NEWSLETTER 38                                                                                                                         MAY 2003

 

 

 

 

1983 – 2003

Congratulations Canine Helpers on your 20th Anniversary!

 

 

 

 

OUR ANNIVERSARY PUPPY

~ Ginny ~

 

“Ginny” is an adorable 9-week old mixed breed puppy, rescued by the EC SPCA and adopted by – lucky us.  She is named “Ginny” in memory of Virginia, the deaf lady who introduced me to the concept of Hearing Ear Dogs.  Virginia and her German Shepherd “Danielle” opened the doorway to a new career and way of life for me.  “Ginny” is an excellent candidate for a Hearing Ear Dog, and hopes to meet you all at our June 7th Open House!

 

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Pre CANINE HELPERS History

 

 

                One of the most frequently asked questions of Canine Helpers is “How did Bev ever get started in this field; how did she know how to train the dogs to do these wonderful things for their partners?  Well, we decided after 20 years to ask Bev to tell her own story.  So the following is part one of Bev’s account on “How It All Began”…

          “Well actually, I wanted to train Guide Dogs when I graduated from high school, but found that the field was closed to women.  So, I got into every other dog field I could:  obedience training, grooming, boarding, Schutzhund training, showing, rescuing and raising German Shepherds (I bred one litter, could not part with them, kept them all…wrong direction for me!)  I loved working with dogs, but still wanted desperately to help people.  Then in 1979 Virginia, who was deaf and wanted a hearing ear dog, approached me with the hearing dog concept.  Exactly what I needed!  We selected a bright German Shepherd, “Danielle”, and began to experiment with hearing dog training, with great success!  By the time “Danielle” was one year old, she was fully trained.  We then took her to the center outside Boston, MA where she was originally going to be trained.  “Danielle” was tested and certified as a Hearing Dog that very day!”

          “Next I developed a puppy program for the same Boston hearing dog center.  For three years I tested and rescued puppies and the Niagara County 4-H’ers helped raise them.  I then trained the dogs and donated them to the Boston center.  At that point, I didn’t fully understand the concept of non-profit, nor the struggle that goes along with it.  Meanwhile, I was going broke paying the puppies’ expenses and traveling to and from the Boston center.  At least I thought, if I’m going to go broke anyway, I might as well open my own center.  Little did I know what lied ahead!” (…more CHH history in our next issue…)  

          Well, 20 years later, I swear no two dogs or two people have been alike.  And, true, the job has its share of challenges, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.  Every day I get to see how truly amazing dogs are.  Their intelligence and unconditional love are phenomenal.  There is no limit to what they will try to do for their human partners.  PLUS, I get to see the best side of humanity – from my family and friends, to the volunteers, to the contributors and clients.  It is proof that, although it may not be easy, dreams really can come true.

          During our 20 years, HUNDREDS of CARING PEOPLE have worked together towards our common goal of saving dogs’ lives while helping people with disabilities lead more independent, secure, and happy lives.  Without YOUR help, we could not have done it.  YOU are why Canine Helpers can say “Building independence for 20 years”.  YOU are what keeps us going!

 

Thank you and God Bless you all!

Beverly   

 

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~ BLUE ~

 

          For all of “Blue’s” followers who have not yet heard, “Blue” passed away last November.  Lovingly nicknamed “Begging Blue”, his favorite pastime was doing PR work and collecting funds for Canine Helpers.  Many of you were familiar with his gentle pleading eyes as he carefully nudged you, basket in mouth, politely asking for a donation.  If you did give a donation, his tail would wag fifty miles and hour showing his appreciation while watching for his next willing candidate.  “Blue” is sadly missed by all of us, but I’m sure he is looking down at his successors saying, “Hurry up, pick up those baskets and get busy – we have more people to help! . . . And don’t forget to smile!”

 

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~ Who Would’ve Cared ~

 

Many people have passed us by.

No passion from the human hand, as we sat so hungry and cried.

Some of us, alone walking the street so cold at night,

Just looking for food from dark until light.

 

We’re man’s best friend…but not always in the end.

We’re dumped along the sides of roads, after all the love we’ve shown.

 

Then came along a caring heart.  She took us home, gave us a new start.

She gives us hope and so much love; she is our angel from above.

We are now warm, fed and loved.

So much – from one loving person with a caring touch.

 

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WE ALWAYS LOVE HEARING FROM OUR CANINE HELPER FRIENDS

and thought you’d enjoy excerpts from their letters…

 

From Linda Taylor and “Tanner”…

          …”Tanner” was trained to push the emergency button for Lifetime and an ambulance if I fall on the floor.  But now he seems to recognize when I need help even when I am not on the floor.  In the last year he has gotten me to the hospital a half dozen times when I had heart problems and not seizures.  He’s also gotten me there when I have had seizures.  He’ll push that button more than one time if the ambulance does not get here fast enough to suit him!  If I wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, he wakes up, follows me in there, waits for me, follows me back to my bedroom and watches me get in my bed.  Then he goes to his bed by the side of mine.  He also waits for me to get in my bed before going to his at bedtime.  When I take him out to restaurants, movies, theaters, museums and to friends’ homes, he is a perfect gentleman!  I never have to worry about his behavior.

          “Tanner” has helped me beyond anything I could imagine before I got him.  We have a mutual love society between us.  THANK YOU and all the staff at Canine Helpers for him; he makes it possible for me to live alone with complete confidence that I will get the help that I need when I need it…

 

From Leslie Little and “Buck”…

          …At 9 years old “Buck” is still mastering new tasks!  He now knows how to remove my hand bracing units.  They are metal with soft covering to protect his teeth, with leather straps.  He knows their name as lefty and righty and brings me the correct one when I ask for it!  He also knows how to move the wheelchair tire and how to slide it and lift it up for me to change.  He learned this when I was transferring out of the car and putting the chair together, and the one tire rolled off a little ways.  I told him to get out and pointed to the chair and then to the tire and said, “Bring, please”.  He sized it up at first and then gently touched it and began using his front paws and nose to slide it back to me.  He then pushed his nose under the tire and pushed it against my leg so that I could lean forward while bracing to get it!

Take care and keep up the fantastic work you do!

“Buck” and his person, Leslie

 

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Congratulations Graduate!

Graduation ceremonies at 1:00 during open house.

 

Kevin Williams & “George”, Service Dog – Black Lab, Jamestown, NY:

                Hi!  My name is Kevin.  I was involved in an accident that left me a quadriplegic.  In January of 2003, I was matched with a beautiful Black Lab named “George”, and we started training together.  Since bringing “George” to Jamestown, we have formed an excellent friendship and working relationship.  He helps me do so much that I cannot do myself, such as picking up objects, opening the apartment door, opening the refrigerator, pushing elevator buttons and helping me to get outside.  In addition, he’s a faithful companion.  “George” still has some puppy playfulness and loves to run after his toys.  We love to go to my parent’s house in the country where he can run beside my wheelchair.  Since having “George”, I’ve become so much more independent.  He means the world to me.  My family and I all love him.  All the help that Bev, Rich, and the staff at Canine Helpers has given means so much to me.

 

Thank you to everyone who has helped me with “George”!

 

               

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Remember Heartworm checkups and preventative for your pets!

 

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Please let us know if we need to correct your name or address.

 

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Thanks to all who supported our Christmas Open House and to the following Chinese Raffle Sponsors!

 

THE BAG & BARREL – AKRON

SHATAF KENNELS – AMHERST

BADDING BROTHERS FARM MARKET – E. AMHERST

COFFEE GRIND – E. AMHERST

MIGHTY TACO – E. AMHERST

MULBERRY STREET TOYS – E. AMHERST

PETER HOFERT JEWELERS – E. AMHERST

SALONICA FAMILY RESTAURANT – E. AMHERST

VALLE JEWELERS – BATAVIA

SOAP CREATIONS & MORE – CHEEKTOWAGA

ORASIO’S RESTAURANT – CLARENCE

RED DOOR SKI & BICYCLE SHOPS – CLARENCE

ADRIENNE ZUPPA PAINTING & CRAFTS – CORFU

EM ORIGINALS – CORFU

CLYDE’S FEED & ANIMAL CENTER – HAMBURG

TRUE VALUE HARDWARE - HAMBURG

NICO FLOORING – LEWISTON

CAMBRIA WINE CELLARS – LOCKPORT

KENAN CENTER – LOCKPORT

RHINEHART FARMS – LOCKPORT

SUE’S GROOMING – LOCKPORT

AUDREY’S GROOMING – NEWFANE

BILL’S DINER – NEWFANE

CAFORA’S – NEWFANE

THE COFFEE EMPORIUM – NEWFANE

CREEKSIDE COUNTRY CAFÉ – NEWFANE

FLINT BROTHERS HARDWARE – NEWFANE

FOOD KING – NEWFANE

GORDIE HARPER’S BAZAAR – NEWFANE

KARON’S BAKERY – NEWFANE

NAPA NEWFANE AUTOMOTIVE – NEWFANE

NETWORK VIDEO – NEWFANE

PALLISTER HOUSE FLOWERS & GIFTS – NEWFANE

PETERSON’S LOVE OF PETE – NEWFANE

R. V. MOBILE SERVICE – NEWFANE

SHUR FINE FOOD CENTER – NEWFANE

SUN SPLASH VIDEO – NEWFANE

TAYLOR LUMBER AND SUPPLY – NEWFANE

WILSON’S PIZZA – NEWFANE

CALICO CORNERS – N. TONAWANDA

BUFFALO BILLS FOOTBALL – ORCHARD PARK

EDDIE’S BREWERY & GRILL – ORCHARD PARK

ORCHARD PARK PET SPA – ORCHARD PARK

SAVILLE’S – ORCHARD PARK

W. G. ARTHUR CO. – ORCHARD PARK

COUNTRY ROADHOUSE INN – RANSOMVILLE

D. H. CLOY & SON – RANSOMVILLE

FAERY’S NURSERY – RANSOMVILLE

NORTH COUNTRY DELI – RANSOMVILLE

CALKINS LUMBER CO. INC. – SANBORN

SANBORN GREENHOUSES – SANBORN

SANBORN OLD GENERAL STORE – SANBORN

SMOKIN JOES – SANBORN

TOWN OF NIAGARA LIONS CLUB

HAIR I AM – TONAWANDA

BUFFALO CANDLE AND CRAFT – WEST SENECA

DREAM CHASERS – WILLIAMSVILLE

JOE MATA’S – WILLIAMSVILLE

OLD RED MILL – WILLIAMSVILLE

STARBUCK’S – WILLIAMSVILLE

WOLTER’S BAKERY – WILLIAMSVILLE

WILSON HOUSE – WILSON

GWEN AND ORLANDO ACHILLI

BETTY AND DON CLARK

MARGE CLEMENTS

THE CRAFT EMPORIUM

MILDRED DOOLEY

LAURIE GEORGE

KRISTA AND DAVID HANSEN

MICHAEL HOPLIGHT

DOREEN AND BILL KISH

REBECCA AND DAVID KLAMUT

ROSE LEDERHOUSE

DOREEN MCPHERSON – HANDCRAFTS

IRENE MURAWSKI

CELESTE NELSON

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY

SHIRLEY AND AUSTIN PARK

PET NET

PATTI PUTNAM

RIVERSIDE MEN’S SHOP

SCALON’S JEWELERS

JEANNE AND JIM SCHMIDT

KATHY SCOTT

M. TENEYCK

SANDY AND TICHARD THOMPSON

TONY TOYS PLUS

BEVERLY UNDERWOOD

MARION UNDERWOOD

SHIRLEY AND TODD UNDERWOOD

 

 

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Would YOU like to make a difference?

 

Mobility

Enthusiasm

Motivation

Balance

Enrichment

Resiliency

Security

Happiness

Independence

Productiveness

 

                Did you know that you can help provide all of these by becoming a member of Canine Helpers for the Handicapped?

Our memberships are for one year:  July 1st to June 30th.

Would you please consider joining us? 

 

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Tape Saver Update

 

            A big THANK YOU to all of our Top’s tape savers!  We are receiving tapes from new people as well as our many-year senders each week, which keeps our mailman busy, as well as Hilde Henricks and the rest of our tape cutting crew.

As most of you know, we receive $1 for each $600 in tape totals.  After cutting, adding and bundling them, we turn them in to our local Tops Market each month.

This is a very worthwhile, on-going fund raiser for Canine Helpers, so please spread the word to your friends and neighbors.  To save postage, you can cut tapes to envelope size or drop them off at our Center if you’re out for a drive.  Be sure you name and address is with them so we can send you our next newsletter.

Once again, thank you.  We really appreciate your help!

Marion

           

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~ We dedicate this newsletter in loving memory of Celeste Nelson ~

 

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END