International Guide Dog Day

For Immediate Release

 

April 26, 2017

 

Media Contact Annie Chiappetta, President, Guide Dog Users of the Empire State president@gdues.org

914-295-0450

 

Becky Davidson, Guiding Eyes for the Blind 914-243-2210

 

Westchester County Executive Astorino Proclaims a Special Day for Guide Dogs

White Plains, NY – April 26, 2017 – Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino met with guide dog  users and advocates in recognition of International Guide Dog Day. Guiding Eyes for the Blind and Westchester Council of the Blind received proclamations from Mr. Astorino in honor of International Guide Dog Day.

 

.  The president of Guide Dog Users of the Empire State and the Director of the Office for People with Disabilities for Westchester County were also present, joined by a County employee who is a guide dog user and two other guide dog teams, also Westchester residents.

 

International Guide Dog day was instituted in 1989 to commemorate the formation of the International Guide Dog Federation and is recognized worldwide on the last Wednesday of April.

 

Additionally, throughout the day on April 26, the video screen at the Westchester County Center will be flashing an announcement and New York State offices in other counties will be turning the building lights blue and white to support guide dogs.

“We want to thank Westchester County for helping us recognize just how special our dogs are,” says Annie Chiappetta, President of Guide Dog Users of the Empire State.

Ms. Chiappetta goes on to say that anyone can help celebrate by supporting   activities and charity drives in your area that donate to local guide dog schools, like Guiding Eyes for the Blind, or organizations that support breeding, training and matching guide dogs with visually impaired individuals.

Becky Davidson, Manager of Consumer Outreach and Graduate Support for Guiding Eyes for the Blind concurs, “Our lives would not be the same without them,”

For more information on Guiding Eyes for the Blind, go to www.guidingeyes.org

For more information about Guide Dog Users of the Empire State, go to www.gdues.org/

For more information about the International Guide Dog Federation, go to https://www.igdf.org.uk/

For more information on the Westchester council of the Blind, go to: www.wcbny.org/

 

 

 

Kaiser Campaign

What does making craft beer and   supporting guide dogs have in common?    Hmm, still thinking? Dog treats, of course.

Thanks to a retired guide dog, his former partner and a puppy raiser, we found a New York based dog treat maker who wants to help us by donating up to 40% of treat sales back to GDUES.

We are naming this first online endeavor the Kaiser Campaign, after the big, gentle Labrador who loves these treats, Kaiser and for all he symbolizes in the spirit of guide dogs

Hungry Hound Beerscuits are made with fresh, human grade ingredients like barley, pumpkin, eggs, and peanut butter and baked to a yummy crunch.

Click here to read about this unique and delicious dog treat made by Hungry Hound Beerscuits LLC

www.beergraintreats.com

In order for Guide Dog Users of the Empire State to receive a donation from an online sale, you must enter the online code GDUES in the form before check out. Please share this fundraiser with everyone you know. Thanks to the folks at Hungry Hound for making this fundraiser possible and visit www.gdues.org to read about how we advocate for and support guide dog teams in New York or to

Follow and like us on Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/gu8okba

New Guide Dog Users Group Joins American Council of the Blind of New York

For Immediate Release

Contact Lori Scharff, President, American Council of the Blind of New York, Inc. 516-695-6370 lorischarff@gmail.com

 

Annie Chiappetta, President, Guide Dog Users of the Empire State,  914-393-6605

anniecms64@gmail.com

 

New Guide Dog Users Group Joins American Council of the Blind of New York

Malverne, NY — February 23, 2016, a new chapter of the ACB of New York was granted  a charter.  Guide Dog Users of the Empire State (GDUES) numbering twenty three members, becomes the ninth regional special interest chapter of the American Council of the Blind of New York. GDUES is the first guide dog user’s chapter in New York  to be chartered since another group separated from the State affiliate many years ago.

“This is an exciting time for us. GDUES will fill a much needed voice at the State level,” says Annie Chiappetta, the chapter president.

 

Chiappetta hopes the new chapter can work on recent imposter service dog issues and legislation and become a support for guide dog users throughout the State.   Guide dog users often face access issues and other barriers despite Federal laws protecting them from such discrimination.

 

Chiappetta says that a website will be launched in late April and the group’s Facebook page is already active.

 

To find out more about the American Council of the Blind of New York, go to: www.acbny.org

 

To view the GDUES Facebook page, click here!