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July 2014 - Executive Director Message
 | | Sarah Clapp and Hatch |
Independence Day. Our nation sets aside July 4th to honor and commemorate our country's independence. For over 235 years celebrations start at sunrise and extend way past sundown with fireworks displays, gatherings with family, friends, and community in appreciation of the independence we all enjoy. It is truly a special day for our country. We, at Guide Dogs of the Desert, are especially grateful to those currently serving in our armed forces, and veterans of past service, to maintaining our independence.
Independence Day is also the culmination of four weeks of intense, custom training with a specially selected service guide dog and the graduate of Guide Dogs of the Desert crosses the stage with their new companion. The client so often include in their remarks, "I now have the independence to go wherever I need to go with my guide . . .
I won't be limited with the cane anymore. It is truly a great sense of freedom!"
Because of your generous support, you made Independence Day possible for 25 client/guide dogs teams this year. And your ongoing generosity will continue to sustain the mission of providing custom trained guide dogs for the blind, and those with special needs, for safe mobility, companionship and independence. You are Guide Dogs of the Desert cause for celebration!
Happy 4th of July!!!
Sarah Clapp
Executive Director
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UPCOMING EVENTS
to benefit
 SAVE THESE DATES
Tarah Jade Shopping Event
July 5, 2014
5:00-7:00pm Tarah Jade Clothing Boutique
78-065 Main Street La Quinta, CA _____________________
Johnny Rockets Fund-Raiser
Thursday, July 17th, 2014
12:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Johnny Rockets - Rancho Mirage
71885 Hwy 111 (Across from the River)
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Summer Fling!
August 16, 2014
5:30 pm - Happy Hour
6:45 pm - Dinner
Guide Dogs of the Desert
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Arrowhead Chico's Shopping Day
August 27, 2014
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
67th Ave. and 101 Freeway Arrowhead, Arizona
______________________ or call 760-329-6257
for more event details
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WE HAVE PUPPIES!
 We have been blessed this month with puppy madness! Here are our latest litters - more on the way!
Thank you to Annie Poy, volunteer, puppy raiser and photographer, for these great shots.
View Photos Here |
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Receptionists: Wellness
Center/Kennel
Monday - FridayHours 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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Guide Dogs of the Desert
Sponsorship Opportunities
Would you like to know about our sponsorship opportunities? Please Click Here for more information! |
Guide Dogs of the Desert
Partners with Custom
Canines Service Dog Academy
For PTS, autism and medical alert training and placement.
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Receptionists needed!
We are in need of receptionists! Do you have a few hours one day a week during the summer where you can help us out by answering phones? Please contact Curt Bergeron at 760-329-6257 and let us know if you can help!
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Board of Directors
Albert T. Milauskas, MD - Chair
Leonard Sigdestad, DVM - Vice Chair
Cynthia Woods - Secretary
Clark Hallren - Treasurer
Patricia Craine
Phil Dombrowski
Jim Klocek
Raymond McLean
Sha Newman
Bob Niez
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
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 is pleased to announce the election of the following officers of the Board
Chairman Albert Milauskas, M.D.
Vice Chairman Leonard Sigdestad, D.V.M.
Secretary Cynthia Woods
Treasurer Clark Hallren
Dr. Albert T. Milauskas, serving his second term on the Board, is a long-time desert resident. He graduated with an MD from Wayne State University college of Medicine in Detroit Michigan and did his internship at Oakwood Hospital and his residency at the Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, at the John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and the US Veterans Hospital, in Fort Howard, Maryland. He is a member of 8 Societies including Research to Prevent Blindness.
Dr. Milauskas and his wife, Dorothy, founded the Milauskas Eye Institute to provide the highest quality of eye care to its patients. It has become the premier eye care practice in the Coachella Valley.
In addition to serving on the Board, he and his wife, Dorothy, actively support Guide Dogs of the Desert as puppy sponsors, and host the Milauskas Eye Institute/Heroes Golf Tournament, benefiting the organization.
Veterinarian, Leonard Sigdestad, also beginning his second term on the Board, has a passion for guide dogs. He has sponsored puppies and provides Veterinary Service for Guide Dogs.
He established Loma Linda Animal Hospital, San Bernardino, CA in 1968. He is an active member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, California Veterinary Medical Association, Southern California Veterinary Medical Association, Orange Belt Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Avian Practitioners. He has been involved in research and development of new drugs where he has performed field studies for pharmaceutical companies on more than 400 cases.
Dr. Sigdestad is also very active in his community: a member of the Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce, a charter member of the Loma Linda Kiwanis Club, where he has served as president and is currently on the board of directors. He was named Lion of the Year for 2009-2010. In 2011, he received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award for dedicated humanitarian services. Dr. Sigdestad has also served as director of Toro Pacific and Irrigation, Market Place Ministry, Regional Occupational Center and as an adviser to Colton Vocational School.
Cynthia Woods is a four-time graduate of Guide Dogs of the Desert. She earned her Masters of Arts in Vision Rehabilitation therapy from Western Michigan University and she is certified by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education professionals.
Cynthia works as a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist at the Foundation for Blind Children in Phoenix, Arizona, where she teaches braille, orientation and adjustment to disability, and assistive technology to adults who are blind or visually impaired. She is also a member of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired.
P. Clark Hallren relocated to the Coachella Valley in 2012 from Los Angeles, Ca, where he served 23 years as Managing Director, Entertainment Industries Group, for JP Morgan Securities, Inc. He joined the Guide Dogs of the Desert Board in August 2013, along with serving on the FIND Board, as a way to get immediately immersed in the community and giving back.
Clark is independently employed as a Business Advisory and Real Estate consultant, and he is the exclusive affiliate and Luxury Real Estate Specialist with Christie's International Real Estate.
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Guide Dogs of the Desert Employee Feature
Angela Coleman
 | | Angela Coleman |
Since January 2012, many puppies and dogs have been cared for, and in good hands, with Veterinary Assistant and Kennel Technician Angela (Angel) Coleman-Anderson. "I am so pleased I was able to participate in the opening of the Wellness Center on campus," states Angela. "Seeing the potential of the services we would be providing through the Center, I knew I wanted to participate in the medical well-being of our dogs."
Angela is currently enrolled in the Penn Fosters Veterinary Technician program, funded by the Frank M. and Gertrude Doyle Foundation. She is approaching the halfway point of completing her first practicum. "Currently, I am able to assist in medical procedures and surgeries," Angela reports. "I get to monitor recoveries and hold paws when our pups are sick. My projected graduation date is at the end of 2016 on the accelerated learning plan at school. Being a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) will provide Guide Dogs of the Desert with a licensed veterinary technician, who can be on call 24 hours a day."
Coleman-Anderson is looking forward to also utilizing her RVT license to rehabilitating and repopulating wolves in her spare time. Speaking of spare time - during Angela's "off time" she is a proud Mom of six children, ranging in age from 5-21.
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Graduate Spotlight
 | | Janet and John |
Janet Ray resides in Cape Coral, Florida. Her guide, John, is a male blue Standard Poodle, born on November 6, 2011.
Allergic to dogs, Janet waited 10 years for a Standard Poodle Guide Dog. Her guide, John, has become a buddy and best friend.
"This is a wonderful place. Everyone is so kind, so thoughtful - even designating a specific "poodle only"
area, mindful of my allergy. And the trainers - well they are the very best."
Janet shared that her biggest challenge will be her group of friends back home who have always been eager to assist her. "This will be a big adjustment for them. I am going to have a meeting when John and I get home, so they understand John and how this all works." - Janet Ray
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Trina's July Tips4 Critical Commands that
Can Save Your Dog's LifeBy PetMD
Training a dog is a challenge, especially since it needs to be practiced every single day. It also needs to be consistent, meaning the same response or non-response every time. But training is worth the trouble when you find that your hard work has paid off at the sidewalk café, at the park, when a guest comes to visit, and in your daily interactions with your dog. Training goes beyond the pride of having a good dog. Training can also save your dog's life.
As we often remind our readers, knowing and practicing these behaviors can mean the difference between life and death. Here are some key commands that should be practiced every day - for life - and that all dogs should know and respond appropriately to every time.
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Special Summer Needs
Help keep our puppies and dogs happy and healthy this summer. Below is a list of specific needs from our Kennel Department and Breeding Center. Your thoughtfulness and generosity are appreciated.
Kong toys - $12.99 each. Quantity needed: 20
Pawprint Crate Mats (42"x28") - $32.99 each.
Quantity needed: 20
NuRange Shade Sail from Valley Patios. (Outside Puppy Den Shade Cloth) - $3,284. each. Quantity needed. 1
(We have a $1,500 commitment - will you match their gift?)
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We need more durable crates for our Breeding Center
Deluxe Full tread Aluminum Dog Crates with Rubber Mats
- $1,375.00 (with shipping and tax). Quantity needed (8).
Please call Curt to underwrite one of or part of the following:
Kool Fog Misting System - $5,000. Quantity needed: 1
Troy Bilt 2800-PSI Gas Pressure Washer with Briggs and Stratton Engine - $319.00. Quantity needed: 2 A special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Cutner and Liz Halperin for our Master Blaster Air Dryers!
Thank you to Vicki Shepard, Bob Niez and Penny Belger for donating to our Wellness Center needs.
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Photos for Guide Dogs of the Desert 2015 Calendar
WE NEED YOUR PHOTOS!
Once again we encourage you to send in your photos for consideration in the 2015 Guide Dogs of the Desert Calendar!
Don't wait. We are working on it now. Our Deadline is July 16, 2014
Please send your high-resolution photos of puppies in training. Be sure to keep the focus on the eye's of the puppies to produce the sharpest image. Photos should be horizontal. Set your camera at the highest resolution possible. Please send them to Shean at spao@gddca.org.
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Spaghetti Dinner to benefit
Guide Dogs of the Desert
Come enjoy a pasta dinner and support Guide Dogs of the Desert.
20% of your bill will be donated to GDD. Dine in and Take Out.
When:
Tuesday, July 15, 2014, at 4pm-9pm
Where:
Vince's Spaghetti 8241 Foothill Blvd
Rancho Cucamonga CA 91730 (909) 981-1003
Sponsored by Guide Dogs of the Desert Founder's Club
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 Johnny Rockets is having a fund-raiser for Guide Dogs of the Desert.
Thursday, July 17th, 2014
12:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Johnny Rockets -
Rancho Mirage 71885 Hwy 111 (Across from the River)
15% of all purchases will go to Guide Dogs of the Desert
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CHICO'S SHOPPING DAY!
Glendale, Arizona
 Arrowhead Chico's in Glendale, Arizona is having a special shopping day fundraiser to benefit Guide Dogs of the Desert.
August 27, 2014
11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Arrowhead Chico's
20022 N 67th Avenue,
Glendale, Arizona 85308
(67th and 101 Freeway)
Join us for a terrific shopping day in August. Chico's will be donating 10% from their sales to Guide Dogs of the Desert. Shop the latest in women's designer fashion and clothing. Chico's carries full lines of jackets, tops, pants, jeans, dresses, skirts and accessories. When purchasing, be sure to let your sales associate know you are there for the Guide Dogs of the Desert shopping event.
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