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<DIV><FONT size=4>Thought this would be of interest.</FONT></DIV><BR><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Welcome to Top Dog 2017
from Dixieland Guide Dog Users, Georgia Guide Dog Users and from host chapter,
Guide Dog Users of Florida and from your Top Dog 2017 team, <BR>Kathleen
Trutschel, Registrar, Sue Harden, Exhibits Coordinator and Debbie Grubb
Program Coordinator.<BR><BR><BR>We want to express our gratitude to the
following guide dog schools who have brought to this event individuals with
specific expertise and commitment to the movement. <BR><BR><BR><BR>The
Guide Dog Foundation<BR><BR>Guiding Eyes for the Blind<BR><BR>The Seeing
Eye<BR><BR>Southeastern Guide Dogs<BR><BR><BR><BR>We also wish to extend our
thanks to the following organizations for their significant financial
contributions <BR><BR><BR>Helping Hands for the Blind<BR><BR>The Florida Council
of the Blind<BR><BR>Coalition for the Concerns of the Totally Blind<BR><BR>The
Greater Orlando Council of the Blind<BR><BR>We wish to express our gratitude to
the Top Dog 2017 Webmaster, Ryan Mann<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>Event Dates:
Friday, January 13 through Sunday, January 15, 2017. <BR><BR><BR>Event
hotel: The Holiday Inn And Suites across from Universal Orlando, 5905 Kirkman
Road; Orlando, FL 32819. You may reach the hotel by telephone at (407) 351-3333
or (800) 216-0635. <BR><BR>In this document you will find
instructions for event and hotel room registration; discount ground
transportation from the airport to the event hotel; instructions to register
with Orlando Paratransit, Access Lynx; and details about the program.
<BR><BR><BR>We have been anticipating Top Dog 2017 since we left Charleston at
the conclusion of Top Dog 2015. Please know how welcome you are and how
much we want you to experience the best that Top Dog has to offer.
<BR><BR><BR><BR>Hotel room registration: in order to reserve a room,
please call (800) 216-0635 and say that you are registering for Top Dog
2017. Be sure to provide the event code which is “Top”. You may also
register online at </FONT></FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><A
style='href: "http://www.hiuniversal.com"'><FONT
face="Times New Roman">www.hiuniversal.com</FONT></A><FONT
face="Times New Roman"> where you will use the code “top” as well.
<BR><BR>The cost per standard room is $89.00 per night plus applicable
tax. <BR>The cost for a one bedroom suite is $149.00 plus applicable tax
and the cost of a two bedroom suite is $189.00 plus applicable tax. The
pricing will be in effect for three days before and after Top Dog for your
vacation pleasure. The hotel room registration deadline is
<BR>December 12, 2016. <BR><BR><BR>Top Dog 2017 Registration:<BR><BR>There
are two registration options. You can register for the event without the
meal package at the cost of $15.00 per person or you can register with the
delicious seven meal package at the cost of $130.00 per person. The
package includes a traditional plated breakfast on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
mornings, boxed lunches with a vegetarian option on Friday and Saturday
afternoons and plated dinners with a vegetarian option on Friday and Saturday
evenings. <BR><BR>Meals for Top Dog:<BR><BR>Plated Breakfast: (Friday,
Saturday & Sunday)<BR>• The Eye Opener<BR>Fluffy Scrambled Eggs<BR>Bacon or
Sausage<BR>Cottage Fried Potatoes with Peppers & Onions<BR>Warm Biscuits
with Butter, Honey & Jelly<BR>Freshly Baked Pastry Basket<BR>Fresh Florida
Orange Juice, Cranberry and Apple Juice<BR>Coffee/Teas and Assorted
Creamers<BR><BR>Working Lunch: (Friday & Saturday)<BR>• Deli Sub<BR>Three
Assorted Meats and Cheeses<BR>Lettuce, Tomatoes and Onions<BR>Garnished with
Olives, Pickles<BR>Your Choice of Pasta Salad or Chips<BR>Cookies<BR>Please note
during the registration process if you prefer the vegetarian option.
<BR>Soda and bottled water will be available.<BR> <BR>Plated Dinner:
(Friday)<BR>• Italian Lasagna<BR>Accompanied by: Tossed Salad, Seasonal
Vegetables, Rolls with Butter, Chef’s Choice Dessert, Coffee/Tea<BR>Please note
during the registration process if you prefer the vegetarian option.
<BR><BR>Plated Dinner: (Saturday)<BR>• Duo Entrée; BBQ Chicken or Pork Marsala
(Sauce on the Side)<BR>Accompanied by: Tossed Salad, Chefs Choice of Herb Rice
or Garlic Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, Rolls with Butter, Chef’s Choice
Dessert, Coffee/Tea<BR>Please note during the registration process your choice
of entrée or if you prefer the vegetarian option.
<BR><BR> <BR>Registration is available online at<BR><BR></FONT><A
style='href: "https://topdog.technologyisawesome.com"'><FONT
face="Times New Roman">https://topdog.technologyisawesome.com</FONT></A><BR><BR><FONT
face="Times New Roman">You may find it necessary to paste the link into your
browser. You may contact Top Dog 2017 Registrar, Kathleen Trutschel at
(386) 257-9337 if you wish to register via telephone. The deadline for Top
Dog 2017 registration is December 12, 2016. The deadline for requesting a
refund is December 31, 2016.<BR><BR><BR>Top Dog 2017 Program:<BR>Friday, January
13, <BR><BR>As usual, the exhibit hall will be open on both Friday and Saturday
from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM.<BR><BR>Breakfast will be served from 7:00 AM to 8:30
AM. <BR><BR>The program includes four sessions of CPR training for your
guide. Each session will be open to 10 participants. We are
delighted to have the First Aid/CPR instructor from Southeastern Guide Dogs,
Bonnie Knapp, to bring these sessions to us free of charge.
She will be ably assisted by veterinarian Dr. Amy Long. This program
will be open on afirst come first served basis to the first 40 guide dog
users who register. You may choose your time preference; but that
choice will not be guaranteed. We do guarantee the first 40 guide dog
users a spot in one of the sessions. The sessions are scheduled from 10:00
AM to 10:50 AM; 11:00 AM to 11:50 AM;1:00 PM to 1:50 PM; 2:00 PM to 2:50
PM. <BR><BR>Wayfinding devices are adding to freedom of movement and
access to all sorts of information which is greatly enhancing the travel
experience for guide dog users. Jenine Stanley, co-host of ACB Radio’s
Main Menu and Consumer Relations Coordinator, Guide Dog Foundation, and her
husband, KentStanley, will be available throughout the day to provide hands on
demonstrations of some of the most accessible and versatile of these wayfinding
devices. In order to schedule an appointment with them, please do so at
the registration desk when you pick up your materials. <BR><BR>If you have
ever worried about an airline emergency, please come to the airline emergency
preparedness presentation at 3:00 PM. Interesting, surprising and
crucially important information and insights will be shared and there will be a
time for your questions. <BR><BR>The Friday evening dinner will be served
at 6:00 PM. Be sure to join us for good food, fellowship and great
music. <BR><BR>At the conclusion of the dinner, the hospitality suite will
be open for more fun, food and fellowship. . <BR><BR><BR>Saturday
Program:<BR><BR>Breakfast will be served from 7:00 to 8:15 AM.<BR><BR>The annual
Top Dog Blessing of the Guide Dogs will take place from 8:30 AM to 9:45 AM under
the direction of a very spiritual retired United Methodist Pastor, Janice
McLay. <BR><BR><BR>The exhibit hall will be open for the shopping pleasure
of those who choose not to participate in the Blessing.
<BR><BR><BR>Flying with Your Guide Dog: will take place from 9:45 AM to 10:45
AM. This panel presentation will bring to us A Summary of the Effort to
Update Air Carrier Access Act Regulations that Affect Accessibility for People
with Disabilities and any necessary updates from the Department of
Justice. The panelists will discuss how to ensure that your rights
are appropriately implemented and discuss your personal responsibilities and
present helpful hints about how best to prepare to have the most stress free
trip possible for both you and your guide. <BR><BR>The panelists
are: <BR><BR>Becky Barnes, Manager of Consumer Outreach and Graduate
Support, Guiding Eyes for the Blind<BR><BR>Penny Reeder, President Guide Dog
Users, Inc.<BR><BR>Jenine Stanley, Consumer Relations Coordinator, Guide Dog
Foundation for the Blind<BR><BR>Chelsea White, Outreach Specialist The Seeing
Eye<BR><BR>Moderator, Debbie Grubb, GDUI Affiliates Liaison<BR><BR>Allergies in
Dogs, 10:45 AM to 11:45 AM. Dawn Logas, DVM, will discuss this medical
issue that has become more prevalent with the ever changing environment.
She will describe their symptoms and treatment and other important information
that you need to know as you work with your veterinarian to combat their effects
on your dog.<BR><BR>Lunch: 12:00 PM to 1:15 Pm.<BR><BR>Guide Dog School
Updates: 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM. representatives from all guide dog schools
present will have the opportunity to bring you the latest news on what is taking
place at the schools they represent. <BR><BR>Wayfinding devices, 2:30 PM
to 4:00 PM. a description of and a discussion about some of the most
accessible and versatile of these devices, presented by Jenine Stanley, co-host
ACB Radio Main Menu. There will be time for your questions to be
addressed. Remember to schedule an appointment for a hands on
demonstration with Jenine and Kent Stanley at the registration desk on
Friday. <BR><BR>Top Dog 2017 Banquet, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Charlie
Crawford, friend and mentor to many throughout his diverse and significant
career and throughout his meaningful life will share with us his journeys with
the guide dogs who have partnered with him throughout his life as he has grown,
changed and triumphed over adversity to remain his best, true and strong
self.<BR><BR><BR>Sunday, January 14<BR><BR>Breakfast, 7:00 to 8:30 PM. <BR>As we
partake of breakfast, we will once again participate in Guide Dog Tales, the
sharing of personal anecdotes and experiences with our guides, moderated by
Jenine Stanley, Guide Dog Foundation. This program depends entirely on you
and the stories that you bring to us. <BR><BR><BR>Exciting Top Dog 2017
Raffle:<BR><BR>Would you like to own a pair of Disney one-day only passes for
all four of the theme parks that are good for two years with very few blackout
dates? If you would, here is your chance. The Top Dog 2017 team is
raffling off two pairs of these passes to assist us to fund the event.
With each ticket that you purchase, you have two chances to win, one for each
pair of the one-day only passes for all four of the theme parks. The cost
per ticket is $5.00 or you may purchase three for $10.00. Please feel free
to purchase as many tickets as you like to better your opportunity for
winning. The drawings for the two winners will take place on Thursday,
December 1,2016. This raffle is open to all. <BR><BR>To purchase
your tickets, please contact the Top Dog 2017 registrar, Kathleen Trutschel via
phone at (386) 307-8275 or via email at <BR></FONT><A
style='href: "mailto:ktrutschel@cfl.rr.com"'><FONT
face="Times New Roman">ktrutschel@cfl.rr.com</FONT></A><BR><BR></FONT><FONT
face="Times New Roman"><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">You may also purchase
tickets during the registration process either via telephone or on line before
the deadline of December 1, 2016. <BR><BR>Good luck to all from the Top Dog 2017
team<BR><BR>Ground Transportation: If you would like to travel by way of
Orlando’s paratransit system, Access Lynx, please phone them at 407-423-8747 to
be advised as to the process for their receiving your eligibility confirmation
from your paratransit provider. <BR><BR>For those of you who wish shuttle
service from and to the airport, Mears Transportation is providing a coupon that
authorizes a $4.00 discount from the regular round trip ride of $33.00. In
order to take advantage of this discount, you will need to bring a hard copy of
the coupon to the ticket window when you purchase your round trip ticket.
You will find a link on the Top Dog 2017 website from which you can download the
coupon and read the instructions for scheduling your return trip to the
airport. The coupon is valid from Sunday January 8, 2017 through
Wednesday, January 18, 2017. <BR> <BR>Top Dog 2017 Vendors<BR><BR><BR>Guiding
Eyes for the Blind, Becky Barnes<BR><BR>The Seeing Eye, Chelsea
White<BR><BR>Guide Dog Foundation, Jenine Stanley<BR><BR>Southeastern Guide
Dogs, Suzy Wilburn<BR><BR>Total Life Changes, Dimaris Cruz<BR><BR>Guide
Lights and Gadgets, Barry Scheur <BR><BR>Freedom Scientific, Bill
Hopton<BR><BR>Low Vision AidsInc, Magnifying America, John
Palmer<BR><BR>Mary Kay, Nancy Folsom<BR><BR>Paul Odham’s Opals and Gems, Paul
and Patty Odham <BR><BR>Envision America Patricia Bissell
<BR><BR>Delicious Candy and Other Great Surprises Leslie Spoone<BR><BR>H.E.L.P.
Animals Inc, Cheryl Crozier. <BR><BR>ADL Service Dogs Training and
Rescue<BR><BR>Veterinarian Dr. Amy Long and Vet Tech available on Friday only
for canine ear cleaning and nail clipping at a fee of $5.00 for each
procedure. <BR> <BR>Lilla Rose, Kelly
James<BR><BR><BR><BR> <BR><BR>We look forward to seeing you in
Orlando. Please forward this update far and wide.</FONT></FONT>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial'; COLOR: #000000">Have a
Blessed day.<BR>Melissa R. Green And Pj<BR></DIV></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>