Fidelco client SSgt Michael Malarsie, USAF (Ret) with his Fidelco Guide Dog “Xxon”

Heroes will again be honored at the fourth annual Ride for Independence to benefit the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation in Bloomfield, Connecticut on Sunday, July 20th. This family-friendly motorcycle fundraiser celebrates the freedom and independence that Fidelco Guide Dogs bring to men and women who are blind across North America, especially blinded military personnel.

The family-friendly event begins and ends at Fidelcos beautiful Bloomfield campus. Riders enjoy a scenic, police-escorted 50 mile route through the Farmington Valley and return to Fidelco for a gourmet barbeque lunch by Black Eyed Sallys, a live concert by the Southern rock band SHOVELHEAD and more. Non-riders are encouraged to attend to cheer on the riders and enjoy lunch, vendors, entertainment, on-site K-9 demonstrations and Fidelco puppy visits.

The 2014 Ride for Independence Grand Marshal is a blinded military hero and Fidelco client, Staff Sergeant Michael Malarsie, USAF (Ret). Malarsie was blinded in an IED attack while serving in Afghanistan in 2010. One year later, with his Fidelco Guide Dog Xxon leading the way, Michael returned to work as the only blind airman on active duty in the Air Force.

Fidelcos Field of Flags — a tribute featuring more than 500 American flags planted in honor of fallen military heroes, first responders, veterans and personal heroes — will be on display. For a $ 10 donation, a flag will be added to the Field of Flags on the day of the event or online at http://www.fidelco.org/honoryourheroes.

WHO: Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, blinded military hero SSgt Michael Malarsie (interviews available) WHAT: 2014 Ride for Independence motorcycle event to benefit Fidelco WHEN: Sunday, July 20, 2014; Registration 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; ride leaves at noon, lunch served at 1:30; K-9 demos all day Day-of registration: $ 40/bike (includes passenger) Non-rider: $ 15 each (includes lunch) WHERE: Fidelco, 103 Vision Way (formerly Old Iron Ore Road), Bloomfield, CT 06002 WHY: To support Fidelcos mission of promoting increased freedom and independence to men and women who are blind, especially blinded military personnel, by providing them the highest quality German Shepherd Guide Dogs

ABOUT SSGT MALARSIE: On January 3, 2010, in the remote mountains of Afghanistan, then-Senior Airman Michael Malarsie was blinded and severely wounded by a powerful improvised explosive device (IED) that killed four team members and blew him off a bridge. Blinded and broken, Michael stayed in the fight loading ammunition for his comrades. He was later awarded the Bronze Star with Valor for heroism on the battlefield.

Exactly one year later, following months of determined rehabilitation and painful facial surgeries, Michael was partnered with his Fidelco Guide Dog Xxon. Michael returned to active duty status as the only blind airman serving in the United States Air Force, leading a Wounded Airman Recovering Mentorship Program to help other wounded veterans transition to civilian life.

About Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation The Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Bloomfield, CT. Fidelco is an internationally accredited organization and an admired expert throughout the world for its highly valued German Shepherd Guide Dogs.

Each Fidelco Guide Dog takes two years, 15,000 hands-on hours and $ 45,000 to produce. They are given to clients at no cost. Fidelco provides 24/7 client support for the entire working life of its guide dogs typically 10 years. Fidelco relies solely on the generosity and financial support of individuals, foundations, corporations and civic organizations to help Share the Vision.

Fidelco has trained and placed over 1,350 German Shepherd Guide Dogs throughout North America in 41 states and five Canadian provinces. Fidelco pioneered In-Community Placement in the United States a process that allows all guide dog users to be trained in the communities where they live and work.

Fidelco also has placed hundreds of its German Shepherd Dogs with law enforcement agencies, first responders, search and rescue, and missing child recovery organizations to help protect our fellow citizens and keep our communities safe.

For more information, please visit http://www.fidelco.org or like us on Facebook at facebook.com/fidelcoguidedog

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10-year-old Entrepreneur Keith Boyd with his mentor Thrive15 CEO Clay Clark

Ten-year-old Keith Boyd, CEO of Keiths Ice Cold Lemonade Stand, is teaming up with entrepreneurship education resource Thrive15 and several local businesses to make lemonade out of lemons. Boyd, who was born with nonverbal cerebral palsy and is unable to use his arms, legs or mouth, set out to raise $ 250,000 for The Little Light House, a Tulsa-based development center for children with special needs. The Little Light House gifted him with the technology that allows him to now verbally communicate. The Tobii EyeMobile is a tool that allows Boyd to communicate by using his eyes to type what he wants to say on a screen, which is then verbalized by the tool. In response to this gift, Boyd crafted a business plan to set up lemonade stands around Tulsa for the summer, the proceeds of which would benefit The Little Light House.

“My goal is to raise money for The Little Light House where I went to school until I was six. They have done so much for me; I want to give back so other kids can go to that school without paying any money,” said Keith Boyd.

Recognizing Boyds entrepreneurial spirit, local franchised Chick-fil-A Operator and Thrive15 mentor Arthur Greeno reached out to Keiths parents to ask how he could make the lemonade stands become a reality. Greeno enlisted the help of other Thrive15 mentors, who helped create a website for the lemonade stands and to secure local sponsors and media partners for the initiative. Additionally, Greeno secured donations of lemons and tea for the stands.

I knew I had to meet Keith when I heard his story, said Greeno. I was so inspired when he shared his business plan with me that he had written with his eyes. Many people dream big, but to take action is very admirable.

Thrive15 was honored to provide Keith the tools he needs to succeed in business, says Thrive15 CEO Clay Clark. Keith reminds us that it doesnt matter what your circumstances are, you can thrive if you are diligent.

Keiths Ice Cold Lemonade Stands will launch on Wednesday, June 18 at ten Tulsa area business locations and will be open every Wednesday from June 18 through August 20 between the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For donation of any amount, guests will receive a cup of either Chick-fil-A Lemonade or Chick-fil-A Sweet Tea. For donations of $ 100 or more, guests will receive a reusable Chick-fil-A cup that they can take to any Tulsa-area Chick-fil-A restaurant through August 20 for unlimited beverage refills.

Participating sponsors of Keiths Ice Cold Lemonade Stand include: Thrive15.com, Tulsa-area Chick-fil-A restaurants, Bob Hurley Ford, Lawn America, KOKI Fox 23, The Apothecary Shoppe, The Vintage Pearl, The Journey Training, M&M Lumber Co., Sunkist, Tetley, TetleyHarris Food Group, Lamar Advertising Group, American Waste Control, Halo Branded Solutions, Domino Foods, Bryan Smith State Farm Agency, E-Z Up, Red Dog Construction and Healthy Living Games.

Keith’s Ice Cold Lemonade Stand Quick Facts:

http://www.KeithsIceColdLemonade.com For more information about Keiths Ice Cold Lemonade Stand, or to donate, visit Facebook, the website or contact Thrive15.com.

Thrive15.com Quick Facts:

Website – http://www.thrive15.com Thrive15.com provides entertaining online education for entrepreneurs taught by millionaires and everyday success stories including, NBA Hall of Fame Basketball Player, David Robinson, for Executive Vice President of Walt Disney World Resorts, Lee Cockerell, Tulsa’s own best-selling author Clifton Taulbert, founder of Regent Bank Sean Kouplen, Oklahoma’s Small Business Administration Entrepreneur of the Year, Clay Clark.

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This video is about “how to properly train a dog” Watch These Videos also: how to house train your dog https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97QEfRqZP_I how to housetrain a puppy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr8O4iwigM4 how to leash train a dog https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Qu7i2nNGtQ how to leash train a puppy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=infOMArR7WQ how to potty train dog https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEeIpvuNy9A how to potty train puppy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2Blg4YTxto

When it comes to housebreaking, crate training puppies is probably the best method of education. Most veterinarians recommend this technique over all others. By nature, dogs enjoy having their own small, personal space. They understand how to take care of this area, which includes not soiling the floor. This is the primary reason why crate training is such a good idea when housebreaking your dogs.

In order to properly train your puppies, you must have a crate that is just the right size for them. This may mean paying a small one now and upgrading at a later date, but the size is important. You want to be sure your dog has enough room to step in, turn around, and lie down inside the crate. Having one that is too large can cause the puppy to use the restroom on one end and lay on the other, which defeats the purchasing of crate training. The location of the crate should be a quiet area, as your dog is likely to use it as a place to rest during the day and sleep at night.

The difficulty involving crate training puppies will depend on the dog. Some will love having their own place, while others will need a bit of coaxing in the beginning. Getting your dog to like his crate can involve treats if necessary. Place a treat inside the crate and command your dog to go inside. Eventually, your puppy will start to go in and look for a treat even when you have not commanded him.

Insecure puppies need a great deal of patience when crate training. You may have to begin by shutting the door and standing nearby for a few seconds, then opening it back up and presenting the dog with a treat. You can then work your way up from there. Eventually, you want to be able to shut the door with the dog inside the crate and then leave the room for several minutes without it stressing your dog out. If you have a whining dog, do not let him out while it is still making noise. Allow it to get quiet before letting him out. Also, do not make letting him out be an exciting event, or he will never want to stay inside his crate. Never use the crate as punishment if you want him to enjoy the area.

Once you have completed the crate training portion of housebreaking, you can then work on getting your dog to go out at certain times. It is important that you puppy be on a strict eating schedule if you are going to be letting him outdoors at certain times. He will learn to hold it and eliminate when he is allowed outside. Dogs can typically wait one hour for every month of their age. Therefore, a two month old dog will need to be let out every two hours to use the restroom. Do not punish your puppy for occasional accidents, especially while you are still working on getting him housebroken.

Crate training puppies is possibly the most effective way to housebreak your pet. With the crate, he will have a nice place of his own that he will not want to mess up. Therefore, he will learn not to go inside the house, and can get on a schedule of going when he is let outside.

Fresh Patchmaker of the real-grass, disposable dog pottyjoins with many other dog-friendly Americans in welcoming The Weather Channels new therapy dog, Butler.

For several months, The Weather Channel has been conducting a search for a therapy dog that will bear its name, and will travel as its emissary to places struck by natural disasters. Chosen from five finalists, Butler will be an ambassador for both The Weather Channel and for the American Humane Association, which worked together in this effort.

A young shepherd mix, Butler was rescued from the Humane Society of Charlotte, North Carolina. Butler will be trained by Amy McCullough, the National Director of Animal-Assisted Therapy for the American Humane Association. McCullough says that she will train Butler at her home in Colorado, with the goal of registering him as a therapy dog in time for the storm season this spring.

Hurricane Sandy and other natural disasters have shown that therapy dogs can be a valuable aid to individuals and families who are experiencing tremendous loss. A therapy dog can be a source of comfort and hope. According to McCullough, The Weather Channel will be keeping its viewers posted on Butlers training, and will follow his service as a therapy dog. Updates will be posted on Butlers Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/therapydogbutler

Like other fans of The Weather Channel, the Fresh Patch Company has been captivated by the stations search for a therapy dog, and was glad to see that Butler was given the important role. Our company was just one of many Weather Channel viewers who found the process engaging. Because we are a dog-focused company, we like to applaud programs and events that recognize the enormous contributions dogs make to people and to society, says a Fresh Patch spokesperson.