FREEDOM FORUM

Volume 1 Issue 14

"Hometown Training"

Summer 2001

Freedom Guide Dogs
1210 Hardscrabble Road
Cassville New York 13318
(315) 822-5132
E -mail Freedomdog@juno.com

Author Travels with a Gem

“My Jasper is a living, loving jewel,” says Barbara Michel of Clarion County, Pennsylvania.As the Author of four published novels and numerous articles, she finds her Freedom Guide dog a great help. At premiers for a new book and autographing parties, she leaves a sweater or Jacket on the back of her chair and mingles with the guest. When she wishes to return to sign a novel, she tells Jasper to find her coat. They zip back to the autograph table. She says this gives her a wonderful sense of freedom.

Michel says she was thankful to find Freedom Guide Dogs. She was behind schedule on completing a book the publisher was waiting for and could not take the time to go away to train with a dog. Eric Loori, of Freedom Guide dogs, brought Jasper to Hawthorn to train with Michel. Jasper curls up under the computer desk and rests his head on her feet. “Otherwise,” she says, ”he follows me about the house. I tell him that’s fair, because outside, I follow him.”

Michel says her husband is available and willing to take her places; however, four years ago he had a bout with cancer. It encouraged her to consider the problems she could face if she suddenly found herself alone. Thus, she planned to get a guide dog. Soon after, Jasper came into her life.

In larger towns, jasper delights in guiding her through busy traffic and around obstacles.

In their small town, Jasper easily adapted to walking along the left side of the streets. There are no sidewalks, but if Michel tells him to find the curb, he stops where it would be. Her church is two blocks away, the post office two blocks in another direction. After a couple trips, he knew what was expected of him. He does his job well. On walks about town, he knows it’s time to turn back when Michel tells him, ”We’re going home, boy."

The freedom to attend church without having to engage the aid of another person elates Michel. Jasper takes her to the Sunday School room, back and forth to the choir loft, and when she sings a solo or speaks, he has learned the word “pulpit” and takes her to the microphone.

Last summer, Michel received a scholarship to attend a six day writers conference at Geneva College. After the first day, Jasper recognized the words, “sky lodge,” the building in which services and most of the lectures Michel attended were held. The third time she needed to go to the dorm, she told him to find “home.” He not only took her to the right entrance, he stopped at the door of her room.

Michel took first place in the fiction contest, and Jasper won an award for the “Most Perfect Conferee.” It was a wonderful experience for both author and dog. The conference director said, “The two of you make perfect dancing partners who create their own choreography.”

Jasper loves shopping. The only problem is people who want to pet him. Shopping takes longer, because individuals stop to ask questions concerning her spectacular canine companion. Michel says this is a good time to introduce Freedom Guide Dogs.

One of Jasper’s favorite responsibilities is when Michel is invited to schools to speak with students about her writing and about guide dogs. Although Jasper loves children, he smoothly guides her through crowded hallways to the classroom where she’s to speak. He waits patiently, then his tail thumps a joyous rhythm as he receives pats and hugs.

Jasper does wonders on forest trails. Michel says it is a pleasure to be able to tramp through a woods without holding someone’s arm. Cook Forest trails have myriad’s of rocks and tree roots, making the twisting paths rough and filled with obstacles. The more complicated the situation, the happier Jasper is. Through many miles of hiking, he has never let Michel trip, and he easily retraces their steps back to the camping or picnic areas.

When the family is camping, they go for walks and circle several loops on the campground. Jasper remembers in which loop their site is located. This didn’t surprise Michel, but she said she’s astounded that he recognizes their camper and takes her directly to the door.

There are many more instances of where Jasper has been a great help. Michel says, “All in all, he gives me a phenomenal sense of freedom and brings much love and joy into the family. Many thanks to Freedom Guide Dogs for training magnificent canine guides like Jasper.”

Lions Journey For Sight
Each year, in May, the Sauquoit Valley Lions Club invites Freedom Guide Dogs to share in their Journey for Sight, a walk-a-thon held locally in conjunction with other Lions Clubs in the area. This year we had the honor of winning first prize for the most money earned for one organization.
Pictured are Debbie Pfranger with Freedom’s Otis and Joy Betz with Freedom’s Ebony. They are holding the giant trophy presented on that day.

New Kennel Fund
Our new kennel fund is beginning to grow!!,We have received a $20,000 operating grant from The Bannerot-Lappe Foundation. Of this we put $3,000 into our kennel fund as seed money. We have also received a $10,000 grant from the St. Margaret’s Church, Westminster Parish in Maryland. There have also been several personal donations from individuals. Our total fund now stands at $13,304. Though we still have a ways to go to fill the dog biscuit we are elated with the progress that has been made.

Eagle Scout Project

Each year we try to make improvements to the facility, which enhance the facility, as well as, making less work for us. This year we have a young man looking to finish his requirements for an Eagle Scout award. We need a storage building built, as our old shed is beyond repair as well as being to small.Work on this project will begin soon, being finished in July. We are very thankful for the help in the construction of this building, as well as the help that the many volunteers give us throughout the year!!

Give A Gift Of Independence

Your contribution to Freedom Guide Dogs means someone’s freedom. All funds are applied to provide highly trained guide dogs to men and women who are blind. There is no charge to the client for the trained guide, or the equipment that is placed with the guide. Freedom Guide Dogs is a 501(c)(3), non for profit charity that does not receive any funding from the government, or insurance. Your contribution will go a long ways in helping us continue to serve the blind through our “Hometown Training”.

A copy of our latest annual report may be obtained, upon request, from Freedom Guide Dogs, or The Office of the Attorney General, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, New York 10271.