Episode Notes

November 2017, life changed in the most amazing way! I went to Smithtown, Long Island and was matched with my first guide dog. Boaty is a phenomenal Black Lab who is not only my guide but the best thing that has happened in my life. The Guide Dog Foundation who turns 75 this year was the school who gave a shot to a guy who had less than 2 years independent mobility but who’s very life hinged on a successful match. Fast forward these 3 years and I have such appreciation for the school that helped me really grab life and pull myself back to a life that is full and productive. I have tremendous respect for the process and all of the schools and thousands of people who work so hard to make these programs successful. This week I want to deep dive into the first 2 years of a guide dog life!!

Eric and Holly have raised 4 amazing dogs starting with Boaty. When I stepped onto the campus in Long Island I could never have imagined that I would become a member of another amazing family. Join Sunday Edition as we welcome Eric, Holly and Nancy.

Nancy is the person Holly and Eric’s second guide went to. She has become a sister of sorts being the human who loves and is in care of one of the dogs Holly and Eric have raised. We are a family unto ourselves and I am happy to welcome  them and share their parts of the process. 
Lauren Berglund graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Child, Adult, Family Services. She has past experience in higher education disability services and vocational rehabilitation services. Lauren is the Consumer Relations Coordinator at the Guide Dog Foundation and America’s Vetdogs, sister non-profit organizations that place guide and service dogs with veterans, first responders, and individuals who are blind or have other disabilities. The Guide Dog Foundation and America’s Vetdogs were the first assistance dog programs in the United States to be dually accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International.

Through her position Lauren empowers program graduates and applicants through a combination of strong multi-channel direct phone support and referral services, creation of high value and informative content, and engaging in strategic public outreach and education efforts to key stakeholder originations.
 
Douglas Wiggin is the Field Rep for the Guide Dog Foundation. The area he primarily works is the New England area, as well as Florida, Mississippi, and Part of Canada. He has been with the Foundation for 31 years. He has lived in Maine for almost 14 years now. He was a resident instructor for about 16 years and now a field rep for about 15 years. As a Field Rep parts of his are Interviews, aftercare, home placements, residential placements, agency visits, and re certification of our Vet dogs.
 
So we will spend the first hour of Sunday Edition going thru the life of a Guide Dog from birth to the successful matching and growing as a team. 

Then I speak to Donna Brown who is a dynamic Board Member and a wonderful ACB advocate and friend. We will get to know her and her journey to the Board. 

Lastly Leslie Spoone will preview the Holiday Auction, enticing with some of the goodies on the auction block and her work making yoga available to our members virtually. 

Sunday Edition airs on ACB Radio Mainstream at 1pm eastern and can be found on all major podcast catchers by searching : ACB Sunday Edition

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