***PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

Congratulations Guide Dog Users of Arizona!! We did it! GDUA is now an official affiliate of Guide Dog Users Inc. Thanks to the hard work of our founding members, GDUA is now a leading consumer and advocacy organization of people with visual impairments using guide dogs in the state of Arizona!

On behalf of GDUA, I wish to extend a special thanks to The Arizona Council of the Blind for their warm welcome and repeated efforts of support. AzCB generously provided time and space at their spring convention whereupon GDUA members were able to gather together for our first meeting of our general membership. The board of AzCB has also agreed to make a very generous donation to GDUA for "seed" money. GDUA deeply appreciates the support and generosity of AzCB and we look forward to working in cooperation with such a caring and sincere organization.

Our first order of business, supported unanimously by AzCB, will be to tackle the issue of protection for dog guides against attack. As the current president of our special affiliate, Guide Dog Users of Arizona, and a board member of the national organization, Guide Dog Users Inc., I am saddened to report that we have been receiving an increasing number of reported incidents involving dog attacks on guide dogs. When a guide dog is no longer serviceable as a guide due to physical or emotional effects following an attack, it is not only devastating to the blind handler to lose this valued companion and source of mobility, but often the memory of such an incident is seldom forgotten.

The cost of the dog and services from an organization that trains dog guides can range up to approximately $60,000.00 per person/dog team. Needless to say, these highly trained animals are far from being ordinary dogs or pets; rather they enhance our freedom, safety and independence.

To date, 15 states have recognized this problem and have passed laws protecting those who use guide and service dogs to assist them in living active lives. Currently, several other states such as Ohio, Minnesota, Hawaii and Florida are in the process of seeking stronger legislation for the protection of these hard working animals. I urge you all to join GDUA in our efforts to introduce a bill for protection for dog guides against attack by loose dogs in the state of Arizona.

Anyone who is interested in assisting in our legislative efforts, or learning more about ways in which you might participate in the work of GDUA, please contact any of our officers listed at the end of this newsletter. In the meantime, please read on! We have lots of exciting plans for the fall and we want you all to be a part of the festivities

Submitted by,
Ginger Bennett
President, Guide Dog Users of Arizona

CONVENTION PROGRAM

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM REGISTRATION -- Enjoy a light continental breakfast and register to win one of many great door prizes!
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
9:30 AM -10:45 AM GUIDE DOG SCHOOL UPDATES -- Whether you are a guide dog user or just want to learn more about the various dog guide school programs, join us for news from seven school representatives. Time will be allotted for a question and answer session. The following schools will be present: Eye Dog Foundation, Guide Dogs of America, Guide Dogs of the Desert, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Leader Dogs for the Blind, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and The Seeing Eye.
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM -- BREAK
11:00 AM - 12:15 PM PROTECTION OF DOG GUIDES AGAINST ATTACK -- Special guest, Thom Ainsworth of Guide Dogs for the Blind, will address the growing problem of loose dogs attacking dog guides and how we can help to protect our guides. Currently, Arizona State laws do not effectively protect the rights of blind individuals and their dog guides to safely travel within their communities without being attacked by loose dogs. Please don't miss out on this very important presentation.
12:15 PM - 1:00 PM BREAK AND LUNCH Mingle and enjoy an authentic "southwestern" bagged lunch!!
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM BODY LANGUAGE AND EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION -- Presented by Seeing Eye field representatives Michael Moran and Chelsea Morrow. This participatory workshop is designed to inform blind and visually impaired individuals about eye contact, gestures, body positioning and learning the nuances of non-verbal communication.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM SURVIVING IN THE DESERT WITH YOUR DOG Tips and tricks from local veterinarian Dr. Marsh on how to deal with the challenges of living in the desert with your guide. Time will be allotted for a question and answer session at the end.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM FUN, FELLOWSHIP AND DOOR PRIZES!! -- Top off the days event by winning some great door prizes and visiting with new friends and old!

HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE!

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____Join Guide Dog Users of Arizona, today! Please check here if you wish to join/renew 2002 membership dues. Membership dues for GDUA are ten dollars per year.

____Convention Registration Fee...$5.00 (five dollars)

Please make checks payable to Guide Dog Users of Arizona and mail check and completed registration form to

Guide Dog Users of Arizona
Donald Noller
4400 W. Missouri Ave., Lot 295
Glendale, AZ 85301

Phone: 623-915-9111
Email: donoller@earthlink.net

If you need assistance with transportation, please contact
Kevin Chinn
623-412-8350
email kmchinn@qwest.net

**WHITE CANE AWARENESS WALKATHON 2001

In celebration of National White Cane Awareness month, the 1st annual White Cane Awareness Walk will be held in Phoenix on Saturday, October 27th at the Burton Barr Central Library. The Arizona Council of the Blind, The Foundation for Blind Children and Guide Dog Users of Arizona invite you all to join in on this very special event!

As you may know, Arizona's pedestrian environment has become increasingly hostile to the safe travel of all persons and especially to those of us who are blind. As a group, blind and visually impaired citizens are particularly dependent on safe streets. Sadly, Maricopa County is the most dangerous metropolitan area for pedestrians in Arizona, and the city of Phoenix ranks among the ten most dangerous cities in the U.S.

The White Cane Awareness Walk raises needed funds to support the organizations that serve Arizona's Blind and Visually Impaired and to enhance public awareness of Arizona's White Cane Law. The 1-mile event will begin at 9:00 AM and any participant collecting over $25 in donations will receive a free White Cane Awareness Walk T-shirt. The ten-dollar Registration fee will be waved if walkers are able to collect ten dollars or more in donations. Several great prizes will be awarded to top fundraisers! For more information, contact Ginger Bennett at (480) 227-7744 or email g.bennett@gdui.org.

***THE DREADED DOOR

A hearty hello to all our GDUA members and others interested in the dog guide movement! As I sat here quietly reflecting on life's mysteries, (or should I just admit the truth and say that I was really zoning out), my thoughts drifted toward a common bond with which I share with all handlers--what to do about well-meaning people, and the dreaded door! I have come to the disturbing conclusion that I lack the necessary skills required to properly direct my good friends, and family, when it comes to the art of opening doors for dog guide teams.

As handlers, I believe we all know what it is like to either walk dead into a door or smack into a doorframe. I still vividly remember my first encounter with a door. I had just received Lenny and we were exiting a local department store. An older gentleman opened the door for us and proudly stood in front of it in order to hold it open. My rather large, yellow lab and I headed through the door. I instinctively reached my hand out to hold it open. Partly to guide myself through the door and partly because I always have this fear that people are going to let the door slam shut just as I reach the threshold! Well, unfortunately, the good man's head is the first thing my out-stretched hand came in contact with. Inadvertently, I proceeded to shove his head into the very door he so graciously held open for me. I am quite certain the blow to his head rendered him senseless because he immediately began apologizing to me as nearby onlookers gaped in horror.

I truly believe that several of my sighted friends are going to have Alzheimer's disease when they get older. I can tell them something in explicit detail and the next time it comes up they gaze at me in puzzlement and sheer confusion. Apparently the topic of dog teams and doors is an especially difficult concept to grasp. I now realize that for my safety and that of my dog, I must be vigilant at insisting that I open all doors myself. I am quite convinced that it is only by the Grace of God that I haven't been critically wounded by an open door yet. No one seems to comprehend that a terrifying chain of events could easily be triggered at any given moment if a dog guide team is not given the necessary information about a door. Well meaning door openers need to understand that our guides may perceive them as an obstacle and thus compensate by moving just a hair to the right or left. This small maneuver could very well cause the unsuspecting handler to hit the doorframe. This, in turn, could seriously injure a shoulder causing the handler to screech in total agony. Terrified store employees would, in all likelihood, believe the horrible shriek was due to a "hold-up" and scramble to hit the floor. At this point, any true Labrador like my Lenny would most certainly think store employees were preparing for a playtime, and would proceed to charge through the doorway thus yanking the mortally wounded handler onto the floor...Oh the humanity of it all! Okay, back on track...

So you see, I do believe it is better, whenever possible, for the dog guide handler to personally open the door. Not only is this clearly a safer practice, but also it is much easier to determine where the door is, which way it opens, and how big the opening is. I vaguely recall that my dog guide instructor may even have recommended just this tactic but surely I would have adhered to any and all instructions set forth by my school! Now, don't be alarmed if a large crowd of people seems to be gathering while you attempt to figure out how the door opens. Many of these people may even appear to be slightly annoyed when you insist that you need to open the door yourself, but remember, your very life is at stake here. I often worry that people are waiting to go through the door and I am holding them from entering or exiting, but as I have said, it could be a matter of life or death. Besides, the extra time will allow you to figure out the most absolute best side to position your dog for doorway action. I seem to recollect some handlers calling this little maneuver a "Door Dance". I really love the term because I can imagine myself pirouetting through the door like Nureyev. It must even look better when your arms and hands are full of packages and such. Anyway, let's move on to car doors.

Just this week, my best friend and I were going to lunch in the appalling heat of the Arizona desert. Undoubtedly, the temperature was at least 2,500 degrees on this particular day making it especially difficult for Lenny's paws to tolerate the fierce blast of heat radiating from the pavement. My friend, being the kind-hearted soul he is, raced ahead to his vehicle and, as I would later find out, flung the door open wide in an effort to save Lenny's roasting paws. Now I need to stop here for a moment and assure you all that my friend is an extremely intelligent & caring person. He did not realize that an open door might somehow create the perfect environment for disaster. I must admit, I thought this myself at first but then I realized that I had never once discussed my firm convictions about open doors with him. Perhaps if I had been more aware of his actions I could have avoided the midday catastrophe but my attentions were solely fixed on controlling Lenny's bionic pull. Like a top gunner in a fighter jet, Lenny completely focused his mind and eyes on the open door, the cool of the car floor, and the comforts of air conditioning. We made it to the door like a bat out of H E double-toothpicks and Lenny dove to put his front paws on the floor. (Lenny, lovingly known as "Lenny Lard" can rarely get his back paws into a car, so it is often my job to lift him into it). As it so happened, this day was no different and in Lenny's wild dash to relieve his paws that looked remarkably like the fiery exhaust from the bat mobile, slammed me eye first into the corner of the open door of my friend's new explorer. While Lenny's butt dangled out the car door, the impact to my skull shot me into a dazed succession of spirals. I kind of reminded myself of the guy at the end of that movie, "Texas Chain Saw Massacre", who spins around in circles before the semi-truck flattens him. The only thing missing was the chain saw!

Hopefully, this last episode with the dreaded door will inspire me to be more consistent in my efforts to preach the dangers of open doors to, not just friends and family, but to everyone and anyone I meet. I know there must be many of you out there that share the very same anxieties so please don't hesitate to give me a ring and we can mull over the hazards of the dreaded door!

***CANINE CLIPPINGS

*Thanks to AzCB web master Tom Belsan, GDUA is on the Webb! GDUA member Tim Renyer and Ginger Bennett will be working with Tom to provide our members with an informative and fun site to visit and we need your help! Do you have a favorite photo of your guide? GDUA is looking for that perfect shot to share with everyone on our "Meet the GDUA Gang" link. Please contact Tim Renyer at tim@renyer.com if you would like to submit a photo for our site. Check us out at www.gdua.org

* A big thanks go to Dorothy and Dana Cox of Santa Rosa, California for their generous donation given to GDUA in memorial of a beloved family member. GDUA sincerely appreciates the generosity of such a thoughtful gift.

***Leading You Home by Jennie Emery
Reviewed by Rebecca Kragnes

If you're looking for an inspiring album to uplift your spirit, "Leading You Home" by Jennie emery is probably what you're looking for. The album contains vocals as adroit as those of Mariah Kerry or Whitney Houston. Jenny's conveyance of emotion from quiet comfort to passionate conviction reminds me of a combination of Kathy Mataya and Celeen Deon. Her piano skills are technically raiser sharp, yet dynamics and expression seem important to her.

"Leading You Home" isn't sickly sweet or narrow, but gently persuades the listener to Jenny's line of thinking. Some songs hint at the divine, but the word "God" is never used. If you believe in the Divine, the album supports that. If you do not, the album provides lots of positive songs to motivate you without the preaching some singers exhibit.

"Leading You Home" has wonderful covers of songs I have wanted to purchase. My rule of thumb has been not to buy an album if I don't already like at least two songs on it. Jennie plucks pieces from a variety of musical genres. Stephanie Davis & Garth Brooks' "We shall be Free" comes from the countryside of things. Contrast that with "I Believe I can Fly" from one of today's hottest R&B singer songwriters R. Kelly. She takes "love in any language" by Jon Mohr & John Mays from contemporary Christian music. Her version of "When I'm Back on My Feet Again" by D Warren is far superior to my ears than the one made popular by Michael Boltan in 1990.

One of my favorite covers is a song I had never heard before; Berry Mann's "Reach for the Light". Jennie makes this song her own and leads us on an adventure of key signatures, chords, and drama. Speaking of making things her own, Jenny's composing skills are top notch. She seems to put a little extra punch into the songs she's written herself. "Let there be Light" and "show Me Who I am" are active numbers with tight guitar work. I am particularly drawn to her three ballads on "Leading You Home." There is the title track, "Broken Dreams", and "don't throw it Away". I don't know much about Jenny's life other than that she is blind and uses a guide dog, but these songs have an empathic element that makes me think she has been through some hard times. She understands negative feelings and how we can get drawn into that vicious cycle. At the same time, she shows us the way out without being condescending or a know-it-all. Her melodies and chords aren't fancy, but Fancy, technical stuff can get in the way. Often I think the straightforward chords and melodies allow me to be moved at a deeper place, and that is definitely true with these three pieces.

"Leading You Home" is available on CD or cassette from Guide dog Users of Oregon (GDUO). Cassettes are $10, and compact discs are $15. There is a $3 shipping charge per item. Make checks out to GDUO and send payment to their treasurer.

Patricia Kepler
5850 SW 177th Avenue
Aloha Or 97007

Patricia's e-mail address is
blinkypk@yahoo.com.

President

Ginger Bennett
4531 East Sandia Street
Phoenix, AZ 85044
Phone: 480-227-7744
Aurorab@att.net

First Vice President

Destene C. Noller
4400 W. Missouri Ave. Lot 295
Glendale, AZ 85301
HOME: 623-915-9111
pagerdog@earthlink.net

Second Vice President

Kevin Chinn
8350 W. bloomfield rd.
Peoria,Arizona 85381
Home phone (623)412-8350
Work phone: (623)486-8900
kmchinn@uswest.net

Secretary VACANT

(Anyone interested in filling this position until next elections, please contact Ginger Bennett)

Treasurer

Donald R. Noller
4400 W. Missouri Ave. Lot 295
Glendale, AZ 85301
HOME: 623-915-9111
donoller@earthlink.net

Two-Year Board Member

David Rutledge
114 Bradshaw drive
Prescott AZ. 86303
drutl@MINDSPRING.COM

Two-Year Board Member

River Forest
4943 E Indian School Rd Unit 1
Phoenix, AZ 85018
Home: 602-266-5543
Work: 602-266-9286
riverrain@uswest.net

One-Year Board Member

Larry Colbert
2117 S. Ventura Drive
Tempe, AZ 85282
Home: 480-894-2639
larry_colbert@att.net

One-Year Board Member

Michael A. Hinkle
17425 N. 19th Avenue Apt 2105
Phoenix, AZ 85023-2427
HOME: 602-863-6721tty/602-439-8495 voice
WORK: A.I.B. 602-269-5131
mikejam2000@aol.com

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