Newsletter 46
November 2005
Building News
Thanks to your
generous support, work on our new garage/storage building is finally under way.
As a matter of fact, by the time you read this, it should be finished! It
measures 30’ x 24’ and was added on to the back of the existing training room.
It will be used as a garage for Canine Helpers’ vans, as well as providing much
needed storage space. We will now be able to remove all the clutter and
supplies from the training room and office and store them in the new addition.
This will maximize the amount of space available for training. We will also use
this new area to exercise the dogs in bad weather, and look forward to
insulating and finishing the inside through future fundraising events.
Thank you Santa and to all your generous helpers who not only funded our
project, but also had it built in time for our Christmas Open House!
In The Beginning...
By June 1983, Beverly Underwood had already earned quite a reputation for
rescuing unwanted animals and rehabilitating them. After doling out plenty of
love and care, she would then try to find loving homes for each of them.
Needless to say, dogs always nestled a little closer to Beverly’s heart.
While
Beverly’s love of dogs kept her very busy, she also had a strong desire to help
people. Knowing personally the positive affect dogs can have on our lives,
Beverly decided to combine her two goals into one with a DOUBLE MISSION: helping
people while saving dogs’ lives. And so it was in June 1983 that, with the
support of family, friends, and four good tempered abandoned dogs, Beverly
founded Canine Helpers for the Handicapped, Inc., and officially opened its
modest doors.
Eagerly,
Beverly welcomed her first applicant, Bobbi, who was a deaf school teacher from
Olean, NY. When Bobbi came to Canine Helpers to pick out her Hearing Dog, she
chose “Libby” who was a little Beagle/Lab mix adopted from Save-A-Pet. After
Libby’s three months of customized training, Bobbi returned to Canine Helpers to
train with Libby at Beverly’s mom’s home. Bonding and training progressed very
well, so Bobbi and Libby returned home to Olean, accompanied by Beverly, who
spent the next week sleeping on a couch in Bobbi’s basement apartment. At home
extensive hearing work for door bell, knock, telephone, alarm clock, stove
timer, name, and smoke alarm continued. On the streets Libby responded to
emergency sirens and car horns.
At the
elementary school where Bobbi taught deaf children, Libby responded to fire
drills, door knocks, Bobbi’s name, and the telephone. Libby also played an
important role in the children’s daily routine. At the beginning of nap time
Bobbi would set a timer. When the timer went off, Libby would get up, run
across the room and paw Bobbi. Seeing this, the children knew nap time was over
and they could get up.
Everything
was going along smoothly, till one day when Beverly got a perplexing phone call
from a very concerned Bobbi. Although Libby had been responding fine to all her
sounds, she began acting strangely every time the telephone rang. At first
Libby would head toward the ringing telephone as trained, but rather than follow
through, she would quickly drop down and instantly go to sleep.
Minor panic
soon set in. What was wrong with Libby…could it be Narcolepsy? Beverly quickly
headed to Olean and brought Libby back for a thorough examination and testing.
Thankfully, Libby was found to be in perfect health! What had appeared to be a
major sleep disorder turned out to be a correctable behavioral problem. It seems
our Libby had gotten tired of responding to the telephone, so she simply acted
like she fell asleep! (Who says dogs are dumb?) With a little re-enforcement
training, Libby broke her unacceptable behavior and became an excellent,
reliable Hearing Ear Dog.
Canine Helpers was
very fortunate when the Olean Lions Club came to Bobbi’s door
soliciting donations. When they saw Libby respond to the door, they were very
curious and interested in Libby’s background. The next thing Canine Helpers
knew, the Olean Lions had not only donated money towards Libby’s expenses, but
they had also spearheaded a community effort to completely sponsor her!
We were
greatly impressed by the Lions’ generosity then, and we continue to be amazed by
the number of caring individuals and organizations who still look for ways to
help others.
Double Success #1
For pre Canine Helpers history, check out
newsletter No. 38 (May ’03) on our website
Suzi Behun and “Sparky”
Hearing Ear Dog
Shih Tzu
Ellicott, Maryland
Sparky is an adorable little Shih Tzu who had been rescued
with his mother. When I first saw him he was in training at Canine Helpers’
center, and I wanted to adopt him as my new Hearing Ear Dog. I knew he could
not take the place of my last HED, Kelli, as each dog is very different. Kelli
and I had a good life together.
Sparky needed a home and I needed a new HED. Sparky makes a
wonderful companion too! He makes my heart melt.
Often he wags his tail to let me know he is happy to be with me.
Sparky
alerts me to all the sounds in my environment. I feel very secure with
him, as he also alerts me to the smoke alarm. He is my four legged friend.
Thank you all for supporting Sparky and me!
Thanks to Latko Printing!
Our
very special thanks to Steve Latko at Latko Printing in Amherst, NY for donating
1000 extra copies of Canine Helpers’ August
newsletter when we
needed more in a hurry!
We appreciate the
great job you’ve done for the past 20years!
Sevrin
Spencer and “Teiki”
Multi-Service Dog
Shih Tzu
Buffalo, New York
When Sevrin and Teiki met two weeks ago, they immediately started to bond.
Sevrin is a 6-year old boy who has recently suffered his fourth stroke, leaving
his left side paralyzed. Teiki is a Shih Tzu Assistance Dog with a calm and
attentive demeanor. Teiki was awarded to Sevrin through the Make-a-Wish
Foundation, and having her is truly a dream come true for our family. After
they met, Teiki immediately helped calm and sooth Sevrin with great eye contact
and a soft touch of her paw. Our whole family has gone through extensive
training, and will continue to do so, to enable Teiki to detect signs of stress
in Sevrin and alert Mom or Dad. Teiki’s incredible range of senses allows
her to hear Sevrin cough, see him cry and smell when he is in distress. By
training on a daily basis with Sevrin, Teiki’s bond with him grows, allowing her
to help us all take care of Sevrin.
Teiki’s training goes well beyond obedience. We are establishing a
pattern with her to alert us to signs of distress in Sevrin. When her training
is complete, Teiki will paw us and take us to Sevrin if she detects any signs of
distress. Teiki has already learned to take either one of us back to Sevrin
with minimal queuing. Treats, petting and a lot of excitement are Teiki’s
reward for a job well done. In only two weeks, Teiki has joined our family
by participating in Sevrin’s care. Soon she will be a full-fledged member,
staying over night and focusing on Sevrin full
time.
Her amazing work ethic and desire to make Sevrin happy ensure that she will
fit right in at our home!
Featured Pet: Thunder
Thunder is
our newsletter’s lucky “featured pet”. He is a great tempered five year old
Husky/Shepherd cross, and loves everybody! His one little catch is that he
likes to jump fences… tall fences… even six foot fences and run. Although we
think this habit has been pretty well curbed, we do not want to take any
chances. Thunder needs to be walked on a leash at all times. He is well
trained and walks politely. Thunder is very light hearted and has lots of love
to offer.
So, if you like taking walks and need a loving partner, Thunder may be the
boy for you. For adoption information and an application form, please call our
center at 716-433-4035.
Outstanding Support
Make-A-Wish Foundation of WNY Bank of Akron
Mary Lou & Richard Manfredi W. J.
Cox Associates, Inc.
Niagara Falls Harley Owners Group Visteon Climate
Control Systems, Ltd.
District 20N Lions
“See the Possibilities” Fund
Puppy Sponsorship
Team Sponsorship
Antonia Greenman Chambers & Morgan Greenman
Barbara McNamara
~ In memory of Gloria Greenman ~
Betty Kirsch
Dental Health Products, Inc.
~ In Memory of
Loved Ones ~
Paul C.
Allison Robert Green Bill
Tolhurst
By: Tonawandas’ Business By: Janet Gunzelman By:
Canine Search & Recovery
& Professional Women’s Club
Andrew Chambers
Francis &
Blanche Toole
Jenny
James Chambers
Denise Allison
By: Anna McCollum Bradley & Carol Chambers-Jeffries
Jacqualyn Allison
Frederick
& Janet Chambers
Frances Schultz Roy
Richardson
By: Shirley Richardson
Joseph Kish
Raymond Doel
By: Sue Klamut Lillian Pingitore
By: Marlyne & Russ Arcara
William & Doreen Kish
By: Joseph Pingitore &
Family
Anna Wilczynski Robert Carlin
Leota Fisher
By: Tillio & Irene LaVanche By: Judith Carlin
By: Betty Jane Glynn
Mark
Hoyt Josiah Stephen Renaldo
By: Janine Hoyt By: Great Grandma Underwood
~
In Honor of Loved Ones ~
Sharon and Michael Behun
Tim Gensheimer
By: Suzanne Behun
By: Mary Bushong
~ In Memory of
Beloved Pets ~
Nicki, Hershey, Annabelle Dalcin
Jenny & Muffy
By: Dorothy Shaw
By: Suzanne Behun
Matilda
Casper
Tasha & Brandi
By: Ruth Read
By: Jean Caetano
By: Janice Pilarowski
Coco The
Wonder Dog Killian
Trooper By: James
Uschold By: Jim & Chris Hoffman
By: Carol & Alfonso DiFrancesco
Baron
Heidi
Justice By: Jeannine
Piette By: Linda Norak
By: Kim Young
Brandi
Sandy
Toki, Kola, Jocko
By: Pat Podkladek By: Dave Skaiski
Panda, Napolean, Whitney
By: Patricia Townley
Freckles All Pets
By: Sandra Wheaton By:
Sherry Werth
Mulligan
By: Pat Scheil Miss
Minnie Amelia
By: John & Mary Feeter
By: Dorothy Shaw
Holly
By: Dori Anderson Dougan
Feral Cat Fluffy
By: Janet Zurek
By: John Lynch
Miles
By: Jane & Jon Olstad Sheba
Codi
By: Noreen Reese
By: Dorothy Shaw
Patches Boomer
Abbey
By: David & Carol Weidman By: Beverly Underwood
By:
The Kishes
~ In Honor of Pets
~
Tigger
Gizmo
By: Loretta
Smith
By: The Kishes
Members and Contributors
Janet Gunzelman
Gerald Murphy
Kathy D’Elia
Ellen Wilson
July 2005
Rosemary Van
Auker So. Park Presbyterian
Church Joan E. Wright
Tonawandas’ Business Rita
Zwink Marilyn Conway
& Professional Women’s Club
Donald Hills Irna M. Kraft
Holy Ghost Lutheran Women’s
Theodore Winkle, DVM, PC Francis & Blanche
Toole
Missionary League Southtowns
Animal Hospital
Judith Silco
Antonio Greenman Chambers
Denise Allison
Jacqualyn Allison
& Morgan Greenman Virginia
Duncan Carr Lloyd & Judy
Gerstung
Calico Sams Camping Club Windom
Community Church
Cheryl Zelasko
Marcelle Kirsch
Battle of the Bands Jon
Nelson
Williamsville Lions Club, Inc.
Zion Missions Andrew Chambers
Canine Search & Recovery, Inc. Janice
Gantress James Chambers
Frederick & Janet Chambers Arthur &
Harriet Cline Frances Schultz
Barbara McNamara Suzanne
Behun Dorothy Shaw
Lions Club of Steward Manor Avon
Lioness Club Eunice Mast
Orchard Park Veterinary Medical Ctr
Ruth Read Ronald Dibartolomeis
Special Kids Picnic - Grand Island Lions
Paul & Judy Bassette Arlene Olds
Bank of Akron – Clarence Ctr Branch Robyn
Mandell Susan Nowicki
SEFA Donor Choice Program Anna
McCollum
Sue Klamut
Bradley & Carol Chambers Jefferies CFC Donor
Choice Program Betty Kirsch
W. J. Cox Associates, Inc. Dental
Health Products, Inc.
Jacqueline Murphy
Janice Pilarowski Richard
Thompson Richard Zicari
United Way of Buffalo & Erie Co.
James & Marilyn Skorik W. J. Cox
Associates, Inc
Donor Choice Program
Employee Charity Fund
August
2005
Shirley
Richardson Jean
Caetano Jane Titterson
Jeremiah & Mary Ellen O’Leary
James Uschold Patricia Walker
Calspanners League
Tom & Terry Pilkington John
& Wrae Gorman
Niagara Falls Harley Owners Group
Wyoming City H.O.G. Stonybrook Bar
& Grill
SEFA Donor Choice Program District 20N
Lions Club Melissa Spina
Beverly Czodli
Elizabeth Bruce Eunice Mast
Rushville Lions Club
Joseph Pingitore & Family Karen
Scalia
Mary Lou Aepelbacher
Renae Owens Elizabeth Sojka
Allied Publisher’s Service Mid Atlantic States
Donald & Betty Clark Ida Schaer
Carol & Alfonso DiFrancesco Niagara
Frontier CFC Jim &
Chris Hoffman
Kathy & Greg Tomsic Donor
Choice Program Jeannine Piette
Jennie Houpt
Barbara Burns Suzanne
Freeman
Betty Jane Glynn Marlyne
& Russ Arcara Tillio
& Irene LaVanche
John & Mary Rose Hufnagel Kim
Young Irma Fix
Rose Parkhill Greatbatch,
Inc. Andrew Fortin
Colden United Methodist Church
Kathryn & Philip Trinchera
Linda Norak
Niagara Orleans Order of the Eastern Star
Margaret Moran Allan &
Judith Zollitsch
Pat Podkladek Dave
Skalski Mary Bushong
J.P. Fitzeralds
R.D. Murray
Nicolette Alfieri
Alice Hexemer
Patricia Townley
Robert & Ellen Karp
Mary Lou & Richard Manfredi
Faith Ostwald Vera
Caldwell
September 2005
Sandra Wheaton
United Way of Buffalo & Erie Co.
Good Sam Sippin Sams Chapter
Donor Choice Program
Moira Holt
David Brundage
Sherry Werth
Beatrice Fitzgerald
Pat Scheil
Dawn Rogers
John & Mary Feeter
Joseph & Ilsa Schultheis
Dorothy Shaw
Janine Hoyt
Dori Anderson Iroquois Bar
Corp.
Steven W. Lee, D.C. DBA
Jocelyn Farrell
Frank Lis
Immanuel Lutheran Church
Joyce
Cromwell Margaret Lomas
Insurance Women of Buffalo, Inc.
Tammy Johannes John & Rita Hahn
A.S.R.E.P. of Amherst Lutheran Church
Janet Zurek John Lynch
Newfield Lioness Club, Inc.
Rich Products Corporation Floyd
Barnes
Rosemary Folgert
Anonymous Friends Loretta
Smith
Deaf Adult Services, Inc. of WNY
Helen Rogers Margaret Call
Ouderkirk Cragg Post 805 CFC Donor
Choice Program Connie Sherry
Visteon Climate Control Systems, Ltd.
Keith Cavalier Elwyn VanEtten
“See the Possibilities” Fund
Livingston-Wyoming ARC
Jane & Jon Olstad
Make-A-Wish Foundation of WNY Noreen
Reese Debbie Welch
David & Carol Weidman Judith
Carlin
Anonymous Friend
Sigma Phi Gamma Int’l Sorority, Inc.
Bath Lions Club
Bill & Doreen Kish
Beta Beta Chapter
Gowanda Lions Club
Special thanks
to all of you who donate through the United Way, SEFA and CFC Donor Choice
Program!