his paw laying over my foot; the weight of his gaze as he stares in to my face; sneak attack chair hugs; the sweet sound of him nursing in his sleep; the way he jumps with joy- his front feet clear off the ground- when he finds me what I have asked him to find- the trash, stairs, bench, elevator, pretty much anything; when I am sitting on the floor and he gets in my lap, puts his paws on my shoulders and- oh so gently- nibbles my earlobes; the infuriating, yet somehow endearing, fact that no matter how long the leash- it is always one inch too short for him to reach the perfect busy spot; him acting as my personal weighted blanket when I lay on the floor; my trip down the collar rabbit hole, sure a collar for each month sounded so simple, 20 or so collars later it seems less wise; how he sleeps in the smallest possible circle, yet when he lies on his back and stretches out his legs he fills my entire living room; how he is all rough and tumble, reminding me of a polar bear, when he plays with his dog pals but is all gentle and careful when playing with puppies; snuggling with him in his crate- him in a little ball and me resting my head on his hip; the wonder that he is now so reliable in his house behavior that if I forget to take out the trash he never touches the bag sitting, all enticing like, in the kitchen- this given the rocky start we had with regard to sharing living quarters.
The unwavering trust I have in this steadfast, fuzzy, warrior of my independence is immeasurable!
… on the occasion of our second anniversary- Ode to Anders
I am laying here next to my dear, sweet Anders. As I see him through/with my fingers, my love, respect, admiration and awe for and of him swells my heart and swamps me. I feel as if it might burst from under my skin and erupt out of me. How can I ever tell all he means to and for me? He is a stupendous guide, an awesome dog, a most excellent companion… he is Anders!
My fingers trace the contours of his body. They, and my love for him, draw a vivid picture.
His golden amber eyes that see the world for me. An extra-long nose that, like the prow of a mighty ship, cleaves the still, troubled, or rough waters of our path. The long, ridiculously soft ears that flick back to catch my words and prick forward to show his anticipation of what is coming our way. His huge head, in which resides the brain he so cleverly uses, that holds the understanding of a vast array of commands and words. His body, so long and strong upon which rides his harness, the umbilical we communicate through with no need of spoken language. His legs, so long, that carry him stride for stride at my side, into the big world. His white-tipped, ever-wagging tail, which sweeps to and fro as we walk, brushing the backs of my legs, or clearing the surfaces of tables and counters with his exuberance.
As my hand rests on his side, I feel the rise and fall of his rib cage under which beats his brave, strong heart, enormous with love and courage. While our breaths synchronize, I think of the special things I treasure: His fur so soft; his ears like velvet; the slipper-scuffing sound of his back feet as he walks; the feel of his breath, feather light on my cheek; his eyelashes gently tickling as he gives me a butterfly kiss; the pressure of his paw, heavy and delightfully possessive, as he lays it over my foot; the feel of his intent gaze as he rests his head on my chest and looks directly into my face; the sweet sounds he makes while sleeping; the warm wetness of his nose as he touches it to my eyes, as if letting me know it is fine with him that they don’t do the job so he can.
The song again
“So goodbye, please, don’t cry. And I will always love you, I will always love you, My darling, you!” The “” please, don’t cry” is, of course, for me and, of course, simply impossible.
Keri and Greg not only gave you the greatest retirement, they gave you the peaceful, painless, respectful, blessed passing you so richly deserved! For this I am grateful beyond measure! For all the months, weeks, days, minutes, and seconds of your retirement- I am thankful beyond telling!
I have been reflecting on my last visits with Anders. He and Keri had a sleepover at my house, which was wonderful, fun and silly (not to mention popcorn filled)! Our annual Cape weekend happened to fall over the one-year anniversary of Toto and me returning from class, and of course, the following- in December of 2022.
…My heart is full to bursting with the tender peace which suffused me while sleeping curled with Anders on his ottoman (Yes, it is actually Anders sized!), snuggled under a plush blanket, while the Hooper household slumbered. Those quiet hours deep in the night precious beyond telling- our heartbeats in sync, his breath feathering across my cheek, and his magnificent self, keeping me all toasty from head to toe! “Thank you Hoopers for sharing your boy with me in such a special way!”
And, as for the rest of the song- “So goodbye… I will always love you; I will always love you, My darling, you!” Well, of course, that is for Anders – Derbers, Dersey Boy, Ders, Bers, BerGitieBog, AndersDahgon, Augon Daugon, Ahgon Bahgon (or just Ahgon or Bahgon), Auggie Dawggie,
Monster Pantz, Poggy Bear, Goat, Mr. Van Anderpantz (Pantz for short), Bawpie, Dear Boy, Pancake, Puddles, Poppycat, Derbawggens (this isn’t even all of them)- no matter the name by which you knew him he was most undoubtedly one-of-a-kind!
From the night you entered my home- Monday, 2/15/13- through the night you left this plain- Thursday, 7/27/23- to forever and beyond- always and forever- you, Anders!
I miss you with every fiber of my being
From the Kennel Kitchen- Yummy!
(Pine Tree Guide Dog Users (PTGDU)- Monthly News Update- October 2023)
Mom’s Pumpkin Harvest Scones
Seeing Eye instructor Kristen Oplinger’s mom baked up these golden scones to share with students when she volunteered at the downtown training center.
Ingredients
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled
3/4 cup chopped crystalized ginger
1/2 cup coarsely chopped toasted pecans
2/3 cup pure pumpkin puree
2 large eggs
Milk for brushing on top of scones
Coarse white sugar for topping
Directions
Preheat oven to 425°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice. Cut butter into small pieces and work into flour mixture. (The mixture should look like uneven, coarse crumbs.) Stir in crystalized ginger and nuts.
In a separate bowl, stir together pumpkin and eggs. Add to flour mixture and stir just until moistened and dough holds together.
Turn dough out onto prepared pan and divide dough in half. Form each half into a 6–inch circle, about 3/4 – inch thick. Brush tops with milk and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Use a sharp knife to slice each circle into 6 wedges. Gently pull wedges out from center until separated just enough to make a 1/2 – inch space between each wedge at the outer edge. Set baking sheet into another baking sheet to keep bottoms from overbrowning. Bake for 16–20 minutes until tester inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven and serve warm. For a higher rise, freeze the raw scones for 30 minutes before baking.
Tip: For tender, light scones, avoid overmixing the dough.
Article- The bitter sweet season of living with an older guide dog
By Lolly Lijewski
All of the stages of living with a beloved and trusted guide are precious, but the waning days of the partnership are particularly poignant
As they age and health issues arise, you become aware that your time as a working team is nearing its end. So, you begin to notice little things, like how bossy they can be when they think they know better than you do, and they usually do.
Communication happens constantly between the handler and the dog unbeknownst to the casual observer. The team work is seamless.
Each day begins with gratitude for the ability to live and work together one more day. With appreciation of each tail wag.
For the joy of each nuzzle or licked
hand. With delight as we walk swiftly down the street, if just a bit slower than in her younger days.
EACH day brings memories of experiences we had together. Of streets crossed safely, of new things learned and mastered, of traveling on buses and in taxis or ride-share vehicles. Memories of the silly things she does and the humorous adventures we shared together. Memories about the times she just came to lay at my feet to be nearby. memories that are bitter sweet in the knowledge that time is counting down to the day we say good-bye.
There is not language to express the depths of such a partnership.
With each step she has responsibility for my safety as we travel through life together. Her skill and dedication to the job and to me is admirable from a handler’s perspective.
She chose to do this work. It isn’t always easy or exciting. I know there are times she’d rather be sniffing polls or rooting in the grass for unknown and likely forbidden treasures. I’m quite certain there are times that in her dreams she’s chasing rabbits or playing with her doggy friends. I imagine that there are times when I need her to do something with me and she’d rather be running free somewhere. But, she is committed to me as we both grow older.
I lighten our schedule as it gets harder for her to work in the heat or cold. I make sure she gets her medications and that she has comfortable places to lay and good toys to chew on or retrieve. I brush her and tell her how beautiful she looks.
And as I write my tears begin to fall because I know our days together are limited no matter when the end will come.
We are a perfect pair, she and I, as we both age. she has touches of gray in her shiny black coat as I have strands of silver in my own hair.
I know what it’s like to move through this process. I’ve done it before many times, but it never gets easier. You begin to prepare yourself years ahead of the known separation. The grieving as time grows nearer is deep and profound.
It is however the deal we make when we choose to travel through life with a guide dog. Whether at retirement or at the moment of death, we know there will be an end because they do not live as long as we do.
We can only love them through it and let them know how much they will be missed.
And when they are gone, the void is deep and vast. It seems as if it will never end. We miss the seamless way we navigated through stores and at the office, exploring new places and experiencing new adventures together. We miss them by our side as we travel down familiar streets. We miss the effortless dance as we weaved in and out of crowds, around obstacles smoothly traveling at a speed we never thought possible. We hear the tags on their collars as they move about the house. We smell their cent as we move through our days. We miss their cold nose against our leg and the soft silky coat beneath our hands. We miss the routine of feeding and relieving. We miss their very presence.
They know us better than perhaps anyone in our lives. They see us at our worst and at our best. They celebrate our victories and forgive our failures.
This is not like losing a pet. This partnership is like no other and we who are blessed to know this joy and this pain are truly touched by God or the DeVine, or the universe or whatever monicker you choose to use for the higher power that binds us altogether.
It is so much more than a mobility partnership or a “Lifestyle.” It is a spiritual bonding that helps each of us grow through adulthood baggage and all. They are the teachers and we are the students. Through training and working with them, we become more of who we are meant to be.
They provide us so much more than independence and freedom. We love and cherish them while they are with us. We are grateful for their guidance on the streets and walking trails, and for seeing us through the seasons of our lives. We hold them in our hearts forever.
For as long as she is with me, I am grateful.
This preparing for the time we will not be together, it is a bitter sweet season, but one I wouldn’t have any other way.
Announcement- Telephonic Pet Loss Support
Tufts Pet Loss Support helps pet owners who have lost an animal companion and seeks to serve the community at large by providing resources for people grieving the loss of a pet.
The hotline is staffed from 6 pm to 9 pm Monday through Thursday EST and has 24-hour voicemail. Calls left on the voicemail will be returned at the next scheduled shift.
508-839-7966
Call Today. Callers are assured the assistance of a caring, supportive, respectful, non-judgmental person when they contact our Pet Loss Support Hotline.
Announcement- Making a plan for your dog- if you can’t provide, who will?
(Pine Tree Guide Dog Users (PTGDU)- Monthly News Update- October 2023)
Make a plan and write it down! Who will care for your dog if something happens to you? In the chaos that frequently surrounds a person’s unexpected illness, accident, or death, your dog may be overlooked. To prevent this from happening, watch this video from a trusted source.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhQm44cJNvE
From the editor-
I included the following article from the CDC because I find myself lulled in to a false sense of security that I won’t get caught off guard because I am always prepared to be out for many hours (up to 8 or 10 hours) at a time with my guide. When the truth is that if I had only moments to “grab and go” I am not doing my best by Toto because I am in no way actually prepared to cover his fuzzy ass, or my own ass for that matter, so as to evacuate in anything like a prepared manner.
Article- What’s in your pet’s preparedness kit
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/keeping-pets-and-people-healthy/emergencies.html
Do you have an emergency preparedness plan for your pet?
Planning ahead doesn’t cost anything, but it does help keep you and your family safe during an emergency. Use this easy guide to make a simple and effective plan for your pet. Gather important information. Store hard copies in a safe space with this checklist.
Put together a kit with these essential items. Keep it ready to go in case you have to evacuate quickly.
Step 1. DOCUMENTS
- Important contact information for you, and a back-up person (Name, phone number, address)
- veterinary records
- Rabies certificate
- Vaccination history
- Medical summary
- Prescriptions for medications
- Most recent heartworm test result (dogs)
- Most recent FeLV/FIV test result (cats)
- Microchip information (microchip number, name and number of microchip company)
- registration information (proof of ownership or adoption records)
- Pet(s) description (name, breed, sex, color, and weight)
- Recent photographs for each of your pet(s)
Put all in a waterproof container.(using copies of the above listed documents is best practice)
Step 2. FOOD, WATER, AND MEDICATIONS
- 2-week supply of food for each animal stored in waterproof containers
- 2-week supply of water for each animal
- 2-week supply of any medications (if applicable) •
- Medication instructions (if applicable)
- Non-spill food and water dishes
- Manual can opener
- Feeding instructions for each animal
- 1-month supply of flea, tick, and heartworm preventative
(don’t forget to rotate out food and medication to keep emergency supplies fresh and un-expired)
Step 3. OTHER SUPPLIES
- Leash, collar with ID, and/or harness
- Toys
- Appropriate-sized pet carrier/crate with bedding, blanket, or towel
- Pet first aid book and first aid kit
- Ample supply of pick-up bags (dogs)
- Litterbox and litter (cats)
- Cleaning supplies for accidents (paper towels, plastic bags, and disinfectant)
Pod Casts and Blogs- Check these out!
Top Tech Tidbits- https://toptechtidbits.com/podcast
Blind Girl Blogs- https://blindgirlblogsapp.wordpress.com/2023/09/22/my-top-five-apps-i-use-as-a-blind-person/
Technology has played a pivotal role in enhancing my independence, confidence, and mobility. Here are my top five daily go-to apps that have empowered me to lead a fulfilling life independently:
Article- WayAround- a smartphone-based labeling app
(Top Tech Tidbits, September 28, 2023 – Volume 930)
WayAround is a smartphone-based labeling app that works with your preferred accessibility settings. You just need the free mobile app and some WayTags ® to label items in the kitchen, garden, closet, office & more. If you want to label something that’s inside, outside, wet, dry, hot, or cold, there’s a WayTag that will attach securely. WayTags come as stickers, buttons, magnets, and clips. Each of the different styles of WayTags work exactly the same. Simply choose the WayTag that’s best for what you want to label.
Label your kitchen, clothing, or medication.
Tag specialty items and tools for hobbies.
Organize lots of information about one thing on a single WayTag.
Scan each WayTag 100,000 times or more.
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Article- University pairs up students with service dogs-in-training to help them manage stress and anxiety
By Rima Biswas
September 8, 2023
Rutgers University pairs up service dogs in training with stressed college students who could use a furry friend to aid them.
College life is never as easy as depicted in films and fiction. The burden of exams, writing papers at the last minute, compiling a thesis and attending classes puts a lot of stress on young students trying their best to survive college life. However, one university has recognized this issue, which is hardly addressed and has taken a great initiative to help the stressed-out students. The Rutgers University in New Jersey became one of the two colleges other than the University of Delaware to pair service dogs-in-training with college students, per Good News Network.
These young academics and puppies, who are training for their own canine careers, were brought together by Rutgers University Seeing Eye Puppy Raising Club (RUSEPRC). The Seeing Eye is the oldest guide dog school in the U.S. and they have been training hundreds of pooches to accompany blind people each year. But before these dogs graduate from their canine academy, they have some more training to do in order to become reliable guide dogs.
They have joined hands with the university to host 10 to 25 students who will be responsible for fostering the puppies as they go through the initial stage of their training and also provide comfort to their temporary owners. The club has recruited dozens of student dog sitters like Ethan Saul. He told the outlet, “Luckily, a lot of raisers are animal science majors that can bring their dog to work,” Saul, a 20-year-old business major at the university, said.
“If they can’t, there’s lots of sitters like me who are happy to help watch them.” Saul also admitted that interacting with the dogs is probably his favorite thing about being at the university. “Being a student in the business school, I spend a lot of my time studying for classes like accounting or statistics, which is very dry and boring,” Saul added. “Being able to see a dog on campus, let alone being able to live with one, is amazing! It really relieves a lot of stress for us. As you know, school is exhausting
The Seeing Eye is the oldest guide dog school in the U.S. and they have been training hundreds of pooches to accompany blind people each year. But before these dogs graduate from their canine academy, they have some more training to do in order to become reliable guide dogs.
The initiative not only helps the students relieve some of their stress but also contributes to helping the puppies socialize, which is an essential aspect of their training. “From the second we get them, we shower them with a lot of love and we work on their basic obedience and commands – but the most important aspect of the training that we do with them is the exposure training,” RUSEPRC President Emily Cruz told the outlet. “We never know what type of person they will guide or in what kind of environment they will guide in. They may guide a retired man living in Florida or maybe a young woman with kids teaching at a college in a big city. The possibilities are endless!” she said. “Therefore, we make sure to expose them to many different people, places, sights, sounds, environments, and experiences to ensure that they are the most confident guide dog in every situation.”
The club and the participating students have raised over 200 service dogs as of 2019. In case a dog in training fails to pass the tests to become a service dog, the students who raise them can opt to adopt them. Saul further revealed that those dogs are often sent to live with “a family from a waiting list that is years long.” The RUSEPRC members admitted that getting paired up with these fur buddies was a life-changing experience. “This program has not only helped make a difference in the lives of blind people but also has shaped the lives of hundreds of Rutgers students,” Cruz said. “It might not be easy to give the dogs back up, but knowing that they are doing bigger things in the world and knowing that you played a part in that swells everyone involved with pride. While we teach our puppies a lot, they teach us so much in return. I know that I wouldn’t be myself if it wasn’t for this program.”
Article- The 3 soloists chosen for an orchestra performance? Barking dogs
Dogs perform Mozart with Danish orchestra
The Washington Post- https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/09/12/dog-orchestra-symphony-mozart-danish/
Cookie, Sophus and Sica were all selected to be part of the symphony for their woofing skills
By Cathy Free
September 12, 2023
On Sept. 3rd, three dogs joined the Danish Chamber Orchestra on stage to perform Leopold Mozart’s Hunting Symphony.
Members of the Danish Chamber Orchestra performing Leopold Mozart’s little-known Hunting Symphony began to smile as the third movement began. Three dogs pranced onstage with their humans before the audience of 750 people in Copenhagen — and on cue — the pups began to bark along with the instruments.
Cookie, Sophus and Sica were all selected to be part of the performance for their woofing skills. The symphony features barking dogs, hunting calls and simulated gunshots by a percussionist. Most orchestras that perform the piece choose to use recordings of dogs barking, but conductor Adam Fischer decided to showcase live experts baying in the piece.
“I immediately had the idea that I should try to perform it once in the original version,” he said, explaining that the composer — the father of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart — included what he called “naturalism” in several of his works.
The audience gave a howling ovation after the Sept. 3 performance, Fischer said.
“I did this [symphony] once at a New Year’s concert in Budapest about 20 years ago, but only with one dog,” Fischer told The Washington Post in an email.
“This time, I thought we could stick to the composer’s intention of [using] several dogs that should bark,” he said, noting that he first came across the Hunting Symphony about 50 years ago as a music student.
Adam Fischer, conductor of the Danish Chamber Orchestra, at the April 2023 audition.
Fischer put out a call for show dogs earlier this year, and on April 13, about a dozen dogs and their handlers showed up for an open dog audition at Copenhagen Music House to show off their talent for barking on command. The difficult task of remaining silent on command was given equal merit.
About a dozen dogs showed up for the spring audition with the Danish Chamber Orchestra.
“The dogs showed whether they could bark and stop again, and afterward, a string quartet accompanied them so we could see how the dogs reacted to the music,” Andreas Vetö, CEO of the Danish Chamber Orchestra, said in an email.
Vetö, Fischer and a dog trainer were judges at the audition. Conductor Adam Fischer and several chamber musicians worked with the dogs at an audition to see whether they could bark and stop on command.
Helle Lauvring, 60, was thrilled that her four-year-old Spanish water dog, Cookie, was among the three canines to be chosen.
“I’ve been training Cookie for many years, and I knew she could bark when I asked her to and that she would be perfect for the job,” Lauvring said in an email. “She is very obedient and good at taking commands.”
Adam Fischer “conducts” Helle Lauvring and her dog Cookie at the audition in April.
For the next several months, Lauvring worked with Cookie at home and attended a few dress rehearsals with the other dogs, Sophus, a cocker spaniel, and Sica, a German shepherd. Vetö said the dogs were allowed to roam around the concert hall and spend time with the musicians so they would feel comfortable. They also had a few training sessions with a dog trainer, he said. But the most effective way to get them to respond to commands was having their owners give them treats.
Fischer said working with dogs as guest artists wasn’t much different from sharing the stage with human performers.
The three chosen dogs and their owners rehearsed their roles for several months before the performance on Sept. 3. Including dog performers in the Hunting Symphony helped to temper classical music’s elitist image, Vetö said, because almost anyone can relate to seeing a dog eager to perform.
“The dogs showed us that suddenly we can communicate music to an audience that would not necessarily listen to classical music,” he said, explaining that the canines inspired people who might not attend classical concerts to give it a try.
Although The Hunting Symphony is not often performed, it was put on by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra with real canines at an outdoor concert nine years ago.
Composer Leopold Mozart was an accomplished violinist and teacher who became a court composer for the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg in 1757. He was reportedly fond of the French horn and featured four horn soloists in the Hunting Symphony, written in 1756. The Danish Chamber Orchestra was excited to perform the piece, Vetö said, noting that members are always up for something new.
In 2014, guest conductor and pepper enthusiast Chili Klaus gave the musicians hot chile peppers to eat before performing “Tango Jalousie” by Danish composer Jacob Gade. Klaus, also known as Claus Pilgaard, is a musician and chile enthusiast known for sharing hot peppers with people and filming their reactions. During the performance in Copenhagen, the chamber musicians played the piece, some with tear-filled eyes, then rushed for the exits. With the Hunting Symphony, the only food onstage was dog treats.
Cookie, with owner Helle Lauvring, was in the spotlight on concert night.
On the night of the performance, Lauvring and the other dog handlers waved their arms like conductors to encourage their dogs to bark whenever Fischer gave them the nod. They kept plenty of snacks in their pockets so they could reward their dogs after each solo.
“Cookie barked at the right time, and I could see that she really enjoyed it and had a blast — so did I,” Lauvring said, noting that four of her family members were in attendance.
“I was really nervous to be onstage, but also very excited,” she said. “It was a fun experience. Cookie was really good and performed exactly as we planned.”
Cookie performed flawlessly on concert night, said her owner, Helle Lauvring. Lauvring isn’t certain whether more time in the spotlight is in her dog’s future, because Cookie’s day job might interfere.
“She is also a certified reading dog, supporting children who struggle with reading,” she said, explaining that Cookie focuses intently on each child and helps them feel comfortable reading aloud.
As for Fischer, he said he doesn’t know if other four-legged guest artists will grace the stage again in Copenhagen, but he’s keeping an open mind.
“I would be happy to perform other pieces,” Fischer said. “I love animals.”
Editor’s note- announcements and articles, 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,
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Guide Dog Users, Inc.
Andrea Giudice, Editor
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