This Newsletter is the first official update for our patrons and other interested individuals on the activities of Circle Tail (CT) since its inception in February 1997. CT's first several months were spent on organizational matters as you may well imagine. A Board of Trustees and Professional Advisory Board was formed to advance Circle Tail from a concept to a reality. A listing of these members can be found elsewhere in the newsletter.

Following Circle Tail's incorporation as a non-profit organization, CT received its approval as a tax-exempt public charity. Once these designations were received, more attention, energy and effort was focused on the development of programs and activities, many of which are highlighted throughout this newsletter.

The Board of Trustees hope that you find the contents of this newsletter informative and enjoyable to read. We have made much progress in the short time of our existence, and we are pleased to share these experiences and accomplishments with you.

Four cats and 24 dogs have entered the CT program since we opened our doors. Six dogs have been adopted out to good families and three others await placement. Four cats and two dogs will permanently reside at Circle Tail. The remaining dogs are in different stages of training.

Seven dogs currently are in the care of foster families. Three dogs have returned for advanced Assistance Dog training. Four dogs are being prepared for Pet Assisted Therapy for use in nursing homes, hospitals and other similar facilities.

In June, CT partnered its first Signal Dog, Sydney, with a local woman, Angie DelGreco, who is hearing impaired. Since that partnership, fine tuning of Sydney has been ongoing and they will soon graduate as a working team. Syd has learned to alert Angie to the telephone, door bell, smoke detector, alarm clock, the oven timer and other people. Currently 2 additional applicants have been approved. Anticipated partnership with dogs will occur in the first part of 1999.

By way of a Circle Tail brochure, Anita Dobrzelecki of Bellbrook, Ohio learned about CT endeavors. Anita breeds dogs, and she was looking for an organization to utilize them in the capacity of service dogs. What is so unique is that these are Akbash dogs - a relatively rare Turkish breed of working dog. Translated, Akbash means "white head." However, not only are their heads white, but so is the rest of their body. An Akbash is a large, trim dog, and the dogs in Anita's breeding program possess a mild disposition that makes them well suited for service work. To date, Anita has donated one adult dog and 5 puppies.

At the same time the Akbash dogs became a part of the CT family, an arrangement was made with the Marion (Ohio) Correctional Institution to foster puppies for CT. A similar program raising guide dogs had been popular with the inmates and staff, so they welcomed our organization and the pups. CT placed the 5 Akbash puppies with inmates at Marion. As with any other foster family, the inmates will have the puppies for about 1 year to raise, socialize and train them in basic obedience skills.

We wish to heartedly acknowledge and thank our local foster families who have so graciously and unselfishly devoted their time, energy and resources to raise puppies for eventual placement with a handicapped person.

Liz and Brian Davis - Maggie

In April 1998, Circle Tail Founder and President Marlys Staley reached an age milestone which will remain undisclosed. To memorialize this event, CT volunteers assembled on her birthday to construct a new building to house two goats as part of CT's animal rescue mission. Willie and Valerie, a brother/sister goat combination, were adopted from Farm Sanctuary and arrived Memorial Day weekend. The goats have enjoyed the luxury of their 320 square foot home, plentiful grazing, and visitors who have stopped by to see the new additions.

Through the animal sanctuary arm of CT, 9 dogs and 4 cats have been taken in with 6 dogs successfully adopted out to good families. CT is not intending to be the humane society, however, we are available to lend assistance in a crisis situation.

Circle Tail has established itself as a beneficiary of the PETsMART Charity program. CT regularly participates in their Luv-a-Pet adoption program on weekends and is able to benefit from charitable contributions from PETsMART.

Clermont County Humane Society (CCHS) has extended themselves to CT by donating appropriate dogs to the assistance dog program. CCHS also has allowed CT to promote its organization through its newsletter and website at www.animalshelter.com. Look us up!

Circle Tail also has established a relationship with the Warren County Humane Society. They recently donated a dog who now is in training as a signal dog.

Circle Tail has participated in several community events including the Cystic Fibrosis and League for Animal Welfare walk-a-thons, the Milford Days Parade, and Wheels for the World Day. At all events, either assistance dogs in training and/or sanctuary dogs were taken to participate in the festivities.

Circle Tail applied for a grant from The William H. Albers Foundation, Inc. of Cincinnati and had the request accepted. The money will be used to help fund the Inmate/Puppy Foster Program and provide more kennel space for Circle Tail dogs. In addition, this grant will allow CT to buy a fax machine.

Volunteers are needed and welcome to become part of a formal committee or simply to spend time to benefit the animals by exercising, grooming, or playing with them. Our current formal committees consist of public relations, foster family, recipient selection, volunteer, and fund raising. If any of these activities interest you, please contact CT at (513) 877 - 3325. Help is always appreciated!!!!

Circle Tail is in need of the supplies listed below. If you can donate any of these items, please call for directions to CT or for a volunteer to pick them up at your home.

Towels Throw rugs

Blankets Non-stretch fabric

Thread Sheets

Paper towels Collars/Leashes

Water/Food Bowls Shelving Units

Laundry soap Compact refrigerator

Storage Bins Pitch Fork

Straw Tarps

Dog shampoo Dog houses

6' high chain link fencing

InkJet Printer Paper - White/Colored

Circle Tail operates on a totally volunteer basis. Supporters of the organization have donated numerous hours of their time to get us to where we are today. Estimates place the cost of raising, training and partnering a service dog with a recipient at $8,000 to $12,000. In order to expand the CT efforts, funds are needed to help this most worthy cause. Donations to Circle Tail are fully tax deductible as allowed by Uncle Sam and most appreciated by the animals. Please consider making your end of the year charitable donation to Circle Tail, Inc.

Circle Tail has the following items for purchase:

Short sleeve T-shirt $10.00

Long sleeve mock T-shirt 15.00

Sweatshirt (forest green) 20.00

CT patches 2.50

Marlys Staley, President/Treasurer

Reg Richard, Vice-President

Brian Davis, Secretary

Liz Davis

Carol Soo

Matt Hennessey, DVM

Jenni Karwatske, CMT

Lori Staley, DVM

Darsee Staley, Attorney at Law

Joan Staley, CPA

Mark Stojakovich, COTA

Circle Tail and the animals have been recipients of many generous donations. Listed below in alphabetical order are the individuals and organizations that have assisted us to reach our present position and achieve our accomplishments of which we are proud. To each and everyone of them we express our sincerest appreciation with a great big THANKS!

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TFH Publications, Inc., Nylabone Products

Many individuals have given their time to help Circle Tail succeed to this point. We would like to recognize those who have donated so much of their time:

Organizations and individuals in the community have extended a helping hand by allowing our puppies in training in their establishment or by providing information or special services to Circle Tail. Thanks to all of them:

Bratt Printing

Delta Airlines

Kattus Pro-Team Sports, Inc.

Kroger Company

League for Animal Welfare--Sarah Skoglund

Sign*A*Rama