Hello Connecticut!

Fidelco Guide Dog Client Amelia Lillie and her guide dog Morgan have been together for 6 months. As you'll hear in our conversation it was a quick bond and they are now taking over the world! 

Fidelco German Shepherd Dogs are bred from Bavarian stock to ensure ideal characteristics for guide dog work such as intelligence, temperament, stamina and stability. Fidelco guide dogs are responsible for our clients’ safety at all times. This formidable task requires an uncompromising focus on the quality of the breed, extensive training, and thoughtful matching and placement.

For 60 years, Fidelco has been unwaveringly dedicated to its mission of breeding and training our German Shepherd guide dogs - and then expertly matching them with our clients across North America who are blind or visually impaired.

Our passion is to produce the highest quality guide dogs, dogs who are partners in the engaged and vibrant lives of our clients. Our focus has never shifted from guide dogs, or from providing increased independence and mobility to you, our valued clients. When you become a Fidelco client, you benefit from not only our deeply rooted heritage but our bright and steady future as well. If you are interested in a Fidelco guide dog, or want to help, become a puppy raiser or donate visit: www.fidelco.org

James (Jim) lives in South Dakota with his wife, Linda and is the parent of two adult children. He partnered with Fidelco guide dog, “Dax” in May 2022. Diagnosed with glaucoma in the early 2000’s, Jim was declared legally blind in 2013. He is a retired forester and veteran. When Jim’s doctor told him he was eligible for services through the Veterans Administration, he decided to take advantage of these services and traveled to Chicago where he received six weeks of orientation and mobility training and support at the Hines VA Blind Rehabilitation Center. As a result of his training, Jim became a proficient white cane traveler and utilized the life skills training that he received to continue his hobbies of gardening (he’s a master gardener) and woodworking. Jim recognized that in his small community, people needed to be better educated about white cane travel by individuals with vision impairment and how to support them. With a retired teacher, Joanna Jones, who was also a parishioner at his church, Jim co-authored a children’s book, Grandpa’s White Cane, which was published in 2003. To further his goal of educating the community about white cane travel, Jim and Joanna began making presentations to students in local elementary schools. While Jim had become a proficient white cane traveler, he wanted to gain even greater independence with a Fidelco guide dog. Jim has said that having a literal set of second eyes to help him navigate has been a game changer. Busy man that he is, Dax has enabled him to travel more quickly and safely.

Photo by Spearfish Creek.  Photo of Jim in classroom with Dax with “Grandpa’s White Cane” book cover on screen behind them.

“Free to Be Me” — The Social Chase Hosts First Fundraiser Concert Gala to Support the Autism Community

Waterbury, CT — November 20, 2025 — Local nonprofit The Social Chase, Inc. is inviting media outlets to cover — and request interviews for — its First Fundraiser Concert Gala, an uplifting evening of music, celebration, and community advocacy for neurodivergent teens and adults.

The event will take place Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM at La Bella Vista, 380 Farmwood Road, Waterbury, Connecticut.

Headlining the evening:

• Chris “Big Dog” Davis — Two-time Grammy-nominated, #1 Billboard-charting producer with over 20 hit singles
• Al “DJ ACT” Taylor — Renowned Connecticut entertainer

Guests will enjoy dinner, live music, auctions, raffles, and dancing — all in support of inclusive programming for teens and adults with autism and other disabilities.

Fidelco Apprentice Instructor Saige Grace Martinelli shares her journey with Fidelco Guide Dogs with Renee DiNino.

“Why I started at Fidelco was because I fell in love with working with dogs but always wanted to do something that helped people and made a difference. During Covid I watched the documentary, Pick of the Litter, and quickly into watching it, I realized what I wanted to do with my life. Working with Fidelco has taken the two things I'm extremely passionate about, dogs and helping people, and made it my reality. I love getting asked what I do for a living because I cannot brag enough about what we do here at Fidelco. I hope someday young adults can see and here what we’re doing and have the same realization that I had.” - Sage

About

Fidelco German Shepherd Dogs are bred from Bavarian stock to ensure ideal characteristics for guide dog work such as intelligence, temperament, stamina and stability. Fidelco guide dogs are responsible for our clients’ safety at all times. This formidable task requires an uncompromising focus on the quality of the breed, extensive training, and thoughtful matching and placement.

TO find out more ways to help Fideoc visit: www.Fidelco.org

Join us for an evening of fantastic fun and fundraising.  There will be food, drinks, live music, and live and silent auctions. 

Renee DiNino speaks with Shelly Whitlock Pope, Executive Director

Shepard Meadows Equestrian Center is holding their 20^th Anniversary Celebration! 10.4.26

Get your tickets for our biggest fundraiser of the year!  Funds raised during the event will aid our mission to support the growth and overall well-being of all individuals, including those with special needs, by providing equine-assisted services (EAS) in a safe, caring and professional environment.  We can't wait to celebrate our horses, programs, and facility during this wonderful evening at the farm! www.shepardmeadows.org/farmyardparty

Justin Rigney has over 25 years of professional dog training experience and was a Law Enforcement Officer for 17 years. He spent 10 years as a K-9 handler and trainer. His unique background and experience in civilian dog training and as Police service dog training sets him a part from other trainers in his field.

In this episode of Hello Connecticut, the podcast Renee DiNino speaks to Liz DiPace, Manager of Puppy Development about becoming a puppy raiser! Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation needs people to help raise these incredible hero dogs! For more information visit www.Fidelco.org

About

Puppy Raisers take our pups at about eight weeks of age. They love and care for them. They participate in weekly classes at our Fidelco training center. Then, when the pups are approximately 14 to 16 months old, they return them to us for formal guide dog training.

Hundreds of families and individuals have participated in the Fidelco volunteer puppy raiser program over the years. They expose the pup to a wide variety of experiences in the home, on the street and in the world at large - the very things that the dogs will be required to handle as a guide for someone who is blind or visually impaired.

Fidelco puppy raisers are the first influence in the lives of our Fidelco pups. Without their love, dedication and patience, we could not produce the quality of guide dog that is a hallmark of Fidelco.

House of Heroes Connecticut Chapter

3 Cares Birdies for Charity interview with Paul Hoar from House of Heroes Connecticut Chapter inside the 3 Cares Birdies for Charity Booth at The Travelers Championship sponsored by Webster Bank! Renee DiNino will be interviewing charities daily who will enjoy and extra 15% on donations through the end of play on Sunday June 22 thanks to Webster Bank! You’ll find us attached to the mini golf platform, come say hello!

ABOUT
The mission of House of Heroes, Inc. is to recognize and honor military and public safety veterans and/or their spouses who have served our country faithfully and sacrificially. Through providing support to these veterans and their spouses, House of Heroes, Inc. Volunteers attempt to express gratitude that can never be adequately expressed in words alone.

www.hohct.org

3 Cares Birdies for Charity interview with Robin Sharp of Easter Seals Capital Region & Eastern CT inside the 3 Cares Birdies for Charity Booth at The Travelers Championship sponsored by Webster Bank! Renee DiNino will be interviewing charities daily who will enjoy and extra 15% on donations through the end of play on Sunday June 22 thanks to Webster Bank! You’ll find us attached to the mini golf platform, come say hello!

www.easterseals.com/hartford

Northern Middlesex YMCA

3 Cares Birdies for Charity interview with Betsy Schroeder of  Northern Middlesex YMCA inside the 3 Cares Birdies for Charity Booth at The Travelers Championship sponsored by Webster Bank! Renee DiNino will be interviewing charities daily who will enjoy and extra 15% on donations through the end of play on Sunday June 22 thanks to Webster Bank! You’ll find us attached to the mini golf platform, come say hello!

ABOUT

Our journey is not just about sports but also about providing our youth with educational and civic opportunities that empower them to achieve personal excellence and become catalysts of positive change in their communities.www.harlowsheroes.com The Northern Middlesex YMCA offers a path toward a fuller more productive life. The YMCA will provide to a broad spectrum of our community, high quality programs, services, and facilities that improve individual and family life, encourage healthier life styles and assist youth in developing into responsible adulthood.

www.midymca.org

Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders

3 Cares Birdies for Charity interview with John Torres and Liliana Serrano of Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders inside the 3 Cares Birdies for Charity Booth at The Travelers Championship sponsored by Webster Bank! Renee DiNino will be interviewing charities daily who will enjoy and extra 15% on donations through the end of play on Sunday June 22 thanks to Webster Bank! You’ll find us attached to the mini golf platform, come say hello!

ABOUT

Our journey is not just about sports but also about providing our youth with educational and civic opportunities that empower them to achieve personal excellence and become catalysts of positive change in their communities.www.harlowsheroes.com

www,bcyl.org