Vision Guide Dogs The Atlas Newsletter

VISION GUIDE DOGS

NEWSLETTER

AUGUST 2023

![Image: The Vision Guide Dogs logo features a winding road with a guide dog standing in the center and "Vision Guide Dogs" printed in the upper-right corner. Next to the logo it reads "Navigate the World."]

Join Us For Some Fun Events!

Summer is flying by! Here it is August already and, boy, do we have a fun-filled month ahead! We were recently voted The Cherrity Bar's August Charity of the Month and will be hosting several events there throughout the month. Escape the heat and quench your thirst by joining us at The Cherrity Bar in August. You can find the list of events below in the Events & Information section as well as on our Facebook and Instagram pages. We hope you can join us!

[Image: Guide dog-in-training Zuke in a down-stay position surrounded by trees next to Cibolo Creek.]

PUPPY UPDATE

This month guide dogs-in-training Zuke and Aurora practiced their table manners at The Cherrity Bar. It is very important that they learn how to behave in a restaurant setting. What does that mean? Zuke and Aurora need to learn that it is not acceptable to jump up and steal food from the table, beg for food from diners, or dive for crumbs on the floor. Not only are these unflattering behaviors for a guide dog, but they can lead to the dogs getting sick if they eat something they're not supposed to. Learning good manners at a restaurant takes time and patience and, thankfully, Zuke and Aurora have wonderful puppy raisers and an expert puppy trainer to teach them how to be the best behaved pups possible!

[Image: Guide dog-in-training Zuke in a down-stay position next to a dining booth at The Cherrity Bar.]

[Image: Guide dogs-in-training Aurora and Zuke on the covered patio at The Cherrity Bar with their puppy raisers and puppy trainer Martha Menchaca.]

[Image: Guide dog-in-training Zuke in a down-stay position in a dining area at The Cherrity Bar looking up at puppy trainer Martha Menchaca.]

NOTE OF APPRECIATION

Vision Guide Dogs would like to recognize puppy trainer Martha Menchaca for the amazing work she does with Aurora and Zuke, our guide dogs-in-training. Her dedication to and passion for our mission shine through every time she interacts with the pups as well as when she offers support and guidance to our puppy raisers. Martha, you are an incredible trainer and we are very grateful for you!

[Image: Puppy trainer Martha Menchaca holds a treat in her hand while guide dog-in-training Zuke is next to her in a sit-stay position looking up at her in anticipation of receiving the treat.]

EVENTS & INFORMATION

The Cherrity Bar:

Join Vision Guide Dogs for some fun specials events this August at the Cherrity Bar:

8/4: Singo Bingo, 5-7PM

This is Bingo with a twist. Use your music knowledge and competitive spirit to correctly identify the songs and complete a Bingo win. $5 per card.

8/12: Karaoke, 6-9PM

Pick your favorite song and join us for Karaoke night!

8/18: Happy Hour, 5-7PM

Bring your K-9 friend and join us for Happy, or should we say Yappy, Hour!

8/26: Trivia Night, 7-9PM

Gather your team and put on your thinking caps for Trivia Night! The winning team gets a prize. $10 per team.

8/31: Game-a-palooza, 6-8PM

Join us for some sighted and non-sighted games. This evening of fun is sure to be both entertaining and help you understand the challenges of our neighbors who are visually impaired!

*A portion of the event proceeds benefits Vision Guide Dogs!

Location:

The Cherrity Bar

302 Montana Street

San Antonio, TX 78203

cherritybar.com

[Image: The Cherrity Bar logo featuring two heart-shaped cherries.]

American Council of the Blind Texas Conference/Convention:

If you or a loved one are living with vision loss, or are interested in advocating for individuals who are visually impaired, ACBT invites you to attend their conference/convention. There will be sessions on advocacy, leadership, employment, aging well with vision loss, updates on eye diseases, and more. You can visit the vendor exhibit hall to learn about the latest technology and other helpful resources.

Date: August 25-27, 2023

Location:

Doubletree by Hilton San Antonio Airport

611 NW Loop 410

San Antonio, TX 78216

Registration Fee:

$65 (includes all sessions/exhibits, Saturday luncheon, Saturday evening banquet, & Sunday morning breakfast)

Day passes and meals can be purchased separately.
There are additional fees to register for the Carnival & Escape Room; Individuals can register for the Carnival & Escape Room without attending the conference. The Carnival is designed for people who are visually impaired & the Escape Room is the first accessible one of its kind in Texas!

Event Registration

[Image: The theme for the ACBT conference/convention which reads, "Riding the waves to better accessibility with ACBT," with a background of waves crashing along a white sand beach.]

The Big Give:

Everyone has the ability to be a philanthropist and make a difference! Please consider supporting Vision Guide Dogs during San Antonio's day of giving. Follow us on social media for updates!

Date: Sept. 20 - Sept. 21

(from 6PM to 6PM)

If you are interested in being a peer-to-peer fundraiser for Vision Guide Dogs during The Big Give, please contact us at: [email protected]

[Image: Logo for The Big Give San Antonio featuring the state of Texas with an arch above that reads, "10 Year Anniversary," and a digital drawing of the Tower of the Americas.]

Chicken N Pickle Doggie Days:

Bring your pup, play some fun games, and visit our booth during Chicken N Pickle's Doggie Days!

Date: September 2023 (date TBD)

Time: 6PM-9PM

Location:

Chicken N Pickle

5215 UTSA Blvd.

San Antonio, TX 78249

chickennpickle.com

[Image: digital drawing of a pickleball paddle and ball.]

Social Media:

Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest Vision Guide Dogs news and events.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Walmart's Spark Good Program:

Walmart offers a great way for you to support Vision Guide Dogs through their Spark Good program. You can donate change by rounding up your purchase to the nearest dollar at checkout on Walmart.com. Click on the button below to search for Vision Guide Dogs.

Walmart SparkGood

[Image: Walmart logo with the words "spark good" below it.]

THAT'S INTERESTING

Some venues are making great strides in accessibility for individuals who are visually impaired. One such place is Disneyland. Guide dog user Molly Burke shares her experience riding the Dumbo ride at Disneyland with her guide dog Elton John. Click on the image below to watch the video of Molly and Elton at Disneyland or click here.

To learn more about Molly's adventures as a millennial traveling around the world, who just happens to be blind, subscribe to her YouTube channel @MollyBurkeOfficial.

[Image: a screen shot of Molly Burke and her guide dog Elton John in front of the Dumbo ride at Disneyland and below it reads, "Click the image to learn more."]

Vision Guide Dogs, Inc.

Website: www.visionguidedogs.org

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (830) 206-0626

Our mission is to help individuals who are blind or visually impaired navigate the world.

Send Us A Message

Stay Connected

Visit our website at:

www.visionguidedogs.org

To Donate

Vision Guide Dogs is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.