The beginning of the 1999 New Year brought some administrative changes to Circle Tail, Inc. Due to job changes, Circle Tail lost three of its original board members. Liz and Brian Davis moved to Charlotte, NC and Carol Soo relocated to the Chicago area. All three individuals were invaluable as Circle Tail trudged through its early beginnings of organizational design and program planning. In addition to serving on the Board, they often spearheaded one person committees in support of Circle Tail’s visions and efforts. Carol, Liz, and Brian are missed, but always will be remembered for their unselfish contributions.

Circle Tail has been fortunate to welcome five new, extremely active board members. Our new Board members are: Angie DelGreco, Tracy Desch, Anne Grime, Janet Kempner, and Theresa Martin. These individuals bring with them a wide variety of expertise and experiences which have advanced the vision of Circle Tail already. You will read about several of these efforts in this edition of Circle Tail Times.

During the week of February 21, 1999, service/signal dog Jesse was partnered with recipient Ann Duncan from Charlotte, NC. Ann suffers from Meniere’s Disease which causes severe dizziness and loss of balance as well as progressive hearing loss. Ann needed an assistance dog who was specially trained to alert her to the phone, doorbell, alarm clock and her name. She also needed a dog who could retrieve her medication if she experienced an asthma attack. Jesse also was trained to fetch the telephone in case she fell and needed to call for help. Jesse, a shepherd/rottweiler mix who was found as a stray, was raised from puppyhood by local foster guardians Cindy and Lori. At the age of 14 months, Jesse returned to Circle Tail for advanced training. In 4 months Jesse learned the tasks and responses needed to be partnered with Ann. Ann and Jesse will work together on their skills and take the Assistance Dog Public Access Certification Test in about 1 year. Monthly updates from Ann tell us how Jesse is progressing. He is accompanying her most places and when she tells him it’s time to "get dressed", he goes and gets his head halter, leash and cape and brings them to Ann. Ann says, "Jesse is the best gift I have ever been given."

During the first six months of this year, Circle Tail has taken in 28 dogs and 3 cats. Thanks to many good-hearted, animal loving people, 20 of the dogs and 2 of the cats were adopted. 13 of the dogs were adopted during the PETsMART/North Shore Animal League adopt-a-thon on the weekend of May 1st and 2nd.

Volunteers of Circle Tail also continue their monthly visits to the PETsMARTs at Kings Auto Mall and Tri-County locations in Cincinnati. This time is used to adopt dogs, socialize dogs in training, and gain public exposure for Circle Tail. Several of our dogs have been adopted during these visits.

During the first half of 1999, Circle Tail paid to have 21 animals spayed or neutered to help control animal overpopulation. It is a Circle Tail policy that all animals must be altered before they can participate in any of the programs or be adopted. It is amazing how many animals are brought to Circle Tail intact. Pet owners can do everyone in the community a huge favor by having their pet spayed or neutered at a young age.

For several months, volunteer Nancy Stanley has been making weekly trips to the United Cerebral Palsy Center (UCP) in Cincinnati. With each visit she brings new dogs as well as consumer favorites. Nancy says she gains much personal satisfaction from the consumer responses, especially when a person is fairly hesitant at first to even touch a dog and then ends up hugging the dog. The dogs also benefit because this allows them another avenue of socialization. Other Pet Assisted Therapy volunteers include June Raber, Janet Kempner and Anne Grime.

Zena, a Rottweiler/Hound mix, had been the foster pup of Phyllis and Chris Frebis for the past year. This April, Chris & Phyllis had the difficult task of returning Zena for advanced training. Zena is a wonderfully loving dog, very bright and full of energy. Chris and Phyllis had socialized her well to all sorts of places and things, including the grocery store, airport, ball games and family reunions. Zena had already mastered retrieval work at her foster home and quickly learned to open doors and turn off lights. Zena and everyone at Circle Tail thank Phyllis and Chris for all of their love, patience, hard work and selflessness as they raised a wonderful dog who will make a handicapped person a wonderful partner.

In January, a second liaison with an Ohio correctional institution was formed in Chillicothe. Circle Tail continues its close relationship with the Marion Correctional Institution. At present, both institutions house assistance dogs in training and shelter dogs. The assistance dogs may start as puppies in the prison and receive care and training until approximately 16 months of age. At that time they return to Circle Tail for 4-6 months of advanced training. Recently, several adult dogs were placed in the prisons for obedience and advanced training. These dogs will stay approximately 6 months at the prison.

Both institutions began housing some of our shelter dogs this spring. The inmates house train the dogs and teach them good manners. This has made our shelter dogs more adoptable. In fact, many of our shelter dogs have been adopted directly from the prisons.

In addition to housing, loving, and training our dogs, the inmates have been helpful in providing other additional services. They have made us ID tags for the dogs, have sewn capes and backpacks, and have even photocopied brochures. Their assistance has been invaluable to us. Sincere appreciation is extended to all the inmates in the Circle Tail Dog Program at both Marion & Chillicothe Correctional Institutions and to Reverend Daley & Sgt. Peggy Reed (Marion) and Teresa Chaney and Beth Howison (Chillicothe) for overseeing these programs.

At the suggestion of Richard L. and Bette Jo Bere, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation approved a grant for sponsorship of an inmate/puppy team. The $1200 donation goes to supply all the needs of the puppy, including spay/neutering and other veterinary care, while the puppy is at the correctional institution. The Bere’s puppy is a female black lab that they named Vicky, in honor and memory of Mrs. Bere’s sister. The pup will go to the Marion Correctional Institution when she is approximately 16 weeks old.

Additionally, Tonia Younger has been providing partial support of an inmate/puppy team through monthly donations. Her puppy is Beccah, a long-haired Weimaraner, who lives at the Chillicothe Correctional Institution.

For the second year in a row, Circle Tail participated in the Milford Frontier Days annual parade on June 3rd.

Nine volunteers paraded with dogs donned with backpacks or capes, sewn by board member Janet Kempner, down the main street of Milford, showing off the dogs and handing out informational material. An enjoyable time was had by all on a beautiful night for a parade. Perhaps you can join us next year!

During the first six months of the new year, Circle Tail has been fortunate to receive a whole host of publicity. Newspaper articles have appeared in the Cincinnati Post, Cincinnati Enquirer, Dayton Daily News, Today’s Express, and Dog Owner’s Guide. Also, the United Cerebral Palsy newsletter had an article regarding the Pet Assisted Therapy program we provide for them, and the League for Animal Welfare newsletter introduced Circle Tail to its members.

Additionally, president Marlys Staley, along with several assistance dogs and volunteers were filmed by WCPO - Channel 9 and spotlighted in their weekly "Hometown Hero" segment. The show aired as part of the news broadcast on June 24th and 25th. Because of the local media support, we sent out 15 applications to people needing assistance dogs and received many calls from people wanting to volunteer.

A $1,000 grant was received from The Volunteer Support Program of The Procter & Gamble Company. Submitted by board member Angie DelGreco, the grant was for the purchase of a video camera and VCR for public education about Circle Tail and its programs. A videotape is being made to introduce potential assistance dog recipients to Circle Tail. Footage will be taken of the dogs in various stages of training. In addition, tapes will be produced for the public to view either upon visiting Circle Tail or during times of speaker presentations.

In addition to the grant, P&G graciously donated a 3 year supply of laundry detergent to help keep all of the animals bedding and bath towels clean and smelling fresh! Thanks P&G!!

Circle Tail has entered cyberspace with a full-fledged website created by board member Theresa Martin. Browsers can find information about Circle Tail as an organization, how to apply for an assistance dog, look for dogs for adoption, and even can print out a volunteer application or contribution form. Check us out at:

Thanks to Mike Maney of Cincinnati, Circle Tail has a new logo. Mike created the logo for us to emphasize the bonding and interaction between a dog and a person with special needs. Mike also will be designing a logo for our shelter program.

The Circle Tail Board of Trustees also revised the mission statement to capture the work of Circle Tail more fully.

Circle Tail has been the beneficiary of donations from many people and organizations over the past six months. Only with the continued support of these and donors like them will Circle Tail be able to carry on its Mission. We are pleased to see a large number of new contributors which means that more and more people think that Circle Tail is doing a good job. Contributors from January to June 1999 are listed in alphabetical order. We try to be as accurate as possible, and we would appreciate any omissions or corrections brought to our attention.

(* denotes new donor) GIFTS IN KIND

Donald Berry*
Tracy Desch
Anita Dobrzelecki
Melita Dubach*
Curt Freese*
Anne & Keith Grime
Sandy Hall*
Louise & Joseph Hoelker*
Jenni & Tim Karwatske
Janet & Bruce Kempner
Jana Lucas*
Arlene Pansiera*
Leroy & Elizabeth Schmidt*
Nancy & Robert Stanley*
John Sullivan*

Joseph Achtner
Susan Arnold*
Kristen L. Ause-Ellias*
Richard L. & Bette Jo Bere Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation*
Rosemarie Caruso*
Chillicothe Correctional Institution Inmates*
Robin Jo Corey*
Judy Cox*
Angela DelGreco
Dona DerSarkisian
Gerry Desch*
Tracy Desch
Kimberly L. Dresher*
Jennifer & Bob Drummond
Margaret A. Eigler*
Illene Ferris*
Sean P. Gallivan*
Michelle M. Gardner*
A.E. Garnett*
Holly Graham*
Anne & Keith Grime
Wendy M. Haer*
Neil Hazel*
Patty & Steve Hillyer*
Lisa M. Holscher*
Lynn & Greg Houser
Paul D. Hubrich*
Kim Hughes*
Flower & Mark Hulihan*
Sarah & Scott Johnson*
Just Saab North*
Richard Kagan, M.D.*
Marjorie E. Kendrick*
Luther J. Lemon, M.D.*
Rhonda & Alvin Levine*
Darsee Staley & David Linder
Virginia Lurie*
Theresa Martin
E. Dorothy McCourt*
Madeline L. Moles*
Sandra Norris*
Thomas B. Oxier*
Arlene Pansiera*
Joy Creek Pansiera*
Deborah & Richard Pansiera*
Pat’s Horse Care
Muddy Paws Dog Training*
Roger Penwell*
Jerrie & Richard Pitman*
Basil A. Pruitt, Jr., M.D.*
Reg Richard
Leroy & Elizabeth Schmidt*
Charles P. Shanesy, III*
Sarah E. Skoglund*
Larry Staley*
Marlys Staley
Marsha & Allen Straus*
Joseph J. Tod*
Dixie L. Vonderahe*
Tonia Younger*

In memory of Clancy, faithful companion to Bev, Ed & Carley, from Selene B. Lum*

Thanks to those in the community who have extended a welcome to our foster puppies/ dogs in advanced training by allowing them to become familiar with public buildings:

Cincinnati Animal Medical Center, Jeffrey Werwa, DVM
Dallas Veterinary Clinic, Lori Staley, DVM & Matt Hennessey, DVM
The Hartz Mountain Company
Iams Company
The Kong Company
PETsMART
The Procter & Gamble Company
TFH Publications, Inc., Nylabone Products

As Circle Tail continues to increase the number of dogs and other animals in its different programs, the task of naming all these wonderful creatures becomes a test of our imagination. You can help us out by sending us your favorite male and female names for animals. Send in your suggestions using the gift coupon at the end of this newsletter, or email us at circletail@fuse.net. Thanks, we look forward to hearing from you!.

Send your Homer, Morris or UPC symbols from a variety of Heinz pet food products to our shelter. We can turn the symbols into cash to help feed and care for our shelter animals. Look for the symbols of Homeless Homer and Morris on products such as Cycle, Kibbles ‘n Bits, Gravy Train and more. On other Heinz products, such as 9Lives and Pounce, save the UPC codes and send them until the Homeless Homer symbols appear. If you would like us to send you a pre-addressed envelop with all of the products listed, call with your address or email us.

Marlys Staley, President/Treasurer
Reg Richard, Vice-President
Theresa Martin, Secretary
Angie DelGreco
Tracy Desch
Anne Grime
Janet Kempner

Brian Davis, Attorney at Law
Liz Davis, PT
Matt Hennessey, DVM
Jenni Karwatske, CMT
Mark Korchok, DC, CCSP
Lori Staley, DVM
Darsee Staley, Attorney at Law
Joan Staley, CPA
Mark Stojakovich, COTA

Circle Tail, Inc. is grateful for any contribution you may make, whether it is items from the wish list, your time as a volunteer or a monetary donation. All donations to Circle Tail are tax deductible as allowed by law. Here are a few examples of how your gift of money can benefit Circle Tail animals and future dog recipients:

$50 will help us provide routine preventative care for 5 dogs for a month.

$100 will outfit 4 assistance dogs in training with collar, head halter, leash and cape.

$250 will help us provide veterinary care including examination, neuter, vaccines, heartworm check and fecal for 4 animals.

$500 will provide 5 dogs with harnesses, supplies and equipment for the 4-6 month advanced training period.

$1200 puppy sponsorship will provide for all veterinary costs in the puppy’s first 11/2 years including evaluations, heartworm preventative, vaccines, neutering, and hip x-rays. In addition, equipment, transportation, professional instruction and supplies needed for the puppy are included in your sponsorship.

$5200 will help us fully train an Assistance Dog, through placement and certification with a partner.