Yazzie, Harvey & Lewis's Fidelco Guide Dog In Training, is now 4 months old. She’s gaining about 3-4 pounds a week (!) and experiencing more and more of the big world around her every day. All the lessons she is learning and all the skills she is mastering will one day serve her well as she becomes the eyes of a Fidelco client who is blind or visually impaired.

Every Saturday, our family heads out to Fidelco's headquarters in Bloomfield for an hour-long puppy training class for Yazzie and her siblings. It is both fascinating and inspiring to witness firsthand just how many volunteers it takes to make this operation run: When we arrive on campus, we're made to feel welcome by a greeter, and we are then approached by another volunteer who asks whether Yazzie needs any food. Then, yet another friendly friend of Fidelco brushes Yazzie before we head in to the training center, where we are greeted by trainers and volunteer class assistants. Did I mention there's another class taking place right next door to ours? That's right! Two puppy classes take place every hour between 9 and noon every Saturday. Talk about cute!

Some of the Volunteer Puppy Raisers who are raising Yazzie’s siblings have raised puppies for Fidelco before. In fact, one of the families in our litter is raising its sixth Fidelco puppy! But, most of the families are new to the program, like us. And I think I can speak for them when I say this is among the best decisions we've ever made!

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we at Harvey & Lewis would like to thank all the countless, passionate volunteers who, along with Fidelco's committed donors, work alongside Fidelco's dedicated (and tireless) staff members day after day to fulfill Fidelco's mission of providing increased independence to men and women who are blind or visually impaired by partnering them with an incredible Fidelco Guide Dog!