What's Happening

Thank you for making Dealin' for Dogs such a success!
Assistance Dogs of America, Inc. was dealt a royal flush at the third annual Dealin’ for Dogs. Over $30,000 was raised at the fundraising event on Saturday, August 23, 2008. Throughout the evening, approximately 400 guests enjoyed playing poker and black jack by Impact Fun, eating City-Q-Barbeque and listening to the music of Jeff Stewart and DJ Don Rawlins. A few lucky guests had the opportunity to play black jack with celebrity dealers, Melissa Voetsch and Jerry Anderson. Jerry also stepped in as auctioneer to help with our seven big ticket items, including a trip to Orlando and a beautiful necklace from C. Sterling Jewelers. 
 
Dog lovers cuddled two puppies in training, which arrived at the event as “Puppy #1” and “Puppy #2.” The teams of the Dog Race and the high rollers at the tables competed for the opportunity to name the puppies. Guests formed teams and chose a dog jockey to compete in the Dog Race. The six jockeys lined up with a dog puppet on one hand and waited for the spin of a wheel to show how many spaces to race ahead. The team known as “The Bar,” referring to the volunteers serving drinks, cheered as their Chihuahua, held by jockey, Frances Jagielski crossed the finish line first.   The Bar appropriately named the puppy Brewster. At the end of the night, Joe McGowan won the right to name Brodie with $62,000 in chips. To round out the evening, guests eagerly waited for their names to be drawn for raffle prizes, bid on silent auction items and supported their favorite charity of the night, Assistance Dogs of America, Inc.
 
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:
 
Hanson, Inc.
Therma Tru
 
American Elevator Co.
Fire Tech Sprinkler, Inc.
Franklin Park Vision
Hansons Windows and Siding
Impact Fun
Mercy Heath Partners
Sam’s Club
Welch Publishing
 
A-W Insurance
Critical Business Analysis, Inc.
Invisible Fence
ISCG
Owens-Illinois, Inc.
Payak-Dubbs Insurance
Promedica Health System
Sharon Quattlebaum
Linda K. Recker, LLC
Rudolph/Libbe
Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, Inc.
Universal Metals
WTOL - 11
  
Congratulations to our recent graduates!
Assistance Dogs hosted its Spring 2008 graduation on Thursday, April 10 at Parkway Plaza in Maumee, OH. After two years of training these dogs are prepared to be service and therapy dogs for individuals with disabilities.
 
Seana Beavers lives in Toledo, Ohio and enjoys watching TV and talking on the phone. She also loves to sing songs about her new service dog, Rosie. Rosie is the first standard poodle that we have placed as a service dog and Seana loves explaining just how special Rosie is. Seana is special too. She said that her condition, lumbosacral agenesis, is just a long word for no legs and part of a spine. She is looking forward to Rosie giving her company at her home and giving her a reason to smile in the morning.  Rosie is a two year old, standard apricot poodle who was donated by previous owner, Annette Coker in November 2007. Kim Hanson and son Jake Lenz of Toledo, Ohio fostered Rosie from July, 2006 to January, 2008 with temporary help from Jenny Jacobs and family in June to August of 2007.
 
Samantha Laux is an 18-year-old college student at Wright State University, where she is majoring in social work. She loves reading, making cards and participating in Quiet Love, a sign language ministry where the members sing in sign language. When she’s not at school, she lives with her mom and dad, Gail and Chris, and her sister, Sarah, in Bellville, Ohio. Samantha has experienced hearing loss, vision impairment and decreased balance due to Neurofibromatosis type 2.  Samantha was matched with Dylan and she says that she has become more fearful because of her loss of hearing and sight but having Dylan at her side makes her feel safer.  Dylan is a golden retriever, who was donated by a breeder, Shirley Feltt. Dylan was Deb Kelly’s first trainee and she is now fostering a yellow Labrador retriever named Sammy.
 
Jane Zbierajewski lives in Oregon, Ohio and though she lives alone, she has a large family with whom she loves spending time with. She retired from Toledo Public Schools five years ago and now helps with Sunday school at her church. She enjoys reading, knitting, water aerobics and playing practical jokes on the ADAI staff.  Jane has Cerebral Palsy. She was matched with her service dog, Carson, and said she is so happy because she has regained her independence. She could no longer go anywhere by herself because she could not lift her walker. Carson now makes it possible for her to go anywhere she wants.  Carson is a golden retriever, who was donated by Roy Hayes. His first year of training was spent in the Toledo Correctional Institute with inmate trainer, Joe Nabinger. Carson went on furlough with Judy Holdridge during his first year and he was fostered by Sue and Alicia Rakes in his second year.  Jane said, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the people making the rest of Carson and my life together possible. Words can never describe the gratitude I have for each of you, My Angels is Disguise!”  
  
Linda Zehner lives in Akron, Ohio with her husband, Tom, her retired service dog, Tucker, and two cats. She enjoys sewing, painting and looks forward to gardening now that she has been matched with her successor service dog, Jay.  Jay is a yellow Labrador retriever, who was donated by a breeder, Laura McNeilan. Jay’s first year of training was spent in ToCI with inmate trainer, Timothy Riley. He went on furlough with Ann Studer and family during his first year. Karen, Kevin, Michael and Ethan Edwards fostered Jay his second year.   Linda suffered a spinal cord and neck injury that has left her with impaired balance. She knows from experience that she will have much more freedom now. Linda said, “ Thank you so much for Jay. He will be my best friend and companion from now on.”
 
Facility therapy dog, Lily, was matched with the Sunset Retirement House. Lily is a black Labrador retriever mix, who was donated by the Ohio Wags prison program in Cleveland, Ohio in February 2007. Nathalie and Clyde Givens of Perrysburg, Ohio fostered until January 2008.  Lily has taken up residence with plenty of people to visit every day. Lynda Brune, Resident Services Director, said Lily will help combat loneliness by providing companionship to the residents at Sunset House. Lily will also offer the opportunity for residents to care for her in various ways, decreasing their feelings of helplessness and boredom. After spending time with Lily, some memory impaired residents have begun to communicate better. Much joy is seen on their faces, bringing back memories of the dogs they loved and took care of many years ago. Attending the training from Sunset House were Lynda Brune, Cheryl Goldberg, Sara Wunderlin and Irina Eisenmann.
 
Jewels, the school therapy dog from Jefferson Elementary and Chamberlin Hill Intermediate Schools in Findlay, Ohio returned with Karlene Weiss and Ginger O’C onnell for continued training. Assistance Dogs require all staff members who want to work with a therapy dog to complete team training. Now Jewels can do her good work in Karlene’s preschool class and Ginger’s MH classes.  Jewels is a two and a half year old, yellow Labrador retriever, who was donated by breeder, Susan Seitz of Rockville, Indiana in December 2005. Chris and Dave Diefenthaler were Jewels’ puppy raisers. Karen and Greg Bade, with the help of Arlington Elementary students, fostered Jewels until August 2007.  
 
Asher Nikolajevs lives in Berlin Heights, Ohio with his parents, Vic and Leisa, and his brother, Sam. Asher is a student at Berlin Heights Elementary and loves trains, animals, butterflies and listening to stories. His family lovingly refers to him as “ nature boy” because he loves the outdoors. Asher has a condition that has caused him to become visually impaired and due to his blindness he likes a lot of companionship. After team training in March, Asher received therapy dog Gracie. His parents hope that Gracie can provide that companionship for him. They also hope Gracie will provide him with continued comfort and security.
  
Gracie is a two and a half year old, Labrador and golden retriever mix, who was donated by Jennifer Micham of Sylvania, Ohio in September 2005.  The Griffeth family, Darien, Shilah, Paige and Nadia, of Columbus, Ohio were Gracie’s puppy raisers until October 2006.  Gracie was fostered by Helen Guilford of Wauseon, Ohio for her second year of training.