Fidelco Guide Dog on Stage

Pictured (L-R) Nate Laviegeur from Fidelco, Lion Lyn Lyon President Brookfield Lions, Ross Kirk, Zeva and Gretchen Fisher-Orr from Fidelco.

Ross Kirk made a presentation to the Brookfield Lions about what his life was like using a white cane trying to get around and how it dramatically changed when he partnered with the Fidelco Guide dog Zeva. It went from unfolding his white cane going out, returning home, folding and putting away his cane, to harnessing Zeva, getting on a NYC bound train, walking the City, going on Medical appointments, visiting with friends, going to restaurants and taking the train back to Waterbury.

He mentioned it was not one way relationship, where Zeva did everything, Ross was responsible for the care and feeding of the dog, maintain the dog’s weight, its health, grooming, playtime, and its bathroom time. This partnership was and is a two way affair, one supports the other. The Question and Answer time following his presentation was very interesting and informative. It was a well received story and the Brookfield Lions were pleased to donate $1000 to Fidelco to help support their program.

The Lions Club is the largest Service Organization in the World with over 1.4 million members in 45,000 Local clubs located in over 200 countries and territories. The Brookfield Lions support a number of local, regional and international causes including Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Pediatric/Adult Vision Screening, Connecticut Lions Eye Research Foundation, Eyeglasses for the Needy, Red Cross Blood Drives, Ability Beyond and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The Brookfield Lions meet on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. For further information about the Brookfield Lions contact Membership Chair Kathi Hlavac irishkbh@aol.com