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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></u></b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Contact: Rachelle Kniffen<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Leader Dogs for the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>(248) 659-5013<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><a href="mailto:rkniffen@leaderdog.org">rkniffen@leaderdog.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Leader Dogs for the Blind Launches T.O.M. Talks<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Rochester Hills, Mich., October 28, 2020</span></b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> – Leader Dogs for the Blind, located in Southeast Michigan since 1939, announced today that they are launching a free virtual seminar for people who are 18 – 24 years old, legally blind or visually impaired, and from the U.S. and Canada. T.O.M. Talks focuses on three areas of importance for people who are blind: Technology, Orientation and Mobility. The seminar is free and will be held January 17-30, 2021.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Participants will develop skills needed to thrive in their career including increased independent travel, professional readiness and networking. A variety of experts from Leader Dogs for the Blind will present including guide dog mobility instructors and orientation & mobility specialists. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>“People in the 18-24 age group tend to have very busy schedules,” said Erica Ihrke, Leader Dog’s manager of extended services, “so we designed this program to be partially self-guided and partially live. Our goal is for everyone to be able to achieve success.” There are four required live ZOOM sessions and two optional weekend sessions. The self-guided portion of the curriculum includes videos and activities supported with materials sent prior to the T.O.M. Talks.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>To apply for T.O.M. Talks go to <a href="http://www.leaderdog.org/programs/tom-talks/">www.leaderdog.org/programs/tom-talks/</a><u>. </u> Applications are due by 5:00 pm (EST) on Monday, December 12, 2020.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>For additional information, visit <a href="http://www.leaderdog.org/programs/tom-talks/">www.leaderdog.org/programs/tom-talks/</a> or contact Kristy Plesscher, Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist at (248) 659-5009.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>###<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>About Leader Dogs for the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Leader Dogs for the Blind is a nonprofit organization that empowers people who are blind or visually impaired with lifelong skills for independent travel using a Leader Dog or a white cane. Since its founding in 1939, Leader Dogs for the Blind has served over 16,500 clients. All services of the organization are provided free of charge. The organization also provides training in the use of pedestrian GPS equipment, trains guides dogs for people who are Deaf-Blind and holds a summer camp for teens. For more information on Leader Dogs for the Blind, call (888) 777-5332 or visit <a href="http://www.leaderdog.org">www.leaderdog.org</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bodoni MT",serif'>Lori Deehr<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial Narrow",sans-serif'>Receptionist<br>Leader Dogs for the Blind<br>1039 S. Rochester Rd. • Rochester Hills, MI 48307-3115<br>Direct (248) 218-6331<br>Toll Free <span style='color:blue'>(888) 777-5332</span><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>To learn more about our programs and services visit <a href="http://www.leaderdog.org">LeaderDog.org</a><br>We are always in need of volunteers to raise our puppies. Learn more at <a href="https://www.leaderdog.org/volunteer/raise-a-puppy">LeaderDog.org/puppy</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><i>Our mission is to empower people who are blind or visually impaired with lifelong skills for safe and independent daily travel. <o:p></o:p></i></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f">
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