Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation
| GENERAL INFORMATION | |
| Address | 103 Vision Way Bloomfield, Ct. 06002 |
| Phone | (860) 243-5200 |
| Fax | (860) 760-6159 |
| admissions@fidelco.org | |
| Website | www.Fidelco.org |
| MEMBERSHIPS | |
| International Federation of Guide Dog Schools | YES |
| Council of United States Dog Guide Schools | YES |
| PROGRAM OPTIONS, FACILITIES AND SPECIAL SERVICES | |
| How many teams, on average, does the program graduate annually? | IT FLUCTUATES FROM YEAR TO YEAR, ON AVERAGE 50 |
| What is the instructor to student ratio for most classes? | 1 to 1 |
| What is the duration (days/weeks) of your school's training program for first-time guide dog handlers? | 15 DAYS |
| For how many days/weeks must previous graduates of your program re-train to receive successor dogs? | 10 DAYS |
| How many days/weeks must handlers who are new to your program, but who are previous graduates of other schools, train with you to receive a successor guide? | 10-15 DAYS |
| Training program offers | IN-HOME TRAINING FOR ANY STUDENT WHO REQUESTS IT |
| Policy for students requiring transportation | PROGRAM PROVIDES SCHOOL-SUBSIDIZED TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM TRAINING |
| Can the program accommodate non-English Speakers? | NO |
| Facility or home-based training program? | STRICTLY HOME-BASED |
| APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS/APPLICATION PROCESS | |
| Are application, contracts and other materials in an accessible format? | LARGE PRINT/BRAILLE UPON REQUEST |
| Can forms be completely filled in online? | NO |
| For a first-time handler, how long is the average wait for a dog (including the time from your receipt of the application, to acceptance, to the student's class date)? | 6-9 MONTHS |
| What is the average wait for returning students seeking a successor dog (from submission of the re-train application to a class date)? | 6 MONTHS |
| Qualified applicants include people who are “legally blind” | YES |
| Qualified applicants include only blind/visually impaired people with little or no functional vision | NO |
| Qualified applicants include blind/visually impaired people who require a dog to work on their right side | YES |
| Qualified applicants include visually impaired people who are hard of hearing or deaf | NO |
| Qualified applicants include people with little or no functional vision who are hard of hearing or deaf | NO |
| Qualified applicants include blind/visually impaired people who walk with a support cane | NO |
| Qualified applicants include blind/visually impaired people who use motorized wheelchairs | NO |
| Qualified applicants include blind/visually impaired people who use manual wheelchairs | NO |
| Upper or lower age limits? | MINIMUM 16 YEARS |
| Require applicants to demonstrate O&M proficiency before training with a dog | YES, AND THIS IS ASSESSED IN ADMISSIONS PROCESS |
| Is pre-class O&M training offered to fulfill your O&M requirements | NO |
| As part of the assessment process, home interviews are required | YES |
| As part of the assessment process, phone interviews are used | YES |
| As part of the assessment process, character references are required to be submitted on the applicant's behalf | YES |
| As part of the assessment process, documentation of a disability & a physician's exam are required | YES |
| As part of the assessment process, an ophthalmologist report is required | YES |
| As part of the assessment process, a mobility report is required | YES |
| what can a student expect to be covered during an in-home interview | ROUTES WILL NEED TO BE DEMONSTRATED |
| Are there any physical or psychological conditions which would make an applicant’s acceptance unlikely | NONE LISTED |
| Upon acceptance to the program, what informational materials do applicants receive prior to class? (i.e., training lecture notes, information on what to bring, contact information, etc.) | CD LECTURE ON INITIAL HANDLING TECHNIQUES TO WORK FIDELCO GERMAN SHEPHERD |
| At what point in the application process is the contract between school and student provided? | AT THE CONCLUSION OF TRAINING |
| Is the contract provided to the student in an accessible format prior to signing? | NO, BUT BRAILLE CAN BE REQUESTED |
| APPLICATION DENIALS | |
| If an applicant is denied, is detailed rationale for the decision provided to the applicant? | NO |
| Is there an appeal process available to the applicant denied acceptance? | YES |
| Is there an in-person meeting with the applicant to discuss the reasons pertaining to denial? | NO |
| Is there an opportunity for a review of the application, if issues are rectified? | YES. WE HAVE A FORMAL APPEALS PROCESS |
| INSTRUCTOR QUALIFICATIONS & DUTIES | |
| To become qualified as an instructor for our school, a candidate must complete an in-house apprenticeship program | YES, 3 YEARS |
| To become qualified as an instructor for our school, a candidate must meet governmentally mandated requirements for licensure | NO |
| To become qualified as an instructor for our school, a candidate must have prior work experience as a guide dog instructor | NO |
| To become qualified as an instructor for our school, a candidate must have prior dog training experience | YES |
| To become qualified as an instructor for our school, a candidate must have experience or a degree in orientation and mobility instruction | NO |
| The testing used in the instructor training process complies with standards specific to the program | YES |
| The testing used in the instructor training process complies with standards set by the international federation of guide dog schools | YES |
| All instructors undergo a blindfold-living experience | YES |
| All instructors do some work in the field with graduates in the home environment | YES |
| Field instructors are permanently assigned to specific regions | NO |
| BREEDING & SELECTION | |
| Breeds trained for guide work | 100% GERMAN SHEPHERD |
| How are dogs obtained for training as guides? | IN-HOUSE BREEDING |
| Is a licensed veterinarian on staff? | YES |
| Is there a degreed geneticist on staff or used for cusultation in the breeding department? | NO |
| PUPPY SOCIALIZATION/ASSESSMENT | |
| Contact between puppy raiser and graduate | DISCOURAGED |
| Is any puppy-raiser provided information passed along to the graduate? | SOME |
| Can communications between graduates and puppy raisers be passed along? | UPON REQUEST |
| Puppy socialization/assessment program includes 4H club members | YES |
| Puppy socialization/assessment program includes adult volunteers | YES |
| Puppy socialization/assessment program includes youth volunteers | YES |
| Puppy socialization/assessment program includes school-screened applicants | YES |
| Puppy socialization/assessment program includes selected residents of correctional facilities who are part of an organized program | NO |
| Puppy socialization/assessment program includes school staff members | YES |
| Participants in the puppy raising program are not subject to formal guidelines from the school. | NO |
| The puppy raising program is formally organized with a puppy raising manual that sets out specific guidelines for raisers to follow | YES |
| Participants in the school's puppy raising/socialization program must attend regular meetings | YES |
| Periodic assessment takes place to insure that participants in the program regularly and strictly adhere to established procedures for puppy raising/socialization | YES |
| Raisers are responsible for teaching basic obedience to the puppies. | YES |
| Raisers are responsible for making sure puppies learn appropriate house behaviors | YES |
| How frequently are puppies evaluated by school approved staff or volunteers? | WEEKLY |
| Dog aggression may cause a puppy to be dropped from training | YES |
| Aggression toward people may cause a puppy to be dropped from training | YES |
| Regular relieving accidents may cause a puppy to be dropped from training | YES |
| Fear of loud noises may cause a puppy to be dropped from training | YES |
| Pronounced fear reactions to environmental stimuli may cause a puppy to be dropped from training | YES |
| Fear of a jacket or harness may cause a puppy to be dropped from training | YES |
| Health screening for puppies includes a complete physical exam performed by a veterinarian | YES |
| Health screening for puppies includes screening for skeletal problems including hip and elbow dysplasia | YES |
| Health screening for puppies includes screening for common chronic conditions that could necessitate ongoing treatment or medication for the dog | YES |
| Average length of time that a puppy is placed with a puppy raiser | 13 MONTHS |
| Average age of a puppy when formal guide training is begun | 15 MONTHS |
| How are dogs housed during formal guide training? | IN KENNELS AT FACILITY |
| In what type of kenneling are the dogs housed during the training period | INDOOR STANDARD KENNEL RUNS |
| TRAINING AND STANDARDS FOR GUIDE WORK | |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will be house broken | YES |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will have been trained to behave well in public, e.g. no barking or stealing food. | YES |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will exhibit no aggression toward people or other animals | YES |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will respond to basic obedience commands | YES |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will disobey the handler's commands when it would be unsafe to comply (intelligent disobedience) | YES |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will be trained to work safely in traffic | YES |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will be trained to safely negotiate “traffic checks” | YES |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will be trained to work in a variety of street crossing settings | YES |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will be trained to stop reliably at changes in elevation, i.e. steps, curbs and drop-offs | YES |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will be trained to avoid or indicate obstacles reliably | YES |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will be trained to avoid or indicate overhead obstacles reliably | YES |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will be trained to reliably turn left, right or to move forward on the hand signal from the handler | YES |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will be trained to reliably turn left, right or to move forward on the verbal command of the handler | YES |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will be trained to ride escalators | YES |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will be trained to safely navigate revolving doors with its handler | YES |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will be trained to follow members of the public when commanded to do so by the handler | YES |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will be trained to enter, exit and ride quietly in passenger cars or other vehicles | YES |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will be trained to enter, exit and ride quietly on buses | YES |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will be trained to enter, exit and ride quietly on subways, light rail systems or passenger trains and to safely navigate elevated platforms | YES |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will have been exposed to security checkpoints such as those found in airports | YES |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will have been trained in urban environments | YES |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will have been trained in small towns or suburbia | YES |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will have been trained in rural environments | YES |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will have been trained to guide safely along roads with no sidewalks or footpaths | YES |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will have been trained to work in environments such as university campuses or shopping malls where there are multiple locations which must be accessed via nonlinear pathways | YES |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will be trained to reliably retrieve dropped items for the handler | NO |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will be trained to locate some specific objects/landmarks on command | YES |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will be trained to reliably come when called while off leash | YES |
| Upon completion of team training, clients can be assured that a dog will be trained to formally guide on leash | NO |
| How long (number of hours of actual training) is formal guide work training for dogs? | 60 HOURS |
| What is the average age of the dog at the time it is assigned to a handler? | APPROX. 2 YEARS |
| We use treats with the dogs to reinforce desired behaviors | YES |
| We use clickers with the dogs to reinforce desired behaviors | YES |
| We use verbal encouragement with the dogs to reinforce desired behaviors | YES |
| We use traditional correction-based training methods | YES |
| Are the dogs tested by instructors under blindfold | YES, ALL DOGS ARE TESTED BY INSTRUCTORS UNDER BLINDFOLD |
| Information gathered from our application process is used to match a student with a dog | YES |
| Instructors contact the incoming student by telephone prior to class to discuss issues relating to the match | YES |
| Instructors assess a student for a suitable match when that student arrives in class | YES |
| When a student begins class, our instructors continue to assess that student for a suitable match | YES |
| Students test walk a few dogs prior to the match to assist in the matching process | NO |
| The class instructors meet to discuss and formalize dog matches prior to issuing dogs to students | YES |
| The student and instructors periodically meet during training to discuss the viability of the match | YES |
| An alternative match is available to a student if the need arises | YES |
| Do you train guide dogs to do tasks other than guide work for individuals with multiple disabilities | NO |
| In the past two years, what was the percentage of dogs that were returned within a year of being placed with a handler? | 7% |
| What types of traffic checks are used in classes? | COMBINATION OF STAGED AND NATURALLY OCCURRING |
| Are quiet cars included in traffic check training? | NO |
| View on GPS Products for Students | WE WORK WITH THE STUDENT ON ALL APPROPRIATE ASSISTIVE DEVICES ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS |
| GRADUATE SERVICES | |
| Policy on home-based instructional follow-up | IN-HOME INSTRUCTIONAL FOLLOW-UP IS AVAILABLE FOR OUR GRADUATES THROUGHOUT THE U.S. INCLUDING CALIFORNIA, AS WELL AS CANADA |
| At-home instructional follow-up upon graduate request is provided within | A FEW DAYS OF THE REQUEST |
| Telephone-based support for graduates | AN INSTRUCTOR RETURNS A GRADUATE'S PHONE CALL FOR ADVICE/ASSISTANCE ON A SAME-DAY BASIS |
| Are vet staff available during business hours to speak with graduates regarding health concerns they have about their guides? | YES |
| School veterinarians available to consult with a graduate’s local vet as necessary | YES |
| Does the school offer graduates assistance in placing retired guides if they request it? | YES, WE’LL HELP FIND A HOME FOR A RETIRED GUIDE IF A GRADUATE HAS NO OTHER OPTION |
| If a graduate requests, can the school offer kennel services for a guide? | NO |
| Other than the harness, collar and leash, what supplies does the training program send graduates home with? | BOWLS, TIE DOWN, GROOMING TOOL, TRAVEL WATER BOWL, BAG OF FOOD |
| Does the school have dog supplies available for purchase by the students? | YES. SOME SUPPLIES ARE PROVIDED AND OTHERS MAY BE PURCHASED |
| Are the dogs chipped and registered by the school? | WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTING THIS SO WE CANNOT ANSWER YES OR NO AT THIS TIME |
| POST-TRAINING POLICIES | |
| Upon completion of training with your program: | THE SCHOOL RETAINS SOME FORM OF OWNERSHIP OF THE DOG. (FOR EXAMPLE THE SCHOOL RETAINS OWNERSHIP AND THE GRADUATE HAS CUSTODY.) |
| In cases of proven dog-abuse, the school retains the right to remove the dog from a graduate’s home | YES |
| In cases of proven dog-abuse, the school works with Animal Control or other appropriate agencies to remove the dog from the home | YES |
| The school expects that civil authorities will deal directly with the handler to resolve situations of proven dog-abuse | YES |
| The school retains the right to remove a dog from a graduate in cases where the training staff deems the working team to be unsafe | YES |
| The school retains the right to remove a dog from a graduate in cases where the school determines the handler’s home environment to be unsafe | YES |
| Once a dog is issued, the school does not involve itself in attempting to remove a dog under any circumstances | NO |
| The graduate owns the dog's work-related equipment upon graduation | NO |
| The school retains ownership of the dog's work-related equipment | YES |
| The school reserves the right to remove the harness in cases where the training staff deems the team to be unsafe | YES |
| The school requests that the harness be returned to them upon retirement of the guide | YES |
| If replacement equipment is needed by a graduate | SCHOOL PROVIDES REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FREE OF CHARGE TO ITS GRADUATES |
| Graduates are offered an annual stipend for veterinary care throughout the working career of the dog. | NO |
| Graduates who keep their retired guides are offered an annual veterinary care stipend to use throughout that dog’s entire life. | NO |
| The school covers the cost of veterinary care for a specified period of time | NO |
| The School does not offer the graduate financial assistance for veterinary care | YES |
| Heartworm and flea and tick preventative medications are offered to graduates free of charge (or the cost is reimbursed) | NO |
| Heartworm and flea and tick preventative medications are offered to graduates at reduced cost | NO |
| The dog’s food is offered to graduates at reduced cost through the school | NO |
| The school offers loans or grants to assist graduates with vet costs if need be | NO |
| The school assists graduates experiencing financial difficulties in finding organizations that might offer them funding for veterinary costs | YES |
| Upon completion of training the school has a graduation ceremony | NO |
| Upon completion of training first-time graduates are treated to a dinner to celebrate completion of the program | NO |
| Upon completion of training graduates receive a packet of materials about their dog, their training, and about their access rights | YES |
| Upon completion of training exit interviews are conducted during which graduates are encouraged to comment on their in-class experience | YES |
| If a graduate wishes to share feedback about the program with the school, there is a process in place to allow graduates to comment on school programs and policies | YES |
| The school has a Graduate Council | NO |
| The school sponsors an email list for graduates and those interested in the school | NO |
| The school keeps ongoing communication with its graduates, informing them of program news and/or innovations, using its website as well as school newsletters | YES |
| A booklet containing access laws for the U.S. and Canada is provided | NO |
| A card that is printed with the access laws for their home region is provided | NO |
| The school has staff available to assist graduates in advocating for their access rights and to help them educate the public about the working dog-handler team | YES |
| The school has videos and written materials available to educate the public about the guide dog handlers’ civil rights | NO |
| The school shares information with students about advocacy organizations, such as Guide Dog Users, Inc. (an advocacy organization which assists handlers in advocating for their access rights, and in educating the public about the guide dog-handler team) | YES |
| Is there a person on staff who is a blind or visually impaired graduate of your program available to offer support to those in class as well as those already out in the field? | WE HAVE CLIENTS ABLE TO ASSIST WHEN NEEDED |
| Is bereavement and retirement support offered? | YES. WE OFFER SUPPORT FOR ALL OF OUR CLIENTS |
| Are any self-guided online or telephonic post-graduation learning opportunities provided? | NO |
| Qualified graduates serve on the school's Board of Directors | YES |
| Qualified graduates are employed at the school | NO |
| Graduates of your program volunteer on behalf of your program | YES |
| The school has a program that offers graduates opportunities to speak about the school and their guide dog related experiences in their local areas | YES |
| The school has an alumnus council or association | NO |
| The school has a mentoring or buddy program, matching an experienced student with a new student. | NO |
| Graduates are offered the opportunity to raise funds for the school by participating in school-sponsored activities or programs | YES |
