Special Announcement for Northwest Ohio

Hi all,

I received an e-mail today, as Nick is a graduate of Assistance Dogs of America where he received his service dog, Charger. The announcement is of a partnership for the Northwest Ohio area with The Ability Center of Greater Toledo and Assistance Dogs of America. Here is a copy of the e-mail I received:

Dear ADAI Graduate,

We thank you for your continued support and involvement with Assistance Dogs and we have an exciting update to share.

October 9, The Ability Center of Greater Toledo and Assistance Dogs shared an important announcement. The two organizations, with long compatible missions, are forming a strategic partnership to better meet the needs of the disability community. This partnership allows the organizations to:

Ø Create greater operational efficiency by eliminating duplication of functions

Ø Train more dogs to serve a greater number of people

Ø Increase public awareness about the possibilities and value of full accessibility for all

Ø Promote internal discussion and planning about new kinds of service and delivery

Under the new collaboration, Assistance Dogs becomes a dedicated program of the Ability Center and will move its headquarters to the Ability Center campus on Monroe Street in Sylvania next spring. Private funding is being sought to renovate the Ability Center’s current Housing Resource Center for that purpose. The resource center will be relocated to a new facility on the Ability Center Campus on Skelly Road in Sylvania.

Although some things are changing, ADAI graduates will continue to receive the same level of dedicated support, advice and additional training from the Assistance Dogs staff. In fact, our new facility will be fully accessible (and have two accessible bathrooms in the facility!) with more room for brush-up classes and plenty of parking for visiting graduates and their dogs.

Financial gifts will continue to be made payable to Assistance Dogs. All gifts will be designated according to your wishes.

Governance of Assistance Dogs will transfer to the Ability Center Board of Directors this month and ten current staff members of Assistance Dogs will become Ability Center employees. Assistance Dogs board members will continue to play a critical role in this transition, serving for the next year as an Advisory Council.

This is truly an exciting time for both organizations and we’re pleased to share this news with you. Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 419-825-3622, ext. 224 or Jenny Barlos at 419-825-3622, ext 236.

Sincerely,

Jan Brown,
Program Director
Assistance Dogs
See this link for another story:

http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2011/10/09/Local-agencies-for-assistance-disabled-link-up.html

Jan Fought Brown
Director
Assistance Dogs
8806 State Route 64
Swanton. OH 43558
419-825-3622 ext 224
Assistance Dogs is a program of The Ability Center