THE FIDELCO GUIDE DOG FOUNDATION, INC.
103 Old Iron Ore Road, Bloomfield, Conn. 06002
www.fidelco.org

NEWS RELEASE               
Contact: Jack Hayward

For Immediate Release                            
Office: 860-243-4800   
Cell: 860-970-9587

Date: October 25, 2007       

NORMA F. PFRIEM FOUNDATION
GIVES THE FIDELCO GUIDE DOG FOUNDATION, INC.
A $1 MILLION ENDOWMENT

To be Added to a $1 Million Endowment Given in 2006

            Bloomfield, Conn.- The Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc. (Fidelco) has announced that the Norma F. Pfriem Foundation of Bridgeport, Conn. has given the organization a $1 million endowment in support of its “successor dog” program. Fidelco successor dogs are fully-trained guide dogs that step into the role of retiring in-service guide dogs. Roughly half of the Fidelco placements each year are successor dogs.

            The grant is a follow-up to the $1 million endowment given by the Norma F. Pfriem Foundation to Fidelco in 2006 to fund the successor dog program. In addition to the above endowments, Pfriem and her foundation have provided Fidelco with more than $1.5 million since 1992. The funds were used for projects that include building the Norma F. Pfriem Pup House, the establishment of an apprentice trainer program and, as part of the Fidelco capital campaign, the building of the Norma F. Pfriem Pavilion.

            “Norma’s generosity caused what I call a ripple effect that continues to spread even after her passing,” said George J. Salpietro, Fidelco’s executive director. “And for 15 years, Fidelco’s clients and their families have been touched by the ripples from Norma’s caring and goodwill.”
Fidelco is New England’s only guide dog school. It breeds, trains and places its own, unique breed of German shepherd guide dogs for people who have visual disabilities. The non-profit organization relies solely on the gifts and the generosity of individuals, foundations, corporations and civic organizations.