Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation Opens Wilton Location

Wilton, CT – Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, an internationally accredited nonprofit known around the globe for its elite German Shepherd Guide Dogs, invites Fairfield County neighbors to take part in changing lives. The nonprofit has announced its first Wilton-based volunteer orientation to be held on Saturday, April 2, 2016.

Fidelco was founded in 1960 and has placed over 1,400 of its specially bred German Shepherd Guide Dogs with men and women across North America, providing increased independence and mobility.

"I believe in living the life you have imagined,” says Erik Weihenmayer of Weston, CT.  “Getting my guide dog greatly increased my independence."  Weihenmayer is partnered with his fourth Fidelco Guide Dog.  He is the only blind climber to conquer the world’s seven summits, including Mt. Everest.

Fidelco is now accepting applications from individuals and families to join its Volunteer Puppy Raising Program. Fidelco puppy raisers take eight-week-old puppies into their homes and teach them basic obedience and house manners while socializing them to the sights and sounds of their communities.    

Other volunteer opportunities include office support, special events and help with puppy class. All volunteers have special roles in supporting Fidelco’s life-changing work. 

“Volunteers are the heartbeat of our charitable mission,” says Fidelco President and CEO, Eliot Russman, of Redding, CT. “We’re excited to open our doors in Fairfield County and look forward to making many new friends who will help Fidelco forever change the lives of men and women with vision loss.”

Fidelco’s “Insights” Volunteer Orientation will be held on Saturday, April 2nd 2016 from 10am - 11am at 27 Cannon Rd. in Wilton, CT.  A session for those interested in volunteering as a puppy raiser will follow from 11am – 12pm.  Register online at fidelco.org; please note RSVPs are required. 

About Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation

Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation is an internationally accredited nonprofit that provides the highest quality German Shepherd Guide Dogs to people with vision loss.  Based in Bloomfield and Wilton, CT., Fidelco has placed more than 1,400 guide dogs throughout North America.  Each guide dog takes two years, 15,000 hours and $45,000 to produce – yet all services are provided to clients at no cost.  Fidelco relies solely on the generosity and financial support of individuals, foundations, corporations and civic organizations.  Fidelco has also provided hundreds of its German Shepherd Dogs to law enforcement agencies.  For more info, visit www.fidelco.org, like Fidelco on Facebook (www.facebook.com/fidelcoguidedog), follow @fidelco on Twitter or @fidelcoguidedogs on Instagram. 

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Submitted by Fairfield, CT

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