A remarkable and wonderful journey: Client letter to Fidelco.
Dear Fidelco Family, My journey over the last 55 years has been both remarkable and wonderful. It started in 1965 when I received my first guide dog. In 1983, when I was ready to get my third dog, a friend told me about Fidelco. I knew I wanted another German Shepherd which could not be…
Covering a lot of ground together.
Since 1960, more than 1,500 Fidelco guide dog teams have journeyed through life together. Our clients often tell us how profoundly their guide dogs have impacted their lives. But the mark they leave on all they encounter is equally powerful. We are privileged to witness their triumphs and challenges. Many of our clients return for…
Home away from home.
Fidelco’s kennel, affectionately known as “Hotel Fidelco,” is a warm and welcoming place for dogs-intraining. Fidelco puppies, raised in the loving homes of volunteer Puppy Raisers, return to Fidelco twice— at 6 months and again at 12 months—before coming back for formal training. This gradual kennel transition makes it much easier for our dogs to…
Fidelco: Always moving forward.
1960s In the 1960s, the Kamans were breeding German Shepherds in their home kennel, placing them with Puppy Raisers, and then donating them to other guide dog schools for training. At that time, “force-based” methods (known as traditional methods) were the most common way for trainers to encourage dogs to perform. Very little, if any,…
Puppy Raising 101
WHO Anyone can apply to become a Volunteer Puppy Raiser. Applicants complete an online application, agree to a background check, attend our “Insights” orientation class, and receive a home visit by a member of our puppy raising staff. WHAT Give a puppy a loving home. While raising a pup, you and the pup attend Saturday…
Caring is our calling.
The day begins early for Fidelco’s Vet-Med staff, and remains fast-paced throughout, while the three-member team performs medical procedures that keep our dogs healthy. This cohesive, committed team provides the highest quality of patient care every day. A member of Fidelco’s development department had the opportunity to “shadow” the team during a typical day. The…
Where the journey begins.
When asked about the new line of German Shepherd dogs that would become Fidelco’s breed stock, Robbie Kaman said: “There was an unmistakable, intangible character to these dogs from herding lines. Their dedication to the job, and willingness to work with and for their handler were their high points.” These traits that Robbie identified more…
Brad S.
Lt. Brad S. was blinded while serving as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officer with a Naval SEAL Team in Afghanistan. After he lost his vision, Brad shares, “I was hungry for the opportunity to prove this idea that I’m not a victim. I wanted to show I’m not suffering, I’m adapting. I’m struggling a…
Karen P.
Karen P. is a powerhouse in the power center of America. She is co-founder and managing partner of Federal Financial Analytics, a Washington, D.C. consulting firm specializing in domestic and international financial services regulation. It’s not unusual to see Karen moving swiftly through the halls of Congress or attending meetings at the White House. She is…
Lina C.
When Lina C. was just a baby, her parents traveled from Colombia to the United States seeking treatment for the retinoblastoma that had spread to both of her eyes. Doctors saved her life, but Lina’s resulting blindness kept the family in the United States where they knew their daughter would have access to resources that…