submitted by Sheila Styron
Simon Says? No, it's not a children's game; it's an entertaining GDUI tradition, brought back again this year by popular demand! Whether you and your dog choose to play the obedience game or not, you'll find a variety of interesting and entertaining activities at this year's GDUI convention, held in conjunction with the ACB annual convention in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Activities range from opportunities to explore the lay of the land at one of GDUI's two Sunday hotel and surrounding area orientation sessions to Monday afternoon's timely and informative presentation by Kathleen Blank, a consultant for the National Organization on Disabilities, who will discuss improvements in airline procedures affecting people with disabilities. That same afternoon, The Seeing Eye will present the latest innovations in wayfinding technologies used in combination with working a guide dog, and Monday evening, guide dog schools will provide valuable information handlers need in order to make informed choices when choosing a school.
Tuesday afternoon, following GDUI's business meeting, candidate's forum and caucus, GDUI hosts a panel presenting information about dog nutrition, including everything from the advantages of feeding a raw diet to more traditional ones. GDUI will present a town-hall style discussion of guide dog ethics Wednesday afternoon, including such topics as handlers' rights and responsibilities, public perceptions, more pets in public places as well as murkier issues. Wednesday evening's session, "What Goes In Must Come Out," takes a serious and not-so-serious look at just exactly what's in that baggie.
GDUI's Wednesday luncheon debuts a hilarious radio reading theater style production featuring the Hambone players in Dog Club, an original story by DeAnna Noriega, in which canines converse under the table where their handlers are seated enjoying lunch. Other fun activities include Tuesday evening's rousing game of Simon Says for guides and handlers as well as Wednesday afternoon's ever popular "Tall Tails," told by those who tell them best, guide dog instructors. Come vote for your favorite story!
Monday evening at 9 p.m., and sure to be a historic 2003 convention highlight, GDUI will host a reception where President Debbie Grubb will welcome and introduce Stephanie Dohmen. Dohmen is the courageous woman who along with GDUI and several guide dog schools filed a complaint with the Department of Justice against the Iowa Department for the Blind, which refused to allow her to attend classes while accompanied by her guide dog.
GDUI is excited to report that for the first time ever, there will be a professional cleanup company responsible for guide dog relief areas. There will be three large man-made relief areas filled with frequently changed wood chips outside the front doors and to the right at the Westin and audible motion sensors to facilitate their easy location. At the Convention Center, relief areas will be located near the main entrance as well as on the terrace across from the main GDUI meeting room and GDUI suite which will be situated next to each other. At the Hilton, which is the overflow hotel, there is lots of grass. So between responsible handling and professional assistance in this department, convention stress should be minimized.
For those who do not wish to bring dog food to the convention in suitcases too stuffed with other essentials, you can call Four Paws Barkery and General Store at 888-735-8059 to place dog food delivery orders. Just leave a message including your name and telephone number, and you'll get a call back to complete your transaction. Available brands include various formulas of Nutro, Science Diet, Sensible Choice, Pro Plan, Eukanuba, Iams, Premium Edge, and Diamond Premium. If your dog food preference isn't listed here, it still might be possible to obtain it through inquiry to this source. Dog food can be picked up at the GDUI suite Sunday afternoon, July 6 between noon and 4 PM where there will be a bag with your name on it.
As this report is being prepared, GDUI is attempting to finalize arrangements for vet tech and grooming assistance to be available in the GDUI suite. If you need the services of a veterinarian during normal business hours, call VCA Fox Chapel Animal Hospital at (412) 781-6446. For emergency veterinary services at night, during weekends or on July 4, please call Veterinary Emergency Clinic at (412) 492-9855.
GDUI is looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible in Pittsburgh, and if you come, Simon says you'll have a good time. Another source of dog food and treats
Flint River Ranch, a human grade pet food not sold in most stores, will be available at this year's convention. Lisa Salinger, a Flint River Ranch Distributor, can ship Flint River Ranch Food and treats as well as edible Nylabones (other than those flavors carried by GDUI), to convention free of charge. If interested in any of these items, please contact her no later than June 25. She can be reached by e-mail, [email protected], or by phone, (570) 585-7999.