Guide Dogs are a Veteran's Best Friend

Wiltonians attending Georgetown Day surely spotted several red-jacketed German Shepherd puppies.

Someday those pups will become just like Legend, a guide dog newly assigned to Tech. Sgt. Matthew Slaydon. In fact, Legend is just one of several guide dogs trained by Fidelco, New England's only service dog organization.

In 2007 Slaydon was on his third tour of duty in Iraq. While on patrol in Kirkuk a roadside IED exploded two feet from his face. The explosive ordinance disposal technician lost his left arm and vision in the inferno. The explosion also caused a chipped tooth, collapsed lung, and traumatic brain injury.

Medically retired from the US Air Force in 2009, Slaydon spent 15 months in Phoenix, Arizona recovering from his injuries with the unwavering devotion of his wife Annette.

That's where Slaydon's story converged with the work of Redding resident Eliot Russman.

While attending a Blinded Veterans Conference in Phoenix, Slaydon learned about Fidelco. The organization, based in Bloomfield, Conn., has trained dogs for 50 years. It counts wounded veterans among its many clients.

Slaydon knew that with a guide dog by his side he'd reach his target: independence.

"We feel privileged to give to him. He's a hero," said Russman, Fidelco's CEO and executive director.

Last Sunday Russman and several trainers attended Georgetown Day. Aside from the foster pups, five blue-jacketed guide dogs in training were present. And local residents may see more of the dogs as the 50-year-old organization expands its foster pup program to Fairfield County.

"You will fall in love with the puppies," said State Sen. Toni Boucher, a long-time Fidelco supporter.

Foster families receive future guide dogs when they are eight weeks old. The families take the dogs to classes and expose them to a variety of social situations, such as going to the office or shopping.

The dogs return to Fidelco when they are between 14 and 16 months. They then undergo formal training with one of Fidelco's 15 professional trainers for between six and nine months.

"It's bittersweet, but rewarding," said Lisa Russman about watching pups leave for placement.

What separates Fidelco from other guide dog organizations is its in-community placement. That means Fidelco trainers work one-on-one in the client's place of residence. They spend three weeks ensuring the person and dog work safely in sync.

Yet because of his prosthetic left arm, Slaydon couldn't follow the program.

"Guide dogs are normally trained to be on the left. But Slaydon lost his left arm," said Russman.

So Fidelco brought Slaydon to its Bloomfield's campus. He needed a customized harness and handle to use with his prosthetic left hand.  Slaydon wanted to keep his right hand free for normal activities, like carrying groceries and books as he pursues a PhD.

"He is so determined to make this thing work," Russman said.

Fidelco has served blinded veterans since Korea. But as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continue Fidelco expects it will have more wounded soldiers as clients, particularly since sight loss and traumatic brain injury are so prevalent.

"Unfortunately it's a growing need that's not going away," said Jack Hayward, Fidelco's director of communications.

Fidelco uses German shepherds exclusively because of their "temperament, stamina, and intelligence," Russman said.

About 85 percent of dogs in training become guide dogs. The rest find themselves with the Connecticut State police or in adoptive homes. Guide dogs work for eight to ten years and Fidelco checks them yearly. The organization relies on donations to offset the $45,000 cost of the dogs. It also depends on a bevy of volunteers who foster the pups.

Because the program has been around so long, nearly 50 percent of the organization's dogs are 'successor dogs' that succeed recently retired dogs from Fidelco or other schools.

 "This is a labor of love," Russman said. "It's a chance for our family to give back to those who are in need."