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       

FIDELCO GUIDE DOG FOUNDATION, INC.
QUALIFIES NEW INSTRUCTOR/TRAINER

Tommy Mourad Completes Fidelco Apprenticeship Program

            Bloomfield, Conn.-The Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc. (Fidelco) has announced that Tommy Mourad, of Wethersfield, Conn., has qualified as an instructor/trainer. In his new role, Mourad will be responsible for training Fidelco’s German shepherds as guide dogs and placing those dogs with Fidelco clients across the U.S. and Canada.

            Mourad participated in a three year apprenticeship that included training, evaluation and caring for approximately 25 dogs-in-training. As part of his apprenticeship, he was required to work blindfolded with each dog in his care, a minimum of three times in three locations. Only one in three “blindfold walks” is conducted on a predetermined route. He was also required to pass three written examinations and one oral examination.

            “The Fidelco apprenticeship program is among the most difficult in the country,” said Ron L. Labonte, director of training operations at the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc. “Because the guide dog is responsible for its handler’s safety, every decision can be a critical one with no margin for error. No dog is ready for placement until the instructor/trainer is willing to put his or her own life on the line during a blindfold test under every possible condition.”  

Fidelco breeds, trains and places its own, unique breed of German shepherd guide dogs across North America with people who have visual disabilities. Fidelco is a non-profit organization and relies solely on the gifts and the generosity of individuals, foundations, corporations and organizations that partner with us to “Share the Vision.”