From: Pete Donahue 
Subject: Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation
Fellow Federationists and friends,
Yesterday I received a message suggesting that my use of Fidelco's
programme as an example of an in-home training programme was
inappropriate.  Unfortunately this school is the only one that serves
blind people in a large geographic area.  There are however two other
schools with similar programmes.  They are: The Freedom Guide Dog
Foundation in Utica New York and The Upstate Guide Dog Users Association
ofRochester New York.  I have no information concerning the success or
failure of their programmes.  For a while I received Fidelco's Newsletter
and a number of Federationists have gotten Guide Dogs from them.  In fact,
I suggested that someone who contacted me privately with the same concerns
that I raised yesterdaycheck them out as she too does not want to have to
spend a month in a training center away from her home and her job.  If
any of you know what is happening with the two schools I named above let's
hear it, and as soon as we get our guide dog link on our chapter site
operating you will be able to follow the progress of The Guide Dog
Foundation of the Southwest.  This organization has enjoyed a favorible
report with the NFBT and with the community and with those whom it works
with.  So far it has conducted a puppy raising programme and is trying to
raise funding in order to hire a trainer and get it's training programme
up and running.  Just what kind of programme, in-residence or in-home
training has yet to be decided by them.  We will give you a window to
their activities via our chapter web site.
Take care until next time.
Yours truly,
Peter Donahue
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