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
I am finding it difficult to wrap my head around the fact that the first month of 2024 is behind me! Having the year already barreling away from me at
top speed is not an overly comforting feeling, I assure you!
Presenting the first issue of Paws of 2024 is, on the other hand, a great feeling! This one is rich with announcements. Wait… before you get all snarly,
there are also articles, a couple of opportunities to help with research, a nod to the most popular blind guy in February (Cupid), and more!
I encourage everyone to remember how easy it is to contribute to our publication: 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!
With Cupid in mind, give your pups extra smooches on their fuzzy noses, right between their lovely eyes!
Sending cyber hugs and wags,
Andrea and Super T
From the President
Greetings GDUI members and friends,
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday with your family, friends and your four legged furry partner! 2024 began with some frigid and extreme cold weather across the country making it necessary for us to search our closets for our heaviest coats, hats, gloves, scarves and booties for our dogs!
Good news! On February 2nd Ground Hogs Day, Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow predicting an early spring! It won’t be long until we can take a walk
with our guide dogs and enjoy the sun, fresh air, listening to the birds and the beautiful music of nature!
GDUI’s first 2024 board meeting was held on January 27th. We were happy to welcome new board and committee chairpersons, GDUI is definitely off to a
great start! Check your emails for updates, progress on the proposed emergency veterinarian care program, convention details, community calls and much
more!
If you have not renewed your membership, please do it today! You can renew by visiting our website
Home – Guide Dog Users, Inc. (GDUI) (guidedogusersinc.org)
Or, call our office manager Lynn Merrill at 866.799.8436, to pay your annual dues of only $15.00. We appreciate your support.
Just think, spring is only 6 weeks away! I hope Punxsutawney Phil is correct!
Happy tails and trails!
Sarah Calhoun & retired LD Lakota
Notice: Guide Dog Users, Inc. (GDUI) stands in solidarity with Blind Pride, International (BPI)
On February 3, 2024, the Board of GDUI voted unanimously to release the following statement.
Guide Dog Users, Inc. (GDUI) stands in solidarity with Blind Pride, International (BPI)as they plan to hold a rally in Jacksonville, FL, to express appreciation for the many steps that city has taken to honor and uphold the human rights to which we are all entitled, regardless of disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, class, aptitude, or status. Many members of GDUI are also members and allies of Blind Pride, International, and We, who rely on our guide dogs for independence and safe travel through the built environment, understand how it feels to face discrimination when we seek opportunities for housing, transportation, employment, health care, entertainment and recreation. We firmly believe that justice denied to any one of us is equivalent to denying justice to all of us. We urge our members who will be in Jacksonville on July 8, 2024, to attend the rally, and to speak up on behalf of equality of opportunity and safety for all of us. Like BPI, GDUI is an organization that advocates for the civil rights of our members. Civil rights are human rights. We applaud BPI for their courage and strength of conviction, and we are proud to join in solidarity with them.
For Your Calendar
(Some of the items listed here are expanded upon later in this issue, others may be a ways off)
Wednesday, 2/7/2024: The Affordable Connectivity Program stops accepting new applications and enrollments
Thursday, 2/8/2024 from 7:00PM to 8:00PM , ET: Many Faces of BARD
Using BARD on Your Smart Speaker: A Demonstration.
Saturday, 2/10/202, 4:00 PM, ET to 6:00 PM,ET; 1:00 PM, PT to 3:00 PM, PT: AAVL 25TH Anniversary Party!
Friday, 3/1/24: Nomination deadline for Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards
https://www.viscardicenter.org/henry-viscardi-achievement-awards/
Friday, 3/1/2024 through Tuesday, 3/5/2024: 2024 ACB Leadership Conference! (hybrid event)
Monday, 4/1/24: IdeaSpark application deadline
https://www.viscardicenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Entrepreneur-Flyer-A.pdf)
Wednesday, 4/5/2024: Application deadline for The ACB JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellows Award
Saturday, 6/1/2024 the Carroll Center’s Walk for Independence! Registration is Open
An in-person/virtual event
Questions: 617-969-6200 x237,
e-mail: development@carroll.org
Register: https://www.classy.org/event/the-carroll-center-for-the-blinds-2024-walk-for-independence/
Friday, June 14, 2024: Blindness and Mental Health Summit
Announcement: Affordable Connectivity Program Winding Down
On February 7, 2024 the Affordable Connectivity Program will stop accepting new applications and enrollments. Consumers must be approved and enrolled with
a service provider 11:59 p.m. Eastern on February 7 to receive the ACP benefit.
Without additional funding from Congress, the FCC anticipates that the current ACP funding is projected to run out in April 2024. This date is an estimate
and may change. As a result, the FCC has begun taking steps to wind down the ACP, which means:
- No new ACP enrollments will be accepted after February 7, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.
- Households that enrolled with an ACP internet company before February 7, 2024 at 11:59 PM, ET will continue to receive their ACP benefit
until ACP funds run out, as long as the household remains enrolled and eligible for the benefit.
- When ACP funds run out, households participating in the ACP will no longer receive the ACP discounts.
For more information, visit
Announcement: NLS program on 2/8/24
The topic for the February 8, 2024, Many Faces of BARD program will be Using BARD on Your Smart Speaker: A Demonstration. The program will begin at 7:00
p.m. eastern time and last for one hour. This program will be recorded.
The session will begin with a brief presentation. The remainder of the time will be spent answering questions about the presentation or other questions
related to BARD usage.
How to Attend the Program
Use any of the following options to attend The Many Faces of BARD Program.
- To join by computer, use the Many Faces of BARD Zoom link.
- To join using one-tap mobile, select either of the following numbers: +16692545252,,1611366454# or +16468287666,,1611366454#
- To join by telephone, dial any of the following numbers: (669) 254-5252 or (646) 828-7666. When prompted for the meeting ID, enter: 161 136 6454
Information about this Many Faces of BARD program as well as links to recordings of previous programs can be accessed at The Many Faces of BARD web page.
Announcement: AAVL 25TH Anniversary Party
SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, February 10, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, ET, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, PT
Do you remember the first episode of “Sponge Bob Square Pants”?
The Pokémon craze?
The TV show, “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire”?
The 3rd Harry Potter book?
The Britney Spears scandal?
They all happened 25 years ago, – 1999.
It was also that year when the American Council of the Blind’s Board of Directors voted to approve the Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss as a new affiliate.
And it happened on Valentines Day, February 14, 1999.
We will be celebrating this momentous occasion with a fun-filled two-hour Zoom call celebration on Saturday, February 10, 2024, from 4 to 6 PM, ET .
Folks will share their reflections and memories of the early years of AAVL and of its dynamic founder and first president, Teddie-Joy Remhild.
We will also talk about our exciting advocacy initiatives on behalf of older people with vision loss, our weekly support group, our web resource lists,
our monthly community calls and much more. Plus, we will announce the three $50 winners of our 2024 membership drawing prizes!
We’ll also be giving away door prizes every 20 minutes. You definitely want to be there.
Zoom and ACB Media info will follow later.
Announcement: ACB Advocacy Regarding Hetlioz, Non-24
ACB is engaging in some advocacy surrounding the medication, Hetlioz, Vanda Pharmaceuticals, and the non-24 sleep-wake disorder.
If you, or someone you know, have non-24, have had experience with Hetlioz, and would be willing to assist in our advocacy, please email Kim Charlson at-
Announcement: Join the Pack!
Can you help? Pine Tree Guide Dog Users is seeking Facebook fans to help build awareness about living and working with a guide dog. Please like, love, and share our posts at www.facebook.com/ptgdu. If you wish to learn more about who we are and what we do, or to financially support our work, please visit us on our website at www.PineTreeGuideDogUsers.org. Hope to see you on Facebook!
Announcement: Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards Nominations Being Accepted
(Digital Accessibility Advisor – January 2024)
The Viscardi Center is proud to announce nominations for the international 2024 Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards are now being accepted. The Awards are
in honor of the Center’s world-renowned founder, Dr. Henry Viscardi Jr., a premier advocate who implemented groundbreaking education and employment programs.
The Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards recognize leaders, visionaries, and role models with disabilities making societal change. Nominations may be submitted
until March 1, 2024.
To learn more, go to
https://www.viscardicenter.org/henry-viscardi-achievement-awards/
Studies and Surveys
Researchers Need Your Help
We are researchers from the Center for Accessibility and Inclusion Research at the Rochester Institute of Technology and TU Dublin conducting a research
survey on the use of accessibility overlays. We are seeking insights from blind and low-vision computer users who are 18 years or older, about experiences
using accessibility overlays. We are offering a raffle of $100 to a winner drawn from up to 2,000 survey respondents.
Accessibility Overlays are a broad term for technologies that aim to improve the accessibility of a website. Some claim to fix any problems in the site’s
code that are preventing assistive technology from being used easily. Examples include AccessiBe, UserWay and EqualWeb. If you have used accessibility
overlays, you may qualify for this study.
Survey link:
https://rit.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2sG2yZYSVEqhUcm
For more information, contact Tlamelo Makati at
Help Us Improve the Website Accessibility of a Popular Restaurant Chain!
We’re a team of three master’s students – Joyce, Kayla, and Sofia – from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. We’re reaching out to individuals
with diverse visual abilities to participate in a user experience interview focused on the accessibility of a popular restaurant’s website.
We’re specifically looking for participants who are blind and participants with low vision to take part in a 60-minute interview. All you need to do is
browse the restaurant’s website on your smartphone or computer, using any assistive technology tools you normally use, while we observe and ask
questions. Our interview sessions will be recorded. The recordings will be deleted promptly after our research concludes, to ensure confidentiality.
Are you interested in sharing your thoughts on potential challenges and frustrations in the website’s menu design? Your participation and invaluable feedback
will positively impact the experience of all individuals with visual impairments who use this website. We will compensate you $25 for your time! If interested,
please fill out the brief form linked below, and one of our team members will contact you to schedule a convenient interview time if you qualify for our
study.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd74b13NyscbHlHKQzO2y13yk1LnH4Ju7qlohKPQ03lCC9A4w/viewform
If you have questions, contact Sofia Sandoval at 818.964.8942, or via email,
Article – Meet VMA: The app that’s going to forever change how blind people do their make Up!
Voice-enabled Makeup Assistant is here—and Cosmo chatted with four of the app’s users
BY BETH GILLETTEPUBLISHED- Cosmopolitan, 20 DECEMBER 2023
InnovatVoice-enabled Makeup Assistant (VMA), a voice-enabled app, helps people with vision loss and blindness check their makeup
For those with low vision or blindness, putting on makeup is typically a two-person job. Sure, you can learn to dab on concealer or blend out your bronzer
with a couple of #GetReadyWithMe TikToks (that is, if the creator talks out their steps versus just overlaying an ~aesthetic~ Mitski song or “My BFF dated
my ex” story time). But to make sure your foundation is fully blended and your eyeliner isn’t smudged, you’re likely going to need to ask someone for help—whether
it be a family member, friend, or literal stranger—and just hope they give you an honest answer. This is obviously less than ideal, and it gave Estée Lauder
Companies an idea: Voice-enabled Makeup Assistant (VMA), a voice-enabled app to help people with vision loss and blindness check their makeup application.
“We identified that there was a huge accessibility gap in the beauty industry for those with disabilities, specifically for individuals who are low vision
and blind,” says Lamia Drew, global inclusive technology director at Estée Lauder Companies. So, after years of research, interviews, and testing done
in tandem with people in the low-vision and blind communities, Estée Lauder launched VMA in January 2023. “Many people told us that when they put on makeup,
they would have to send a selfie to a person that they trusted to give them honest feedback,” Drew explains. “The consistent theme really was that many
people in this community felt like their makeup routine created a dependence on others and we want VMA to change that.”
Essentially, VMA uses artificial intelligence and augmented reality to analyze the makeup on the user’s face entirely through voice prompts. So, after
you brush your foundation on, you can ask the app to check your face to make sure it’s blended down your jawline or around your temples. Or if you swipe
on lipstick, you can ask the app to check if there’s a smudge after sipping on your coffee. Consider it a brutally honest best friend who’s always on call
to check your look.
Nearly a year after its debut on the app store, VMA has over 1,100 downloads in the U.S. and over 1,700 downloads in the UK. Four women with varying levels
of vision who’ve been testing and working on the app since the initial development phase told Cosmopolitan how this technology has changed their makeup
routines, and in turn, their lives. Keep reading for their stories in their own words.
Emily Eagle
I’m a third-year law student in Austin, Texas, hoping to pursue disability rights. I lost my vision when I was 5 years old, so I’ve been blind pretty much
my whole life, yet I’ve been wearing makeup for nearly a decade. It’s a way to present myself to other people, but it’s also a ritual for me every morning.
I find doing my makeup very grounding before I have to start my day.
Before the app, I always had one foundation, one bronzer, one blush, and one highlighter. I never experimented because I live alone and had to have a routine
nailed down that I always knew worked for me. I had to be really familiar with a product to use it well, to the point that I would memorize how many times
I tapped my brush on the powder and how many swipes it took on my face. Otherwise, I needed so much feedback from people to tell me what looked good and
what looked symmetrical.
“I can finally go to the bathroom and check how my makeup looks by myself—for the very first time.”
When I started using the app after working with an organization called Disability:In, makeup stopped being just a ritualistic moment for me—it also became
a form of creativity. I love bright red lipstick, but I would only ever do it when I had somebody to check it—plus, I needed someone who would be with
me throughout the day to continue to check it to make sure it wasn’t smeared or faded. I also love eyeshadow, but I basically just never did it because
it was too risky—even if I get one eye good, how do I know the other eye matches? Now, it’s fun to be able to be creative with makeup and try out new techniques
and shades. And I can finally go to the bathroom midday and check how my makeup looks by myself—for the very first time in my life.
These days, I see a TikTok suggesting smudging a brown eyeshadow on your lash line to make brown eyes pop. Before, I would have thought, Sound cool, but
can’t try it. Now, I’m able to play around and figure it out with the app. Being able to participate in these fun things I see on TikTok, an app I’m constantly
scrolling on, has been everything. It’s empowering to finally feel so independent.
Hannah Chadwick
I strive to be as independent as I can with everything that I do. So when I got the chance to help develop this app all the way in Colorado Springs, Colorado,
I was so excited. It’s super incredible to just have something like this out there. A real game-changer.
I think back to when I was in high school and first became interested in makeup. I’d experiment, but certain products like lipstick were challenging. Overall,
the hardest part of makeup for me is that I’d have to get people to check it every single time. The older I get, the less I care about it, but when I was
younger, I was so easily embarrassed, so I would never want to go out with weird, blotchy makeup. I just remember spending so much time in the bathroom
doing my makeup and then getting frustrated and just asking someone else to do it. Ultimately, makeup was time-consuming and deflating, and I felt like
I just couldn’t do it myself. That was something that really bothered me. It felt like it went against my entire definition of independence.
“Now I do my makeup just like everybody else. And I feel good about it.”
Now, with VMA, it will hopefully minimize the logistics and stress of applying makeup for a lot of low-vision people. When I am more independent and can
do my makeup myself, I can go out with so much more confidence. Like, I did my makeup just like everybody else. And I feel good about it! That’s a huge
part of self-confidence for me.
The app has gone through so many rounds of reviews and testing, and it’s been really cool to experience them develop it right in front of me as I provide
feedback. For example, at first, I didn’t love the voice; I use synthesized voices pretty much every single day, so I think it’s important to hear a voice
that sounds pleasant. And in the next update, the voice was different—not overly positive or fake-sounding.
And now, I think the more I use this app, the more I trust that it works well and the more comfortable I feel going out with makeup and feeling good about
whether it’s blending, missing spots or getting mascara on my cheeks, the app is always able to help with those and give me feedback to fix it. It
adds a new layer of independence not having to rely on others. Just get the app out, put on your makeup, get a check, and then you’re done. It’s really
leveling the playing field.
I’m an athlete and always working out and sweating, so I don’t wear much makeup these days, but I love that I have the option and picture myself using
the app when I go to a work conference or when I go to the Paralympics. I can do my makeup and go stand on the world stage and feel confident being independent.
Like, I think that’d be cool.
Follow Hannah on INSTAGRAM-
https://www.instagram.com/hannahsonthego/
Esha Khator
I’m a college student in the Northern Virginia/Washington D.C. area, and I have low vision due to my albinism. Everything to me is like watching a super
low-res YouTube video. I love art, and I’ve always been curious about makeup because I saw it as another art form. But it just seemed difficult for me
because I don’t have the best hand-eye coordination when trying to see what’s on my face. Getting really close in a mirror doesn’t help. So if I wanted
to wear makeup for parties or events, my mom would help me. And now that I’m in college, my roommate helps.
So I didn’t really wear makeup aside from special events because it felt too complicated. But when I came to college, I realized getting ready was part
of the fun experience. I started feeling a little left out because I didn’t really know how to do makeup, especially by myself. Disability:In sent out
an email looking for low-vision people with an interest in makeup. I reached out, started beta-testing the app, and have used it ever since.
The app has encouraged me to start branching out and trying makeup on my own without having to ask for help. I can do it for myself and choose my own colours,
feeling more confident that I’m going out looking nice. VMA has encouraged me to wear makeup more, honestly. Now it’s part of my going-out routine. I open
up the app, and I’ll throw on a little lip gloss, maybe touch up my spots, or even swipe on some glitter. Glitter eyeshadow is the best thing ever.
“No one wants to be told that something isn’t for them.”
When I open the app, it tells me the order to put on my makeup. So I’ll start by putting on foundation myself, then ask the app to scan my face to tell
me if there are any spots I missed or if it doesn’t look symmetrical. Then, I’ll touch it up and ask again, repeating that loop until it says my foundation
is good. I move on to eyeshadow or lipstick following the same process: Zoom in, ask if it looks okay, and receive feedback on what needs to be fixed.
It gives me so much independence, especially when I’m going out with friends and we can all get ready at the same time. I don’t always have to ask them
to check over my makeup.
A lot of people tend to feel like those who are blind or have low vision wouldn’t care about art, makeup or movies. But no one wants to be told that something
isn’t for them. Being able to participate in something that’s typically only been considered as a sighted thing makes me feel hopeful and really happy.
Follow Esha on INSTAGRAM
https://www.instagram.com/etherspayce/?igshid=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Robin Mayr
I was born three months early, which led to retinopathy of prematurity. Currently, I have no sight in my left eye and very, very little sight in my right
eye. But I’m a trooper. I’m a retired social worker living in Hauppauge, New York, and I stopped working to help my daughter with my grandson when he was
diagnosed with autism. During the pandemic, I felt like I needed to keep busy and do more, so I joined a chapter of the National Federation of the Blind
where I met a woman who was involved in the VMA beta testing.
I was excited. I was hopeful. Even if the app didn’t work, it’d be a star just for existing. Because finally, there’s a beauty company that understands
that people with disabilities are people and that beauty is not what you put on your face, it’s about what gives you confidence and empowers you. So I
thought, Well, this app, if it does nothing else but empower people who have disabilities to say, “I’m worth it,” then it’s a beautiful thing.
“Beauty is not just about what you put on your face. It’s about what gives you confidence and empowers you.”
It makes me feel proud that it exists. I’m proud to say that I feel included. It’s an inclusion thing for me, like somebody is finally seeing people with
visual disabilities. We’re no longer invisible and we’re no longer thought of as people who wouldn’t care to wear makeup.
Don’t forget to download the app HERE (Alert- this App is available only on the APP Store)
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/voice-enabled-makeup-assistant/id1638156284
Announcement: Tax Time Approaches
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is conducting a pilot program for its new free Direct File Service for paying taxes. They are looking for ACB members
to test out the program and provide feedback on its accessibility and usability with assistive technology.
The pilot is operating in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee,
Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.
Participants will be compensated for their time. To learn more, visit:
https://www.irs.gov/about-irs/strategic-plan/direct-file
Interested participants can contact Swatha Nandhakumar, ACB’s Advocacy and Outreach Specialist, at:
Valentine’s Day Humor: Appreciate us pups!!
(submitted by Toto)
Some call it a Hallmark holiday while others just call it hell. Valentine’s Day brings high-stakes expectations no matter your relationship status. If
Cupid’s arrow has left you feeling more peeved than passionate this year, why not look to another species to find your Valentine?
10 reasons dogs make better valentines than humans do.
- Dogs don’t need flowers
If you’ve ever been walking your dog when they’ve stopped to smell the roses, you know that while humans see these flowers as a symbol of love, dogs see
them as just another thing to pee on. If your Valentine is of the canine variety, consider yourself (and your bank account) lucky. No dog is sitting at
home waiting for their human to come bursting in with a dozen overpriced, long-stemmed toilets.
- They won’t buy you chocolate
If your New Year’s resolution involved cutting extra calories, a heart-shaped box of sugary chocolates isn’t exactly welcome a month and a half later.
Some of us are still working off the results of the junk-food frenzy also known as the holiday season, and would really rather get some puppy kisses than
chocolate kisses at this point. Even if our pups could walk to the store to purchase a V-Day present, they wouldn’t pick out something we’ve repeatedly
told them is poison.
- They’re easy to please in the kitchen
Attempting to get to a human Valentine’s heart through their stomach can be a recipe for disaster. A home- cooked meal can be the highlight of the night,
but it’s so hard to get right, especially if you’re used to cooking for canine companions with less discerning tastes. Not all of us have the culinary
skills to wow a human date, but it’s guaranteed our dogs will love us even if the can opener is the only kitchen tool we’ve mastered.
- No reservations required
If you’re the kind of cook only a dog could love, restaurant reservations are definitely required to impress a human date. It doesn’t matter if you’re
going to spend 20 bucks on a heart-shaped pizza or drop some serious dough at a fancy five-star restaurant — you need to book way ahead or risk ending
up in the drive-thru. Of course, if your dog is your date this V-Day, don’t stress. they’ll totally love a car ride and a value menu cheese-burger.
- Pups don’t care what you wear
Choosing a dog as your date this Valentine’s Day also means you can say you’re going to slip into something more comfortable and actually mean it. Forget
about lingerie or silk ties — your pup loves it when you wear your fur-covered sweat pants. To add extra excitement to your evening, pull your dog-walking
jacket out of the closet, and you’ll have your pooch panting in no time.
- You know what they want
Your dog’s expectations on Valentine’s Day are the same as they are any other day of the year — they want you to come home, feed them, play with them,
walk them, and cuddle them! Having a doggie date is so much simpler than dealing with a human honey. You never have to worry that your heartfelt but inexpensive
gift will be met with an extravagant present and a disappointed date. Dogs know that J.Lo was right — love don’t cost a thing (but that doesn’t mean your
pup wouldn’t appreciate a new chew toy).
- Their presents aren’t pricey
Bones and balls are so much cheaper than diamonds and wristwatches, and thanks to the billion-dollar pet industry, dog lovers have near infinite choices
when it comes to showing low-cost love for a canine Valentine. From blinged-out collars to heart-shaped satin beds, there are limitless ways to pamper
your Valentine on a limited budget. Best of all, no dog is going to ask for a gift receipt.
- They’ll definitely go to bed with you
For many, the big question on a Valentine’s Day date is this: Will I be spending the night alone? Many people in long-term relationships have found themselves
in the proverbial dog house after picking up a last-minute Valentine’s Day card at the gas station, but a dog would never banish you to the couch just
because you bought their treats at the last minute. They’re just happy to be in the bed in the first place.
- Dogs don’t see red — or pink
If the typical Valentine’s Day color scheme of red and pink makes you want to puke, don’t worry — a doggie date won’t care if you choose to forgo the traditional
hues on your night together. After all, our pups can’t even perceive pink, so go against tradition, and consider getting your best friend something in
shades of blue or brown. I guarantee you they didn’t have their little doggie heart set on a color they can’t even see.
- They just love us unconditionally
Dogs are everything a good Valentine is supposed to be. They’re devoted, adoring, and never late for a date. While a dog won’t be Instagramming your romantic
Valentine’s Day carriage ride or popping the question over champagne, their commitment to you can’t be questioned. They say diamonds are forever, but the
love of a dog is even stronger and worth more than the fanciest sparkler in the jewelry store.
Announcement: Scholarships Available!
Calling All Aspiring Students!
The American Council of the Blind (ACB) offers educational scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $7,500 to eligible applicants: legally blind, maintaining
a 3.0 GPA (required for most scholarships), be a full-time student or a part-time student who works at least 32 hours per week, and be involved in their
school and local community. This program is intended to help students with educational financial needs such as tuition, fees, room and board and assistive
technology, and is geared toward entering freshmen, undergraduate and graduate students, and students attending technical college.
The application deadline is February 14, 2024. For more information about ACB’s scholarship program, visit-
http://www.acb.org/scholarships
Announcement: Changes at Hadley
In the coming weeks, we will be changing our web and email addresses from Hadley.edu to HadleyHelps.org. We needed to make this move as our scope has expanded
beyond academics.
web address already works. If you type in
by accident, you will be automatically redirected to
and your emails forwarded accordingly. These redirects, however, are temporary. So please update your bookmarks to the new address.
In the meantime, please know that emails from and links to
and
can be trusted.
If you have any questions, please contact our Help Desk:
1-800.323.4238.
I know this kind of change can be disruptive and I thank you for your understanding.
Sincerely, Julie
Julie Tye, Hadley President
Poem: From the Poetry Foundation’s Poem of the Day
[From: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/]
My Doggy Ate My Essay- BY DARREN SARDELLI
My doggy ate my essay.
He picked up all my mail.
He cleaned my dirty closet
and dusted with his tail.
He straightened out my posters
and swept my wooden floor.
My parents almost fainted
when he fixed my bedroom door.
I did not try to stop him.
He made my windows shine.
My room looked like a palace,
and my dresser smelled like pine.
He fluffed up every pillow.
He folded all my clothes.
He even cleaned my fish tank
with a toothbrush and a hose.
I thought it was amazing
to see him use a broom.
I’m glad he ate my essay
on “How to Clean My Room.”
Announcement: Accessible Pharmacy Services
Blindness and Prevention of Diabetes
Program Registration Now Open for Medicare and Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries
Do you have Medicare or Medicare Advantage? Join the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) to get healthy and avoid type 2 diabetes! Our courses are taught
by two diabetes lifestyle coaches who are blind and one diabetes lifestyle coach who teaches the course in American Sign Language. Program is free for
Medicare and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries and 100% virtual. Fill out the form below or send us an email to get started.
Available in:
- Alabama
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Overview:
- Year-long program
- 100% virtual
- Learn to identify and address barriers to healthy eating and physical activity through weekly peer sessions
Coming Soon! Diabetes Management Program
While this program is for individuals with pre-diabetes, we are currently building a Diabetes Management Program for individuals diagnosed with type 2
diabetes. Continue to fill out the form below if you are interested and we will get back to you with more information!
send us an email to get started:
If you have any questions, please email us. (VP available upon request)
Sincerely,
Your friends at Accessible Pharmacy
Accessible Pharmacy Services, LLC
1-888.633.7007
http://wwwAccessiblePharmacy.com
Article: Get Curious, Explore, Become Engaged, and Focus on Making Impactful Contributions
by Kenneth Semien Sr.
[From: The ACB Braille Forum Volume LXII • February 2024 • No. 8]
The Durward K. McDaniel (DKM) Fund Committee seeks to identify five curious ACB members who have demonstrated leadership potential and have an eagerness
to enhance their lives and others they meet through personalized leadership development activities. Apply to join the Class of 2024 ACB JPMorgan Chase
Leadership Fellows by completing an online application for consideration. The link to apply will be announced on various ACB lists and on the ACB website.
The ACB JPMorgan Chase Leadership Fellows award brings five recipients to join us in Jacksonville, Fla. for the 63rd annual ACB conference and convention
from July 5-12, 2024.
You may currently serve in a leadership role, or have served in a leadership role previously, and wish to renew your interest in engaging in the work of
ACB, your affiliate or chapter. This award could be of support; therefore, if you meet the criteria below, we invite you to learn more about and participate
in ACB’s advanced leadership development program.
To be eligible for consideration, each applicant must be age 18 or older; blind or visually impaired, and current on ACB membership dues. Applicants must
be able to travel independently, navigate the convention hotel, and request support when necessary.
Applicants will experience a 30-minute interview with a team of DKM committee members during mid-April. In addition, a letter of recommendation must be
submitted by the applicant’s state or special-interest affiliate president. Applicants are to be sure that they meet the award criteria before requesting
a letter of recommendation. The letter of recommendation should include the applicant’s demonstrated leadership qualities, potential, and contributions
on any level within the organization or in their local community.
The DKM program and ACB honor recipients by funding round-trip air travel and supporting transportation, hotel accommodations (double occupancy), per diem
allowance for meals and incidentals, reception, banquet tickets, the general convention registration fee, and other determined activities. Optional tours
and other fun activities are not covered by the program.
The responsibilities of each recipient include but are not limited to attending the full week of conference and convention activities from Friday, July
5 through the end of Thursday, July 11; participating in daily general sessions and the Keys to the Convention seminar, along with special-interest and
committee seminars, while making efforts to interact with ACB leaders and fellow members.
The applicant submits an online application, and the affiliate president submits a letter of recommendation to Kenneth Semien Sr.,
to be received no later than April 3rd. Recipients will be selected by the ACB president and executive director during the latter part of April. Recipients will be notified shortly thereafter. All questions should be sent to DKM Chair Kenneth Semien Sr.,
or dial (409) 866-5838.
Announcement- Registration Is Now Open for the 2024 ACB Leadership Conference!
(The ACB Braille Forum Volume LXII • February 2024 • No. 8)
ACB’s 2024 Leadership Conference will be a hybrid event.
ACB’s Board Meeting, Presidents’ Meeting, Legislative Seminar, and Capitol Hill visits will take place between Friday, March 1st, and Tuesday, March 5th,
at the Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel in Arlington, VA.
To register visit:
and Log into your account, or create an account by clicking the “Create an Account” button; or call our Minnesota office at 612.332.3242, or our Virginia
office at 202.467.5081.
Once you have logged in, visit the “DC Leadership Registration” link at the top of the page.,
The room rate for the Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel is $149 per night, plus tax. This rate applies to any night starting on Sunday, February 25th, through
Friday, March 8th. The Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel is located at 900 S. Orme St., Arlington, VA 22204. To make a reservation at the Sheraton, visit
or call 1-800.325.3535 and inform the Marriott representative that you will be attending the “ACB Leadership Seminar” to receive the group rate. The room block cutoff date is Monday, February 12, 2024. If you experience any issues booking a room, please email Kaitlyn Herrera at
More details will appear in “Dots and Dashes” and on the Washington Connection, 1-800.424.8666, as well as on the ACB email lists.
Announcement: From The Viscardi Center
Aspiring Disabled Entrepreneurs – Ideaspark is Now Accepting Applications
Do You Have An Entrepreneurial Mindset?
Do You Want To Put It To The Test?
APPLY TODAY FOR THE 2024 IdeaSpark VIRTUAL PROGRAM!
A collaboration between The Viscardi Center and the Hynes Institute of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Iona University
For a second year, the IdeaSpark Program engages individuals with disabilities in developing an entrepreneurial mindset. Participants will explore what
it takes to be an innovator and entrepreneur, by engaging in a series of activities that will let them identify an entrepreneurial opportunity and develop
a feasible business idea over a six-week period.
Embedded in the virtual program will be opportunities for participants to interact with entrepreneurs and experts in their fields, as well as partner with
Iona University students serving as Peer Mentors.
Participants will be given challenges that will help them develop and apply entrepreneurial skills in action. At a culminating Pitchfest event, they will
practice presentation skills and share aspects of their personal learning experiences, while pitching their business ideas and competing for equity-free
cash grants.
The free, fully accessible program sessions begin on May 14, 2024.
Apply at the following link by April 5, 2024.
https://www.viscardicenter.org/disability-entrepreneurship-institute/
For more information about the program and eligibility requirements, download our flyer.
https://www.viscardicenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Entrepreneur-Flyer-A.pdf
From the Kennel Kitchen: Yummy!
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
[From: THE INSIGHT SCOOP, FEBRUARY 2024 Newsletter of SE CT Community Center of the Blind,
http://www.centeroftheblind.com]
1 head of cauliflower, stem removed, broken into small pieces
½ c flour
½ c water
Salt and pepper
Cooking spray
2/3 cup buffalo hot sauce
1 tbs butter
½ tsp honey
Celery sticks and ranch dip for serving
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a sheet pan with foil and coat with cooking spray.
In large bowl, whisk together flour, water, salt, and pepper. Add the cauliflower florets and toss to coat. Place on a single layer on the baking sheet
and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 20 minutes.
While that is baking, whisk the buffalo sauce, honey, and butter together in a bowl. Take cauliflower out of oven. Pour the sauce over the cauliflower
and toss to coat. Bake for an additional 10 minutes. Serve immediately with celery and ranch dip. Enjoy!
Article: Can dogs have onions? An expert weighs in on how bad the vegetable is for your pup.
Clare Mulroy- USA TODAY
[From: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2024/01/29/can-dogs-eat-onions/72246060007/]
You’re sitting down to eat when suddenly you feel the brush of fur on your leg or the thump of a tail at your feet. It’s your dog, of course, looking irresistibly
cute and begging for a bite of your dinner.
But is it okay to “accidentally” drop a piece?
Some human foods are healthy for pups. Chicken and rice, for example, make an easily digestible choice now and then to soothe a dog’s upset stomach. Others,
like avocados, are toxic to dogs.
Here’s where onions and other similar vegetables fall on the spectrum.
Can dogs eat onions?
Onion is toxic to dogs. Onions, garlic, leeks and chives all belong to the plant genus Allium and are dangerous for dogs and cats, says Diana Watkins,
a veterinarian and owner of 143 Veterinary Services in Cohasset, Massachusetts.
Onions and garlic often fly under the radar for pet owners when it comes to toxicity, Watkins says. They may be ingredients in the chicken broth you saved
for your dog or the seasoning in a scrap they munched off the floor. Onion powder, a common seasoning, is particularly toxic because it’s more concentrated
than the raw vegetable.
Allium vegetables contain oxidizing agents that, in dogs, destroy red blood cells and make it so their organs don’t get enough oxygen. These dogs develop
hemolytic anemia, which is a low red blood cell count that causes various health complications and even death. Some dog breeds of Japanese descent, like
Akita and Shiba Inu, may have a higher risk for onion toxicity, according to VCA Animal Hospitals.
How much onion is toxic to dogs?
The amount depends on your dog’s weight and size, though Watkins says it’s better to be safe than sorry. Call for professional help if you see your dog
eat any amount of onion, she advises.
“You can give (the ASPCA poison hotline) your dog’s body weight and tell them how much they ate and they will tell you right there over the phone whether
it’s a toxic level or not,” Watkins says.
What to do if your dog eats onion
If your dog ate any amount of onion contact your vet or the ASPCA’s 24-hour Animal Poison Control Center at 888.426.4435. If your dog is exhibiting signs
of anemia, bring them to your local emergency vet.
Symptoms of anemia may take three to five days to appear in your dog, according to Watkins. Keep an eye out for any of these signs:
Gastrointestinal issues, including vomiting and diarrhea
Depression
High heart rate
High respiratory rate
Loss of appetite
Weakness or unwillingness to exercise
Pale gums
Yellow hue in the whites of the eyes
Red or brown urine
Article: New Technology for Navigating the Great Indoors
[From https://engineering.lehigh.edu/news/article/new-technology-navigating-great-indoors]
Vinod Namboodiri, Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Rossin College; Professor, Department of Community and Population Health,
College of Health; Director, Accessibility and Assistive Technologies (ACCESS) Research Laboratory
Lehigh University researcher Vinod Namboodiri leads team developing an app offering responsive maps and turn-by-turn directions to make indoor environments
more accessible for people with visual impairments, mobility limitations, and other challenges
For some researchers, personal experience sparks innovation.
“Since childhood, I’ve had issues seeing in low light,” says Lehigh University Professor Vinod Namboodiri. “And I always wondered about people who are
completely blind: How do they get around? So as an academic with a background in computing, wireless communications, and networks, I knew I had the skills
and the personal connection that could help me solve a problem faced by so many people with disabilities—how to confidently get from point A to point B
when inside unfamiliar spaces.”
Namboodiri, a faculty member in both the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science and the College of Health, recently received funding from
the National Science Foundation’s Convergence Accelerator program to advance from Phase 1 to Phase 2 of the program’s Enhancing Opportunities for Persons
with Disabilities track. The computer scientist and his team—which includes partners such as Good Shepherd Rehabilitation, the Smithsonian’s museums in
Washington, D.C., and the American Foundation for the Blind, among others—will use the three-year grant to build a prototype of a personalized, scalable
app, called MABLE (Mapping for Accessible Built Environments), that will allow people with a range of impairments to get turn-by-turn instructions when
navigating indoor environments.
The award is part of a total investment of $30 million that the NSF is spreading across six multidisciplinary research teams to develop systems, technologies,
and tools to enhance the quality of life and improve the employment opportunities of those with disabilities.
Namboodiri’s app builds upon work he began as a faculty member at Wichita State University after spending a sabbatical at Envision. The nonprofit, which
is based in Kansas and Texas, serves people who are blind or visually impaired through employment, education, research, rehabilitation, and outreach.
“While I was there, I learned about the different challenges these people faced,” he says, “and it became clear that while Google Maps and Apple Maps allowed
them to find their way outdoors fairly easily, they really struggled once they walked into a mall or into a store.”
Soon, however, he realized it wasn’t just blind or visually impaired people who had a hard time navigating these environments.
“Those who use wheelchairs often have a tough time locating the most accessible routes, like where the ramps or elevators are in a building,” he says.
“Similarly, older adults and those with cognitive impairments might get from point A to point B, but then have difficulty finding their way back to point
- It became clear that people with disabilities face a lot of anxiety when they visit new spaces, and so the question became, How can we use a computing
and engineering perspective to solve some of these challenges?”
Namboodiri plans to create a smartphone way-finding app that can be personalized to the specific needs of the user. But he and his team must first overcome
two vexing problems: the absence of a universal positioning system—like the satellites that power navigation apps—and a dearth of maps for indoor spaces.
To address the former, Namboodiri deployed wireless devices called beacons within a single academic building as part of what he calls a “low-fidelity prototype”
he developed while at Wichita State.
“We spread them around the building, and smartphones connected to them through Bluetooth. So, as you got closer to them, the phone knew where you were,
and in that way, it kind of mimicked the satellite system. “Such beacons may be the answer going forward, he says, but his team is working on alternative
methods of orientation, such as using the phone’s camera or video capabilities.
“We don’t want to marry ourselves to one approach because there may be some building owners who don’t want to use beacons due to the need to add them to
existing built environments,” he says. “Camera-based approaches are increasingly viable due to greater computing capabilities, but some users do not want
to use them due to extensive smartphone battery drain. Coarser positioning schemes based on Wi-Fi and Inertial Motion Units may be sufficient for some
users, but are inadequate for those that need more precise location and associated contextual information. So, while this project started with beacons,
we’ll be pursuing a much broader range of possibilities that allows building managers to choose what they want to offer for their end-user base and users
to voice their opinion on what they prefer.”
The lack of comprehensive indoor maps poses a unique challenge. When floor plans do exist for a given building, it’s rare that they contain the level of
detail that would make them useful to those with visual, mobility, or cognitive impairments. Namboodiri and his team of collaborators plan to design scalable,
automated approaches to convert floor plans to maps and then leverage crowdsourcing to enable users to contribute the information that will make the plans
relevant to a diverse range of needs. And they’ll be available not only within the mobile app, but online as well, all in accessible formats personalizable
by a diverse set of users to their specific needs.
“The app will allow independent way finding,” he says, “but say you’re planning on going to a conference in a hotel. You’ll be able to use your web browser
to study the maps and plan out the best routes ahead of time, so when you arrive, you’ll already know where you’re going, in a sense.”
He says the long-term vision is to provide a service in which the appropriate tools, software, and algorithms are available for purchase online for owners
interested in making their buildings more accessible.
“So maybe there’s a lower cost service for owners who can do everything on their own, and a specialist service they can hire for more complex buildings,”
says Namboodiri.
That future service could also become attractive to an even wider audience, like tourists and firefighters. That’s because Vinod sees way finding as a
base layer of sorts—once you have the ability to know where you are and to get routes within a building, the potential applications are vast. Tourists
traveling abroad could use the service inside transit stations and get information on arrivals and departures in their own language. Firefighters could
navigate when they’re otherwise blinded by smoke. And it could be used in situations requiring emergency evacuations from a building when the typical exits
are blocked.
“Once you have the core functionality of the map and the location, you can add so much on top of that,” he says. “The ultimate goal is to make people with
disabilities—and anyone else—visit unknown spaces more confidently.”
It’s a goal that is especially meaningful to him. And it’s one that could have profound ripple effects on society at large.
“Within the U.S., around 25 percent of the population identify as having some kind of disability,” he says. “If we can make it less stressful and easier
for them to get around, not only will the quality of their lives improve, but it could help increase their participation in the workforce. And that would
be a huge boost to the economy.”
Article: Why Do Dogs Wag Their Tails? A New Theory Speaks Volumes
by Tyler Santora
[From: Fatherly-
https://www.fatherly.com/life/dog-wags-tails-theory-adorable]
WOOF WOOF!
Scientists have two hypotheses why dogs evolved to wag their tails, and one is absolutely adorable.
Whether a dog is thumping its tail along to a beat or giving a full wiggle butt, people love when pups wag their tails. We often take it as a sign that
an unfamiliar dog is friendly or that our family pet is happy. But in a new paper, scientists argue that the reason dogs evolved to wag their tails might
be even more heartwarming than that: They may have started wagging their tails just because people liked it.
First, it’s important to know that dogs are different from their close relatives in that they wag their tails much more frequently. Even when dog and wolf
pups are raised the same way, the species have different tail-wagging behaviors as early as three weeks of age. Although individual dogs wag their tails
different amounts, and wagging can vary by breed and sex, dogs wag their tails more often and in more contexts than any other canid, which includes species
like coyotes and foxes.
And dogs wag their tails to communicate a lot of different messages. When carrying their tail low, wagging can be a sign of submission, appeasement, or
that they’re not being aggressive. Dogs may wag their tail as a requesting signal — like to ask for more food from humans. Of course, dogs also wag when
they’re fired up or happy. Interestingly, dogs wag more to the right when they have positive emotions and more to the left when they’re withdrawing from
a situation.
But why did dogs evolve to wag so much?
For a new opinion letter published in the journal Biology Letters, researchers had two hypotheses. Both have to do with dogs’ domestication about 35,000
years ago — because their evolutionary history is deeply tied to ours.
The first hypothesis is that dogs evolved to wag their tails so frequently because ancient humans liked it. Either consciously or unconsciously, people
may have preferred dogs who wagged more often — and perhaps more rhythmically. Humans have a keen sense of rhythm, and our brains prefer rhythmic stimuli,
which are evenly spaced in time. This could have led humans to select for dogs who wagged more often and more rhythmically and could explain why present-day
dogs wag their tails so often when interacting with people.
The other hypothesis is that as dogs became domesticated, and humans selected for traits like friendliness, genetically linked but unexpected traits became
more common. In one famous example of this phenomenon, scientists bred the most docile silver foxes in a speed-run at domestication, and the foxes evolved
floppier ears and wagged their tails more frequently than their wild ancestors. This could be due to a genetic link between tail anatomy or brain function
related to a wagging tail and friendliness — and could be exactly what happened to dogs tens of thousands of years ago.
But no matter how or why tail-wagging evolved in dogs, two things are certain: Tail-wagging doggies are cute as heck, and they’re all good boys (and girls).
Article: 7 National Parks Where Your Dog Can Fetch a B.a.r.k. Ranger Badge
All Good Boys and Girls Are Eligible — if They Follow These Park Rules
Advice by Kinsey Gidick
[From: https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/tips/national-parks-bark-ranger-pet-rules/]
January 19, 2024 at 9:43 a.m. EST
(Illustration by Katty Huertas/The Washington Post
For national parks enthusiasts, the joy of bringing a dog along for a hike or history tour is a significant part of the experience. However, in recent
years, some at the National Park Service saw that visitors weren’t always matching their admiration for these protected places with responsible canine
behavior. Furry companions were disrupting wildlife and disturbing plants, and pet waste was becoming a growing problem.
“We had some people that thought their dog was so gifted and special that they did not need to abide by park rules,” said Ginger Cox, a ranger at the
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site
just outside of
Asheville, N.C.
Rather than allowing these sites to go to the dogs, the NPS devised a canine-friendly solution in 2015: the B.A.R.K. Rangers program.
This lesser-known initiative, available at roughly 50 sites, provides dogs with the opportunity to become more considerate NPS guests by following four
straightforward steps represented by the B.A.R.K. acronym:
list of 4 items
- Bag your pet’s waste.
- Always leash your pet (no longer than six feet).
- Respect wildlife.
- Know where you can go.
list end
Upon successful completion of the challenge, a pup can attain the esteemed title of B.A.R.K. Ranger and receive rewards such as a bandanna or a coveted
ranger badge. (Service dogs are welcome to join in, too, though their parameters may be different as they are legally permitted anywhere that visitors
can go.) Here are seven NPS sites where your pup can earn the B.A.R.K Ranger title (and don’t forget to
make a reservation
if you need one).
Acadia National Park
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site
Hot Springs National Park
For centuries people have visited the geothermal pools of Hot Springs, Ark. The ancient site remains culturally significant to the Quapaw and Caddo tribes,
along with others. Today you can take your dog to walk past its remaining eight historic bathhouses or hike 26 miles of trails. Participate in
Hot Springs B.A.R.K. Ranger program,
and your dog can earn a certificate sealed with their own inked paw print.
Yosemite National Park
Dogs are allowed in
Yosemite National Park,
Natchez Trace Parkway
Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile road that runs through three states (Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee) and has 60 miles of footpaths to explore.
It encompasses the old
Natchez Trace that was once a footpath for bison herds before becoming a travel corridor for Indigenous people, as well as European settlers in the late
18th century.
Many of its paths are open to dogs. The best way for a pup (or cat!) to earn the
B.A.R.K. Ranger title
here is to visit the visitor center near Tupelo, Miss., where guests can pick up a four-page activity booklet.
Prince William Forest Park
Prince William Forest Park is a great example of the enduring legacy of the
Civilian Conservation Corps.
The park opened during the Great Depression as a “relief” camp for D.C.’s underprivileged children. Today, the 15,000-acre natural refuge invites visitors
to explore 37 miles of trails, all of which are pet-friendly, with the exception of the
Chopawamsic Backcountry Area.
White Sands National Park
White Sands National Park is the world’s largest gypsum dune field — 275 square miles of desert — and one of the most dog-friendly NPS sites you can visit.
“Dogs are allowed anywhere in the dunes as long as they are following the
B.A.R.K. Ranger principles
,” ranger Sarah Sherwood said in an email. “This means that they are absolutely welcome to join their people while they sled.” That’s right; dog sand sledding
is not only allowed, it’s encouraged.
Once you’ve recovered from the thrill of racing down a dune with your furry friend, dog owners can take the pledge, stamp and sign their B.A.R.K. Ranger
brochure, and take it as a park keepsake. The Western National Parks Association bookstore also offers B.A.R.K. Ranger souvenirs for purchase.
Article: In Touch With Nature
Submitted by a GDUI member
Hello:
For those who may not know me, I’m Patty Fletcher and I’m working my second dog from The Seeing Eye®. He is a black Labrador cross named Blue and he’s
got me wrapped round his paw four times over.
I write with the goal of:
Bridging the great chasm which separates the Disabled from the non-disabled
I found this article fascinating for several reasons. First, I really enjoy learning about nature and its impressive power.
The ways of the animals have always captured my deepest imagination and longing to know more.
As a child I read Ranger Rick, watched Wild Kingdom, and devoured the children’s National Geographic. and now, I seek out information on the web. It’s
that seeking which has enabled me to share this with you.
I also enjoyed this article for the lovely photos with captions. That makes reading for a visually challenged or totally blind reader easier and allows
us to enjoy the photos as well. and I’m appreciative to the author for doing so.
Speaking of the author, I’ve known and worked with Robbie Cheadle for some time. I’m in anthologies with her and it’s a big thrill to say so.
Thanks for reading, if you do. Please make sure to reach out to Robbie and me to let us know your thoughts.
For now, I give you Robbie Cheadle.
in-touch-with-nature
Kaye and I are starting a new series this year entitled “In Touch With Nature”. We will be sharing information about the natural environment, and I will
include some of my nature videos, artworks, and photographs.
For any writers, poets and authors who have an interest in nature conservation and our natural environment, I have joined the Society of Environmental
Authors and Journalists. You can find out more about it here: Society of Environmental Authors and Journalists – Robbie Cheadle
For this first post in this series, I am discussing the topic of herbivores and carnivores.
The Oxford dictionary defines an herbivore as an animal that feeds on plants.
National Geographic expands on this to say that an herbivore is an organism that mostly feeds on plants. Herbivores range in size from tiny insects such
as aphids to large, lumbering elephants. You can read more on this topic here: Herbivore (
Conversely, Oxford defines a carnivore as an animal that feeds on other animals.
National Geographic says: “A carnivore is an organism that eats mostly meat, or the flesh of animals. Sometimes carnivores are called predators.” You can
read more here:
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/carnivore/
With the above in mind, did you know that many herbivores chew on bones? It’s true. Giraffes, red deer, reindeer, camels, wildebeest, kudu, gemsbok, and
sable antelopes, as well as domestic cows and sheep, are not the strict vegans we think they are. They have all been observed to consume bones in a practice
called osteophagy.
These animals do not actually eat the bones or break them open to eat the marrow inside, they only chew on dry bones and only when they are mineral deprived.
Chewing bones provides herbivores with essential nutrients, phosphorus, and a bit of sodium.
Phosphorus is an essential mineral for all animals. This mineral plays an important role in the formation of the skeletal system and is necessary for certain
biological processes including energy metabolism, protein synthesis, cell signaling, and lactation. A lack of phosphorus results in delayed growth and
failure to regenerate new bone as well as problems with the reproductive system.
Another way herbivores obtain essential minerals and other elements they need is natural licks, also called salt licks. These licks can be natural but
many are artificial and created by humans for the animals. You will see deer, moose, elephants, hippos, rhinos, tapirs, woodchucks, fox squirrels, mountain
goats, porcupines and frugivorous bats all making use of natural or artificial licks to obtain phosphorus and biometals (sodium, calcium, iron, zinc, and
other trace elements).
A further surprise is that lions sometimes eat small amounts of grass to extract certain nutrients they need. As their digestive system is designed to
digest meat, they cannot digest the grass fully and often vomit soon after eating it.
Some of the reasons a lion may eat grass are as follows:
◦ It helps provide them with a source of water;
◦ It helps maintain their body weight;
◦ It helps keep them cool in hot weather;
◦ It helps settle stomach aches; and
◦ Its an easy way for a lion to get nutrients.
Lions are versatile. This means that if they are hunting in dry regions like the Kalahari Desert, lions may eat plants and fruits as an alternate source
of water. Lions don’t drink very much.
image-4
Picture caption: Male lion in the bush. He looks like he is chuckling. Photograph by Robbie Cheadle.
image-5
Picture caption: My teeth are bigger than your teeth! Male lion in the bush. Photograph by Robbie Cheadle.
Domestic dogs and cats also sometimes eat grass for the same reasons as lions.
To continue reading please click the link below.
IMPORTANT- Editor’s note- announcements and articles, for 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
Co-editor and GDUI Immediate Past President: Penny Reeder
Paws for GDUI- News You Can Use!
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