August 5-11, 2012 International Assistance Dog Week

A Tribute To Service / Assistance Dogs

International Assistance Dog Week was established due to the efforts of Marcie Davis, a paraplegic for over 35 years and CEO of Davis Innovations, a consulting firm based in Santa Fe, NM.

International Assistance Dog Week

Davis is the author of “Working Like Dogs: The Service Dog Guidebook,” and she is the host of the Internet radio program, “Working Like Dogs,” at http://www.petliferadio.com/.

International Assistance Dog Week was created to recognize all the devoted, hardworking assistance dogs helping individuals with disability-related limitations.

The Assistance Dogs help transform the lives of their human partners with physical and mental disabilities by serving as their companion, helper, aide, best friend and close member of their family.

The goals are to recognize and honor the assistance dogs; raise awareness and educate the public about how these specially trained animals are aiding  people in our communities; honor the puppy raisers and trainers of assistance dogs; and recognize heroic deeds performed by assistance dogs in our communities.

America's VetDogs CFC

Description of the Various Types of Assistance Dogs

Guide Dogs. Assist people with vision loss, leading these individuals around physical obstacles and to destinations such as seating, crossing streets, entering or exiting doorways, elevators and stairways.

Service Dogs. Assist people with disabilities with walking, balance, dressing, transferring from place to place, retrieving and carrying items, opening doors and drawers, pushing buttons, pulling wheelchairs and aiding with household chores, such as putting in and removing clothes from the washer and dryer.

Hearing Alert Dogs. Alert people with a hearing loss to the presence of specific sounds such as doorbells, telephones, crying babies, sirens, another person, buzzing timers or sensors, knocks at the door or smoke, fire and clock alarms.

Seizure Alert/Seizure Response Dogs. Alert or respond to medical conditions, such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes, epilepsy, panic attack, anxiety attack, post-traumatic stress and seizures.

Medical Alert/Medical Response Dogs. Alert to oncoming medical conditions, such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes, epilepsy, panic attack, anxiety attack, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Assistance dogs are allowed to accompany their human partners to places of business including restaurants and shops. Under state law and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), they are guaranteed equal access to any and all establishments and accommodations; no extra charge can be levied because of the dog.

Resources.

International Assistance Dog Week (www.assistancedogweek)
Working Like Dogs (http://www.workinglikedogs.com/)

Assistance Dogs International (http://www.assistancedogsinternational.org/)
International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (http://www.iaadp.org/)

Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon Help Jerry's Kids

The first Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon was broadcasted over Labor Day weekend in 1966 by one TV station in New York City. Now, more than 40 years later, the show will be broadcast by more than 170 MDA “Love Network” stations, assisted by approximately 250,000 volunteers across the country. Nearly 40 million people will see the show.

In 1998, MDA's Telethon made history as the first telethon seen around the world via Internet simulcast.

Jerry’s goal of raising “one dollar more” than the previous year’s total has been more than met almost every year, thanks to the generosity and compassion of the American public.

To make a donation,
click the link for the MDA website.

Where Telethon Dollars Go

The Telethon is the single most important fundraising event of the year for MDA. Funds raised help the Association carry on its fight against muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases, including a worldwide program of basic and applied research, a nationwide network of comprehensive medical and support services, and extensive professional and public education. Children and adults with muscle-damaging diseases benefit directly from dollars raised during the Telethon.

Strolling through the Archives of MDA

Early MDA telethon, mid-1960s.

Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin
Reunion on the MDA Telethon

Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis reunite after twenty years on the 1976 MDA Jerry Lewis Telethon. Frank Sinatra surprises Jerry by bringing on Dean and then some nervous and hilarious clowning between the two ensue. This is followed by a medley of American Standards by Dean and Frank. In two parts, this is the complete segment of the reunion. An important and historic piece of entertainment history.

Sammy & Jerry Friendship

from 1987 MDA Telethon

A Dedication to Mattie Stepanek (7/17/90-6/22/04)

Mattie Stepanek was a 13 year old boy who had a rare form of
muscular dystrophy. He was a poet, a peacemaker, and a hero.
The song is "He Was Just Like Me" was written and recorded by Mattie's friend
Madison Cross in memory of him.

To make a donation,
click the link for the MDA website.

MDA Tribute to Ed McMahon (1923 – 2009)

Muscular Dystrophy Association (PBS)

To make a donation,
click the link for the MDA website.

Abbey Umali Sings "For Good" on the
2009 MDA Labor Day Telethon

Abbey Umali - Jerry Lewis
MDA Telethon Collection

2009 MDA Telethon finale,
“You’ll never walk alone”

To make a donation,
click the link for the MDA website.