ails ß F R O M M I N N E S O T A For Friends of Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota Summer 2008 Vol. 19 Issue 3 In 1988, Lucky, pictured above, was the firstT dog we adopted from an animal shelter. She was homeless and was scheduled to be euthanized that day. Lucky served as our demonstration dog for 11 years. She is symbolic of our commitment to save homeless dogs while fulfilling our mission to serve people with disabilities. Dog Of Her Dreams Sarah Rieke and Faye by Shelley Frederickson Sarah Rieke of Eagan, Minn., dreamed Throughout the process, Sarah says, the of having a Service Dog for a long time. key to success was consistency. The time When she contracted polio as a child and persistence in training paid off, and living in India, the disease damaged soon Faye added skills to help Sarah stand nerve cells in her spinal cord and caused and maintain her balance. paralysis in her left leg. Although she survived the initial infection, Sarah Sarah says Faye fits in well with her developed post-polio syndrome. The active lifestyle, which includes working fatigue and muscle weakness she full-time and going to school part-time to experiences make it difficult for her to earn a degree in supervisory management. keep her balance and effects her ability “Faye comes to work with me and sits to lift or carry objects without risk of under my desk. The call center I work at falling. is nice and quiet, which makes it a great environment for Faye,” Sarah comments. “I gained mobility with the assistance of a leg brace, cane and walker,” Sarah She adds that Faye’s impact on her life has says. “But I knew that having a Service been substantial. “First and foremost, Faye Dog would help me with the daily tasks is a great companion. I love having her that made living independently Sarah and Faye around. She enjoys going on walks, and I difficult.” She first applied for a Service get more exercise. She’s a great help to Dog with another organization while a 2-year-old black Labrador. When they me. With her, I’m more independent,” living in Eau Claire, Wis., but she met for the first time, Sarah says she Sarah says. couldn’t afford the costs of traveling to was instantly impressed with Faye’s their location to train with a dog. precision and skills. “I knew she was She encourages people considering an the dog for me!” she says. assistance dog to apply. “Assistance dogs Undaunted, Sarah continued researching are great companions and will help you Service Dog organizations when she Sarah quickly developed a strong bond more than you can imagine. Hearing and moved back to Minnesota. While with Faye, and the two went to work Service Dogs of Minnesota will match surfing the Internet, she discovered learning the skills that make a great you with a great dog!” she says Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota. team. Graduate Services Coordinator enthusiastically. Sarah thanks the Sarah applied and was paired with Faye, Mona Elder says she was pleasantly organization’s supporters and everyone surprised at how fast their training who helped bring Faye into her life. Inside This Issue progressed. “When Faye first moved in Sarah’s final comment when asked how it with Sarah we talked about teaching feels to be certified? A very enthusiastic From the Executive Director ............ 2 her how to retrieve Sarah’s cane,” “Whoo hoo!” Wally LaBerge & Newman ................ 3 Mona says. “When I stopped by a few THOSE WHO MADE THIS Ken Stenzel & Calvin ........................ 4 days later, she was already retrieving the cane! I was amazed at how quickly PLACEMENT POSSIBLE New Staff Members ........................... 5 Faye learned that skill because it was Dog Source Development News ........................... 8 totally new for her.” Becky and Glen Bodien Kristi Nicholson & Odie .................... 9 Veterinary Services Terry Hansmeier & Stanley ..............10 Sarah says she thoroughly enjoyed the training experience. “It was great Life Care Animal Hospital Vicki Brotzel & Slim ........................ 11 learning new techniques and watching Volunteer Spotlight ......................... 11 Puppy Raiser Faye become more and more confident Autumn Brodhecker in her abilities,” she recalls. From the Executive Director Volume 19 Issue 3 Al Peters & Rosie New friends The Economy were made at Tails From Minnesota The effects of our the Gala Dinner difficult economy Published quarterly for friends and supporters of on June 23, Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota can be seen 2008 in London everywhere you England. Editor/Layout/Design look and they are felt by all of us. Pictured are Alan M. Peters Sue Schuster Whether its gas prices or food assistance dog Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota prices, our expenses are going up providers from is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life and our incomes are not necessarily for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or varied organizations around the disabled by creating mutually beneficial following along. world: L to R, Dave Rankin from partnerships with specially trained dogs. Scotland, Becky Barnes and Guide We envision a future in which every At the recently completed phone-a- Dog, Flyer, from USA, Silvana Gross person who needs and wants an thon fundraiser, I heard from a from Switzerland, Al Peters from assistance dog can have one. number of people who had USA, and Danny Vancoppernolle Hearing Dogs are adopted from local animal contributed during previous phone- from Belgium. shelters, placed with deaf or hard-of-hearing clients a-thons but couldn’t do so this year and specially trained to alert clients to important sounds in their environment. Service Dogs are due to job changes or other economy and I visited other schools in trained to help people with physical disabilities by related pressures. Others, however, England before the conference and pulling their wheelchairs, picking up or carrying made extraordinary efforts to step objects, opening doors, flipping light switches and learned much about the happenings performing other daily tasks. Dogs, training and forward and help the organization, among our contemporaries around supplies are provided to each client free of charge. knowing that times were challenging the world. We made vital Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota for non-profit organizations, too. connections to increase our ability to 2537 25th Avenue South locate appropriate dogs, utilize Minneapolis MN 55406 Just as individuals are adversely 612-729-5986, 612-729-5914 tty/fax forward thinking training methods e-mail [email protected] affected by the economy, non-profit and bring new service ideas back to website www.hsdm.org agencies like ours also feel pressure Minnesota. Plans for our recently Board of Directors in more ways than one. Not only are initiated Autism Assist Dog program Mary Quist President some contributors less able to help originated at a similar conference a Carlos Villalpando Vice President this year, but our expenses for Lisa Knazan Secretary few years ago. Monique Morton Treasurer utilities and for transporting and Sara Braziller Kara Fairbairn feeding dogs have also risen Kim and I are grateful to Rich and Lisa Knazan MarySue Krueger significantly. We need your help! John Parzych Maggie Cress and Tim and Julie Maureen Pranghofer Please contribute as generously as Rainey for each donating a round trip John Stockman Len Washko you can. And plan to attend this ticket to London so we were able to Staff year’s Heel and Wheel event. Your attend this conference. Thank you so To reach a staff member via phone, dial participation will help bring in very much! 612-729-5986. When you hear the greeting, much-needed income so we can press the extension number. continue to meet the needs of people Laurie Carlson Event & Volunteer Coordinator fl‹ [email protected] ext. 113 with disabilities. See the brochure in Rob Carrick Puppy Program Coordinator the center of this newsletter. [email protected] ext. 111 Janet Cobus Development Director [email protected] ext. 153 Assistance Dogs International Hearing and Mona Elder Graduate Services Coordinator Service Dogs [email protected] ext. 155 This year, Director of Training Kim Kim Hyde Director of Training Hyde and I were able to attend the of Minnesota [email protected] ext. 154 combined International Guide Dog was honored Rita Jesse Graduate Presenter at the Julianne Larsen Special Programs Coordinator Federation convention and the [email protected] ext. 117 Assistance Dogs International conference Jessica Nadeau Development Assistant convention in London, England. for achieving [email protected] ext. 152 Assistance Angela Olson Kennel Manager What a wonderful experience! Kim [email protected] ext. 156 Dogs Lee Perish Account Assistant Al Peters bids Intenational [email protected] 612-729-5914 tty farewell to new Al Peters Executive Director accreditation during 2007. Al Peters [email protected] ext. 116 friend Yumi is pictured with other Executive Thomas Rehbein Administrative Assistant Taniguchi and Directors honored at this time by our [email protected] ext. 151 her Hearing Jason Stebner Administrative Assistant trade association. Currently, 44 [email protected] ext. 157 Dog, Sammy, organizations, like Hearing and Maria Dunn, Aubrey Prigge from Japan. Service Dogs of Minnesota, have Kennel Assistants attained this advanced status and 110 other members have yet to achieve accreditation. 2 Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota One Great Dog Wally Laberge and Newman by Julianne Larsen For Tim and Victoria LaBerge of St. Both of these behaviors tend to calm Paul, Minn., a dog is much more than Wally and give him something else a companion for the kids. Their 8- to focus on. year-old son, Wally, has autism, and the family’s newest member has Newman sleeps on Wally’s bed or become a bridge between Wally and nearby.