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Executive Director Message
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February - thoughts turn to red hearts, candy, flowers, and
a Box of Chocolates. If you are thinking of a fun, unique way to say "I love you" this Valentine's Day, click on the Box of Chocolates link to see our special Box of Chocolates! This litter of chocolate Labrador Retrievers came to the campus late January, to be fostered in our valued puppy raiser homes, as they embark on their journey to be a guide dog. Help give them the healthiest start possible with your generous support! Our goal is $5,000 - the amount it will take to give these chocolates a healthy beginning. Please note some of the upcoming events, supporting Guide Dogs of the Desert. At Sam's Club in Palm Desert, Guide Dogs of the Desert has been designated as their February charity-of-choice. Come visit us at Sam's Club.
Guide Dogs of the Desert will have an information booth at the Dr. George Car Show on February 8. Later in the month, Boy Scout Tristan Bluto from Troop #377 will be satisfying his Eagle Project requirement at the campus. Congrats to Tristan on his pending rank advancement! A special "shout out" to client Sandy Esposito and her husband Joe, and the community of Canon City, Colorado, for hosting a Guide Dogs for our Heros Dinner fundraising event for Guide Dogs of the Desert. We are especially blessed when clients initiate additional support for the school. THANK YOU SANDY, JOE and guide BOBBIE!! Last, I am pleased to announce new Sponsorship Opportunities are now available, for your consideration in supporting Guide Dogs of the Desert. I invite you to take a look. Lots happening at Guide Dogs of the Desert and YOU make it possible! We value your continued support!
Blessings,
Sarah Clapp
Executive Director |
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UPCOMING EVENTSto benefit  SAVE THESE DATES
___________________ Tour de Palm SpringsFebruary 8, 2014 ____________________ Furry Friends Fashion ShowMarch 21, 2014 The Gardens in El Paseo ____________________ Milauskas Eye Institute
"Help a Puppy Become a Hero"
Golf Tournament
April 6, 2014 Terra Lago Golf Resort ____________________ A BUNCO AFTERNOONApril 6, 2014 Grand Terrace Lions Facility ______________________ Calimesa Golf TournamentMay 10, 2014 ______________________ Visit our Event Pageor call 760-329-6257 for more event details _________________________ Still need a 2014 calendar? Guide Dogs of the Desert
calendars are for sale.
Call 760-329-6257 to
purchase yours now!
Cost: $10.00 plus $2.25 shipping per calendar.  Thank you to Natural Balance for making our calendars possible!______________________
VISIT OUR PHOTO GALLERY 
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Receptionists: Wellness
Center/Kennel
Monday - Friday
Hours are flexible!!
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Volunteers needed to
help clean the kennels daily from 8am-12pm Please contact Jennifer at 760-329-7366 or email her at jpinder@gddca.org _____________________ Guide Dogs of the Desert would
like to thank its sponsors
for their support
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Guide Dogs of the Desert is a Lions California Multiple District Endorsed
project and an
approved Lions Club
International project.
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Puppy Raiser Corner
 Do you have a great little story about your puppy-in-training? Did he or she do something just too cute for words? Write it down and e-mail it to Shean Pao at spao@gddca.org.
It might be selected for a future edition of the newsletter. Please include a photo as well.
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We Walk As One
This says it all.
Photo by Bob Wendler
Director of Canine Development
Guide Dogs of the Desert
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Why guide dogs
are better than some animals for the blind
A humorous video for your entertainment
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Board of Directors
Bob Niez - Chair
Cynthia Woods - Vice Chair
Jim Klocek - Treasurer
Patricia Craine
Clark Hallren
Raymond McLean
Albert T. Milauskas, MD
Sha Newman
Leonard Sigdestad, DVM
Honorary Board Members
James Garner
Peter Marshall
Kit and Arnold Palmer
Dick Van Patten
Tom Sullivan
Betty White
Our Staff
Management Team
Sarah Clapp
Executive Director
Trina Began
Canine Development
Curt Bergeron
Finance, Facilities & Operations
Lori Miller
Breeding & Canine Development
Bob Wendler
Administration
Debbie Sloss-Coyle
Database Manager
Marjorie Griffith
Part-Time Admin. Assistant
Shean Pao
Creative Manager
Linda Samulski
Student Services
Jennifer Pinder
Kennel Manager
Angela Coleman
Cheri Duncan
Mike McCullough
Jacob Mosby
Licensed Guide Dog Mobility Instructors & Orientation
& Mobility Instructors
Emily Goodland
Michal Anna Padilla
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P.O. Box 1692
Palm Springs, CA 92263
Guide Dogs of the Desert
Training Facility
60-735 Dillon Road
Whitewater, CA 92282
Monday - Friday
8:30am - 4:30pm
Phone: 760-329-6257
Fax: 760-329-2866
Toll free: 888-883-0022
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Guide Dogs of the Desert A Box of Chocolates Campaign!
Help Guide Dogs of the Desert raise our goal of
$5,000.00
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We have a special offer for you this Valentine's Day
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Watch a special Valentine's Day message from Sarah Clapp,
Executive Director of
Guide Dogs of the Desert
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THE 16th ANNUAL TOUR DE PALM SPRINGS
 THE 16th ANNUAL TOUR de PALM SPRINGS is one of the finest charity cycling events in America! Over 10,000 bicyclists ride to support over 100 local charities in the Coachella Valley while being serenaded by over 25 bands & choirs of all types: Symphony, Jazz, Rock 'n Roll and Marching bands. There will be over 1,000 volunteers assisting you along the way.
Please use Promo Code GDD when you pre-register and Guide Dogs of the Desert will receive 100% of your registration fee.
Insert the Guide Dogs of the Desert's code in this box that says:
(If you are riding on behalf of a charity please enter their code below - Codes provided by the Charity) it is on the 2nd page after you fill in your credit card information near the bottom of the page.
DO NOT enter it in the "Promotion Code" box that is on the first page of the registration sheet since that is an entirely separate function.
SIGN UP TODAY:
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Milauskas Eye Institute Golf Tournament
Date: April 6, 2014
Time: 8:00 am
Location: Terra Lago Golf Resort
Call Barb Kovacs, at (760) 340-3937 for more information |
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A Bunco Afternoon!
April 6, 2014
Doors Open 1:30 pm
Begins 2:00 pm (Promptly)
Grand Terrace Lions Facility
22130 Barton Rd Grand Terrace, CA 92313
$20.00 Before April 1st
$25.00 after April 2nd
Information and tickets: Call Jim at (909) 215-7321
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A Sweet Box of Chocolates
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Trina's Tips
The month of February is a great excuse to purchase some chocolate. We all love our share of some extra treats around Valentines Day. Please remember that chocolate is toxic to our pets. Dogs have been known to sneak where they have never sneaked before. They will quickly grab a mouthful if available on a counter or low table. Depending on your dogs size and weight and the amount they consume will determine the amount of veterinarian attention they will need to receive. If your dog happens to ingest chocolate you should contact your veterinarian for advice. If you have children or grandchildren in the home, please watch that your pet does not ingest school projects or decorations that have been so carefully created. The glues, sequins and other decorations can be harmful if swallowed or lodged in your pet's mouth. Behavior problems in dogs can be directly related to a lack of training. To overcome the most common behavior problems in your pet or service dog, you should establish an obedience routine on a daily basis. Each dog, within your family should learn the basics. Come - Sit - Down - Stay - Stand - Heel, (on a loose leash) The stay command can be your most effective tool in teaching your dog self -control. By the time the dog reaches 6 months he/she should remain in a 1-minute sit/stay when requested. By the time the dog is 1 yr. of age he/she should have a 3-minute sit/stay. Build the amount of time gradually over a period of time. Try adding an additional 15 seconds at a tim  e.
Trina Began, Director of Canine Development
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Blind Portland woman's new guide dog
provides comfort and confidence
The Oregonian
 | | Sherrie and Blake |
About two months ago, Southwest Portland resident Sherrie Woods' world got a whole lot brighter - thanks to a fluffy male blue standard poodle named Blake.
Read the full article here
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VA-certified service dogs receive
unlimited access to veterinary care
The U.S. Veteran Service Dog Program and Trupanion will cover 100 percent of veterinary bills for eligible dogs.
The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), in conjunction with Trupanion, will launch the U.S. Veteran Service Dog Program Jan. 27. The program will allow U.S. veterans with certified service dogs unlimited access to veterinary care. The program enables Trupanion to pay 100 percent of veterans' certified service dogs' veterinary bills.
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How Dogs Can Help Veterans Overcome PTSD
New research finds that "man's best friend"
could be lifesavers for veterans of the
wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
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(Joseph Matthews, Veterans Affairs Photo)
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Robert Soliz, a 31-year-old former Army Specialist,
participated in one of four experimental programs
nationwide that pair veterans afflicted by PTSD
with Labrador and golden retrievers. |
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Lorna Luft Sings
"I See Through the Eyes of My Friend"
The song, "I See Through the Eyes of My Friend," was originally composed for the 2003 movie Stuck on You, starring Matt Damon and Greg Kinnear. In 2013, composer Irwin Rubinsky modified the lyrics to emphasize the unique bond between a blind person and their guide dog.
With the assistance of her producer/husband, Colin Freeman, Lorna Luft recorded the song which then debuted at the November 24, 2013 Guide Dogs of the Desert Graduation.
Lorna and Irwin have graciously given Guide Dogs of the Desert the full right to sell the song on its website - www.gddca.org - with all proceeds benefiting Guide Dogs of the Desert.
Click on the link below to download the song for $1.49! Lorna Luft Sings "I See Through the Eyes of My Friend" Lorna Luft is the daughter of Judy Garland and Sid Luft. She is an American television, stage, film actress and singer. She and her husband, Colin, reside in Rancho Mirage and are valued supporters and puppy raisers for Guide Dogs of the Desert.
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