BOOMERANG MICK

By: GDB Foster Care Coordinator Rebecca Hornick

As I try to process the joy and even some sadness from recent retirement of our beloved veterinarian and longtime GDB employee and friend, Dr. Craig Dietrich, I am struck by what it means to be an employee here at GDB long-term. We understand why this amazing organization attracts amazing new staff, from all walks of life, year after year. Some come and then go on to walk other career paths in their life, but remain forever touched by their connection to this transformative place. But what type of person comes here, sometimes as a youngster, with stars in their eyes, and remains year after year, change after change, and continues to be held in the spell of the intrinsic rewards of being part of the GDB workforce that makes this place flow?

I started my career here over 20 years ago, so I am happy and proud to think of myself as a “life-er.” After all, I hope to remain here, helping support our mission, until I am old and gray. And I have known others here that I would call life-ers as well.  One of these folks is actually someone who came many years ago, had a brief intermission while he was engaged in another line of work, but then decided he missed GDB so much that he just HAD to come back! Many of you know him; he’s our favorite Master of Ceremonies at Fun Day, always ready with a warm and welcoming smile for all he sees. He is, of course, our beloved Mick Aguilera or as I like to call him, “BOOMERANG MICK!” So let’s take a peek, into the life and times of one our favorite “life-ers” at GDB and get to know Mick!

How did you learn about GDB? I had been working in a specialty running shoe store in the Haight Ashbury in San Francisco and met Karen Butterworth (Asst. Canine Welfare/Neonatal Manager), who was running in a women’s track team sponsored by the store. Karen was working in the GDB Kennel and as we became friends she talked a lot about her job in the Kennel and it sounded very interesting. I had been in the world of retail long enough to know that I needed a big change in my life and so I talked to Karen more about GDB, and she recommended that I come to talk to Canine Welfare / Neonatal Manager Kathy Fenger and apply for a Kennel position.

When did you start at GDB? Before I started as Resident Advisor this January, I started working at GDB in January 1996, where I worked two years in the Kennel Department, and then 10 years in the Puppy Raising Department. I then left in 2008 to help open up a business in downtown San Francisco. After seven years with our successful salon, I felt it was time to get back to doing something I was passionate about, and that was Guide Dogs for the Blind.

What roles have you had here and what years did they include? I started out in the Kennel Department (1996 – 1998) and got a chance to work with breeder dogs and their new pups in the Whelping Kennel. I also worked with the daily care and feeding of GDB puppies, retired guides and career change dogs. During my time in the Kennel I had the opportunity to work with Charlotte Hansen who was then coordinating the Puppy Truck trips, and on those many trips I got to meet and work with GDB Puppy Raisers in (at the time) eight western states. In 1998 I moved over to the Puppy Raising Department and worked as Recall Coordinator (coordinating guide dog puppies returning for formal training), as well as scheduling and traveling with the Puppy Trucks. During this time I also worked with the Development Department and was on stage to host and act as Master of Ceremonies for GDB fundraising events, as well as for GDB Fun Day events (celebrating our amazing puppy raisers). Even during my time away from GDB, I continued as a volunteer and would help with fundraising events.

Where are you originally from and what did you study/what are your interests and hobbies? I was born and raised in Santa Barbara, California, with a very close knit family of dad and mom, and an older brother and two younger sisters. In high school l discovered the world of Theater Arts and acted on stage and sang in both school and church choirs. I was also very competitive in our school cross country and track teams, and continued to compete as a marathoner, completing the New York City Marathon five times.

What GDB dogs have you had or have now? My love of Golden Retrievers started when I adopted a career change dog named Camber. She was a nine month-old puppy when I got her, and she lived with us for 11 years.  I then had the opportunity to be a Breeder Custodian and had Golden Retriever named Kaylee in our home for her five litters. She is now retired and living a new life with her GDB puppy raisers in Oregon.

What is one of your favorite things about being part of GDB? One of my favorite things about being a part of GDB is working with people of all ages who have such an amazing commitment to our programs.

Do you have a fun or moving story from here you’d like to share? I really feel like I’ve gone full circle while working here at GDB. First working with the breeders and their puppies in the Whelping Kennel, then working with our GDB puppy raisers, and now working with the students here on campus as they train with their guide dogs.

Do you have any words of wisdom for new GDB employees? When I first started in the Kennel Department at GDB I never imagined that I would go on to work with so many other different departments.

Can you sum up your overall experience at GDB so far? The many rewards I've received by working at GDB started as I worked on the “front lines” in the Kennel Department. Working with all ages and types of dogs was a good start to where I am now. And then working in the Puppy Raising department and seeing the true commitment of the puppy raisers and leaders of all ages as I would travel (at the time) those eight western states delivering GDB puppies, career change dogs and retired guides, and then returning on future trips picking up those puppies to deliver them to campus to begin their formal guide dog training. You could feel the love all along the way at each and every stop. And now working with the students and their new guides, I can fully appreciate and understand all that goes into the goal of seeing a new guide team graduate.

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To Volunteers, With Love

By: Rebecca Hornick

To all the volunteers who support GDB and beyond, Happy National Volunteer Week!

This is a very special week to share GDB’s appreciation to our many volunteers. As the San Rafael Campus Foster Care Coordinator, I have had the privilege of working with dozens of volunteers who support the needs of our foster dogs each year. As I reflect on the significance of this week of appreciation, I wondered, how can we show the immense gratitude we feel to recognize the contribution of our dedicated volunteers? I know we all love CHOCOLATE, but beyond putting out a bowl of sweets, how can this message be given in a way which it is truly felt by each volunteer?

Then I realized that for many volunteers, the act of giving itself provides them a sense of intrinsic value that comes from deep within and continues to fuel their drive and compassion. It seems to me, by reaching this state of personal reward through the gift of giving, is the very essence of human evolution through kindness. By giving of themselves, each volunteer is doing his/her part to make the world a better place for us all. Who wouldn't be moved by witnessing or participating in these selfless acts?  These are not JUST volunteers, but modern day heroes with invisible superhero capes!

Many quotes have been collected over time that speak to the essence of volunteerism and this one addresses that sense of the profound human evolution I see every day through the hard work of our volunteers: “Every action in our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity.” ~Edwin Hubbel Chapin. And another, “What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.” ~Albert Pike (Thanks, Carl) and lastly, “We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.” ~Franklin Delano Roosevelt. How true! What our volunteers do today will continue to plant the seeds for success in the future. So there it is; VOLUNTEERISM IS EVOLUTION IN ACTION.

Another quote I found seems to resonate particularly well for those connected to our mission here at GDB: “Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” ~Variation of a saying that has been around since at least 1861, author unknown. And another which has significance here, “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” ~Edward Everett Hale.

How fortunate we are to work among such kind and giving soul’s on both of our campuses, as well as the volunteer puppy raisers in so many states! Wherever they reside, our volunteers touch lives, strengthen communities, and build connections that reach even farther. “Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in.” ~Author Unknown. Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

I would love it if every volunteer, both on campus and beyond, feels the deep and sincere appreciation GDB feels for their contribution. Every effort they offer changes our world for the better, each and every day and GDB thanks you all for the precious gift you give. Volunteers humbly show us every day that we should, “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” ~William James.

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Before the Rainbow Bridge

By: GDB Foster Care Coordinator Rebecca Hornick

We’ve all been through it; if you own animals, there is a tearful time when we have to say goodbye.  If you haven’t heard the term “Rainbow Bridge” it refers to the animal version of Heaven. It’s a nice thought to imagine our animals finding peace when they leave this life, but it is also a relief to know that they experience love and comforts here before they go. Some of us even feel privileged to be there for them in the most difficult time of all; the end of life.

This is why I want to sing the praises for the special foster care providers who are willing to take in hospice dogs.  Most of our dogs are lucky enough to find themselves living out their final days in the loving homes they already know: with their raisers, graduates or adoptive families.  But a few come to us in need of a new home and they happen to have the added challenge of a serious medical condition.  Our stellar veterinary staff continues to care for these animals and local volunteer foster care providers agree to house them until the end of their lives.  It is a huge gift they give these dogs and to their raisers and to the grads who had these dogs as guides.  After all, it’s not always possible for previous caretakers to continue to care for these dogs when they face some of the most challenging times of their lives.

Below are some thoughts from several California campus Foster Care Volunteers as well as comments from the graduate whose guide dog is in hospice care.

From Foster Care Provider, Edith Allgood and Philip Farmer:

There is no question that it really hurts to lose a dog, especially a particularly beloved one like Wilma. Death is inevitable, and there’s never a good time for it.  Very often people say, when they learn what we are doing, “I could never do that because I wouldn’t be able to deal with losing him or her.”  I don’t really understand that. When you decide to share your life with a perfectly healthy dog, you are accepting the inevitability of their death by virtue of the fact of their naturally short life span.
Because it is going to die somewhere, sometime, we think the dog should be with us, because we will love him or her and do everything we can to insure he or she has the best life possible while it lasts. As hospice care providers, we place the animal’s well-being and quality of life before our desire to keep the animal with us. This makes it less difficult to help make the decision for euthanasia when the end of the dog’s life is near. What motivates us to do foster care, as well as hospice care for GDB in particular, is that we feel that since the dogs have been bred to be service dogs, we owe them service when they are unable to do their jobs for us.

Doing this work with GDB is about as easy as it could be. Everyone wants the very best for the dogs and they work hard to insure that they get the best. The staff at GDB is tremendously supportive of all of its volunteers; we always feel appreciated and supported by the veterinary staff, the kennel staff, the foster care coordinator, the adoption folks and other foster care volunteers. If we had not taken Wilma into hospice care, we would not have had the pleasure of knowing and loving one of the best dogs ever.

From GDB Graduate, Rosalyn Butt:

Last October I had one of the scariest experiences of my life. Bryant, my eight-year-old Yellow Labrador guide, dog, became very sick one October evening. He had to have emergency surgery to remove his spleen and lab results confirmed that Bryant had hemangisarcoma, a particularly virulent cancer.  A few days later, he came home, where he began to heal from the surgery. I knew I couldn't take care of him permanently myself and nobody I knew was in a position to give him the care he needed and deserved. So after considerable discussion with GDB staff, it was decided that Bryant must retire and return to San Rafael to find a new home.

After being medically examined at GDB, Bryant met his new family and entered his new foster home. Bryant gives and receives all the love and affection he can handle. He goes to work often with his new Mom, Rebecca, and receives care at GDB's state-of-the-art veterinary clinic. He is pain-free and loves his retirement. Rebecca, her husband Mike, and their three sons enjoy the love of a wonderful dog. If Bryant becomes sick again, he will leave this world peacefully. Until then, he's having fun.

From Bryant’s Foster Care Provider Rebecca Hornick:

My family and I took in Bryant six months ago and as of right now, his cancer shows no outward signs. This beautiful dog shows only happiness and joy to everyone he meets, so it’s impossible to imagine he has any illness at all when he acts like Mr. Sunshine, wagging and smiling all the time. Dogs are like that – they can teach us how to embrace each moment and that every day can be a great day if we focus on all the good that surrounds us.

When I first told people I was fostering this terminally ill dog, a heartbreak waiting to happen, some wondered if it was fair to my kids (I have three boys, youngest is 10).  But I have always been the kind of parent who feels this can be one of life’s many lessons that teaches compassion. We know it will be hard to say goodbye, but we make the most of our limited time together and I can honestly say, having Bryant has been a joy for all of us. This experience has been so intrinsically rewarding, not only giving Bryant all the love he deserves, but also to give peace of mind to the graduate and puppy raiser who were unable to take on his end-of-life care.  Every time I share with his graduate the new funny nick names he has or about his latest adventures or new fans, I feel I am comforting her and myself. 

Obviously, hospice care is different, but somehow similar to the loss the puppy raisers must feel when they send their pups back for formal training. But I hope that once they sort through their pain, they feel, like me; so happy to have helped another person and a precious dog, through the gift of their time and love. 

Bryant has changed my family forever because he taught us that illness and future heartache doesn’t have to destroy all happiness. We have shared the greatest time together and treasure all of the happy little moments. Even though we know it won’t last forever, we still feel lucky because we have walked this path with this amazing animal and experienced the joys of unconditional love.

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