Vision Guide Dogs The Atlas Newsletter

VISION GUIDE DOGS

NEWSLETTER

SEPTEMBER 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."]

Extra, Extra! Read All About It! Zuke is Advancing!

[Image: Guide dog-in-training Zuke in a sit-stay position facing the camera with his mouth open and tongue hanging out and trees in the background.]

We are beyond thrilled to announce that guide dog-in-training Zuke has completed Puppy Training and will be entering Advanced Training this month! Thank you to our incredible supporters for making this possible in our first year of operation! We would not be able to do this without you. During the Puppy Training phase, Zuke learned basic commands such as sit, stay, leave it, and down as well as how to behave in restaurants, schools, stores, and more! He is excited to start learning the skills that will allow him to safely guide an individual who is blind or visually impaired one day. Be sure to follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on how Zuke is doing in Advanced Training.

PUPPY PICS

Guide dogs-in-training Zuke and Aurora have been busy socializing and practicing their basic commands. They went to the Cibolo Creek Nature Park, American Council of the Blind of Texas Conference, Oklahoma University, lots

of events at The Cherrity Bar, and many more places to work on their puppy training. Their puppy raisers are doing a great job of exposing them to a variety of sights, sounds and smells!

[Image: Guide dog-in-training Aurora walking across a footbridge at Cibolo Creek Nature Park with board member and puppy raiser Elizabeth Hepp.]

[Image: Guide dog-in-training Zuke in a sit-stay position in front of the Vision Guide Dogs booth at the American Council of the Blind of Texas Conference.]

[Image: Guide dog-in-training Aurora in a sit-stay position in front of a lamppost with a red OU flag on the Oklahoma University campus.]

NOTE OF APPRECIATION

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

A huge thank you to The Cherrity Bar for giving us the opportunity to be their August charity of the month. We had so much fun chatting with patrons while participating in some entertaining activities like karaoke, listening to live music, and playing games. We thoroughly enjoyed the delicious food and drinks as well! VGD is grateful for your commitment to supporting, not only our mission, but so much of the great work that people are doing in our community!

EVENTS & INFORMATION

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

Chicken N Pickle Doggie Days:

We are excited to kick-off the Big Give season! Bring your pup, play some pickleball and other fun games, and visit our booth during Chicken N Pickle's Doggie Days!

Date: September 13 & 20, 2023

Time: 6PM-9PM

Location:

Chicken N Pickle

5215 UTSA Blvd.

San Antonio, TX 78249

chickennpickle.com

[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. Next to the logo is one of VGD's taglines: Sit. Walk. Change a life.]

The Big Give:

Everyone has the ability to change a life! Please consider supporting Vision Guide Dogs during San Antonio's day of giving. Whether you join Aurora, our "Sit" champion, or "Walk" with Zuke who is ready to move on to Advanced Training, you will help us "Change a life" with your donation!

Date: 6PM on Sept. 20 to 6PM on Sept. 21

***EARLY GIVING BEGINS SEPTEMBER 13***

Please follow us on social media for updates regarding our Big Give pop-up events! Our Big Give donation webpage will go live on September 13. Please click here or the button below to view our page.

The Big Give

[Image: A blind woman walking with a white cane to assist with avoiding obstacles.]

San Antonio White Cane Awareness Day:

The National Federation of the Blind of Texas invites everyone in the community to learn more about the white cane during San Antonio’s White Cane Awareness Day. There will be special presentations and performances as well as local organizations providing resources and information. Speakers include Tracy Minish, a former NASA employee who is blind, and an accomplished high school student who also happens to be blind. For more information on the history of White Cane Awareness Day and white canes in general, you can click here or the button below to visit the website for the National Federation of the Blind.

Date: October 12, 2023

Time: 9:15AM white cane walk begins, 10AM program start time

Location:

Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair Park

434 S. Alamo St. (VIA drop-off: 611 Hemisfair Blvd.)

San Antonio, TX 78205

"Embrace independence, unleash the power of the white cane."

National Federation of the Blind

HOW YOU CAN HELP

[Image: Speech bubble containing the words, "Volunteers Needed."]

Volunteer:

Vision Guide Dogs is a volunteer led organization and we are able to do what we do because we have a community of committed, active, and engaged individuals willing to help. We are looking for more volunteers and have a variety of roles available depending on your interests. They include puppy raiser, puppy sitter, event support, Ambassador, Sighted Guide, and more! If you are interested in helping with the mission of Vision Guide Dogs, please contact us to learn more and request a volunteer application:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (830) 206-0626

Send A Message

THAT'S INTERESTING

There is amazing work being done in terms of architectural design to make spaces more inviting and accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Check out this video of architect Chris Downey highlighting such a space that he designed. Perhaps it will give you some ideas for your own workplace or business!

Architect Chris Downey who is blind describes a space he designed.

[Image: Click the image to play the YouTube video of architect Chris Downey explaining one of the inclusive and accessible spaces he designed."]

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

DONATE

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

Federal Tax ID 92-0898185