GDUI 2008 National Convention
The GDUI Suite will be open from Saturday afternoon until Thursday afternoon. Specific hours of operation will be determined later. Dog related products are sold in the suite rather than in the exhibit hall. The suite also serves as a place where guide dogs and their handlers can relax. There will be a vet tech to assist with nail trimming, ear cleaning, minor skin ailments, etc.
12:00 pm. Hotel and surrounding area orientation. Your favorite guide dog instructors teach you how to teach your dogs the best convention routes guaranteed to get you where you need to be on time and in one piece. Participants will meet at the GDUI Suite.
2:30 pm. Affiliate Roundup meeting; Kay Malmquist, Janesville, WI; Affiliate representatives should plan to attend this meeting.
4:00 pm. GDUI board meeting.
5:00 pm. Second Hotel and Surrounding Area Orientation.
7:00 am. Breakfast club. Walk to a close by restaurant for a delicious fast break from the hotel, and be back just in time for general session. Breakfast Club will be an official GDUI option Monday through Thursday, for canine teams and cane travelers alike
1:30 pm. Opening ceremonies; Aloha GDUI; Sheila Styron, Kansas City, MO.
2:30 pm. Around the world with guide dogs; Tone Mathisen, Lillehammer, Norway; other international reports and a special tribute to Michael Osborn
3:30 pm. What you need to Know about the guide dog schools: where to go, who to talk to and when to tune in to learn more; Becky Barnes, Mount Kisco, NY.
8:00 pm. river walk: An evening waterfront stroll with many new attractions since our last convention in 2001.
7:00 am. Breakfast club.
1:30 pm. How much is too much? Panel will discuss assessment, requirements and training for low vision clients; representatives from Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Guide Dog Foundation and the Seeing Eye.
2:30 pm. Hot Topics for Guide Dog Handlers: town hall style discussion; Sheila Styron.
3:30 pm. ACB caucus; Sheila Styron.
7:00 pm. GDUI Auction Preview
8:00 pm. GDUI Auction; Find out which great items your budget will fetch this time around
7:00 am. Breakfast club.
12:30 pm. GDUI Luncheon; keynote speaker, Attorney Michael A. Lilly, Honolulu, Hawaii, Update on how landmark settlement along with sustained effort in “breaking down barriers” paved the way for other service animal teams and ultimately the general public.
2:30 pm. Simon Sez Rally; Trish Simon, Borden Indiana; Human signs will instruct guide dog teams to perform familiar obedience commands sequentially at indoor stations, a lighthearted competition you and your guide could win.
7:00 pm. Louisville Luau! Join GDUI’s Hawaii party aboard the Spirit of Jefferson where Hawaiian outfits will blend with island appetizers, a brief entertainment and cash bar.
7:00 am. Breakfast club.
1:30 pm. Leaderdogs leading the way; an update on innovative school programs; Leaderdogs for the Blind, Rochester, MI.
2:00 pm. How many guide dog puppies does it take to steal your heart? puppy raisers from Guiding Eyes for the Blind will provide the answer.
8:00 pm. Maintaining good health in our guides, Rusty Gailor, D.V.M., Louisville, KY: Dr. Rusty Gailor will provide the often overlooked basics of canine health maintenance, from tooth care and the importance of daily grooming to vaccination protocols and first aide.
Gailor Animal Hospital
7422 Old Third Street Road
Louisville, KY 40214
Telephone: 502-367-6400
Gailor Animal Hospital is open 9 to 6 Monday through Friday and from 9
until noon on Saturdays. One of the three staff vets is always on call, and they will see
patients after hours.
