Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation’s summer program is designed for the dog lover! Children learn about Fidelco’s German Shepherd guide dogs – their development, training, and the amazing partnerships our guide dogs have with men and women who are blind. Participants will experience working with a guide dog as someone who is blind by participating in blindfold walks, and learning about the everyday challenges that people with visual impairments may face.

Children will also learn about other breeds and their origins, canine development, puppy raising, basic dog training, health care, grooming and first aid. They will work in our kennel, assisting with feeding and cleaning to help them understand the responsibility of dog ownership. Other topics of discussion include but are not limited to: anti-drug messaging, canine jobs outside of “guide dog” work, dog-related career opportunities for humans, and more!

Yes, our program is hands-on and your child will work with dogs and puppies (puppies are 8 weeks to 1 year of age). There are two ambassador cats on campus and the child may be in contact with their dander.

Each program is 4 hours per day for one week from mid July to mid August. The morning session is held from 8 am to noon and the afternoon session is held from 12:30 to 4:30 pm. The doors will remain closed between sessions to allow for set up and breaks between sessions.

Due to the State of Connecticut program regulations, children are only allowed to stay for a half day.

Child range is from 8 to 11 years old.

Children age 15 or older (by June 1, 2022) can volunteer as program helpers based on need. The role of Counselor in Training (CIT), a volunteer assistant, is extremely important and requires only the very serious to apply. Training is provided.

Apply to be a CIT!

Each session has a maximum of 16 children.

Most parents do not stay with their children; however, if your child has a special need or is more comfortable with you there, you are welcome to stay.

The majority of the program is held indoors in our air conditioned Training Center at the Bloomfield campus with occasional brief outdoor activities.

We encourage all children to bring a snack and a drink. Each day, there will be an activity associated with their snack so we ask that the child not be informed of what is being packed for them.

Daily, the child should bring a bag or a backpack. This bag will be labeled with your child’s name upon arrival. In addition to including their “secret” daily snack and beverage, the bag should also include a pair of sneakers, a change of clothes and a towel (sometimes they get wet!)

Transportation is not provided.

Your child will only be released to the Parent/Guardian, Emergency Contact, or the Authorized individuals designated on your child’s registration application. Please inform those you’ve designated to be prepared to show photo identification at time of pick up – EACH DAY. This is to ensure the child’s safety and your peace of mind.

We do not have designated staff or volunteers on hand to accommodate late pick ups. Please ensure that your child is picked up promptly at the scheduled close of each session. We do not need to be notified of who will be dropping your child off.

Fidelco follows all CDC COVID-19 guidelines. 

All children attending Dog Days of Summer must have completed two vaccinations two weeks prior to attending their session. 

Mask usage will be determined by the CDC guidelines during that time frame. 

There will be no more than 16 children allowed in each session to allow proper social distancing when indoors.

Please contact our event manager Gianna at gpanullo@fidelco.org.