February 2026 – Future Leader Dog Roo Update
Future Leader Dog Roo has had a very busy month. We spent three weeks traveling to see family in Alabama and Florida. We traveled about 3,340 miles by car. Roo rides great in the car and slept most of the time or played with her toys. She got a little antsy during the daytime, so we made frequent stops to let her out and went for walks.
While in Florida, Roo attended the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Conference and Tradeshow with me for work. Roo was able to practice calm greetings, distractions and impulse control. While at the GCSAA Conference Roo attended three days of seminars where she laid quietly at my feet and two days of walking the tradeshow floor while I looked at new equipment and supplies. Roo was very patient and laid quietly while I talked with vendors and engineers. Roo had great impulse control and sat for about 40 minutes and watched the geese dogs do demonstrations.
Some of the things Roo did while visiting with family was seeing Daytona Beach. We also went to Disney Springs where she visited LegoLand. Roo got to spend time with my goddaughter’s son. They had a lot of fun together. Roo was a little skeptical of my sister’s pool. While trying to sniff the water her paw slipped of the pool deck and her nose went in the water. Roo did not completely fall in, but she quickly got to her feet and ran away from the pool. Roo did not like that at all.
One of the most impressive moments Roo had showing off her impulse control was while sitting on the pool deck at my hotel, a little gecko about six inches long came wondering over towards Roo while she was tethered to the chair I was sitting on. Roo watched the gecko very close as it was walking around. Roo had plenty of leash slack to get to the gecko. Yet Roo did great in impulse control and just watched. I was very proud of her in that moment.
Upon our return home Roo has continued to attend many Lions meetings and events. Roo is still trying to make friends with my cat Ash. That is still not going very well. Roo gets rapid fire smacks to the nose from Ash. Ash is getting a little more tolerant of Roo. While Roo remains very persistent.
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Join Us For Bark and Brew 5K!
Presented by Chief Financial Credit Union - June 7, 2026
Kick off your summer with a fun and scenic run through Downtown Rochester, MI. All proceeds from the Bark & Brew 5K directly support Leader Dog’s life‑changing programs and services, provided at no cost to people who are blind or have low vision.
In-person participants receive a race t-shirt, large medal, race bib, and a coupon for a free, age-appropriate beverage and food item at the post-race party.
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Join Us For Dinner in the Dark!
Presented by AAA The Auto Club Group - March 20, 2026
Our signature fundraiser will take place at the Palazzo Grande in Shelby Township, MI. Every dollar raised supports life-changing programs at no cost to our clients, empowering people who are blind or low vision to live independent, confident lives.
The evening includes a family style dinner, an open bar, hors d'oeuvres, an ice cream and cannoli platter, an espresso station, and on-location parking.
A New Issue of the Faithful Friends Newsletter Is Out!
In our latest Faithful Friends newsletter, we highlight ways we are helping Leader Dog clients — and we invite you to learn how you can make a difference.