The Ward M. Canaday Centerfor Special CollectionsThe University of Toledo |
Finding Aid
Assistance Dogs of America, Inc. Records, 1986-2007
MSS-175
Size: 5 linear feet
Provenance: Donated by Chris Diefenthaler, executive director, on behalf of Assistance Dogs of America, Inc. in May 2003.
Access: open
Related Collections: Collection is part of the Regional Disability History Archive Project
Processing Note: None
Copyright: The literary rights to this collection are assumed to rest with the person(s) responsible for the production of the particular items within the collection, or with their heirs or assigns. Researchers bear full legal responsibility for the acquisition to publish from any part of said collection per Title 17, United States Code. The Ward M. Canaday Center for Special Collections may reserve the right to intervene as intermediary at its own discretion.
Completed by: Deborah Marinski, July 2003
Biographical/Historical Sketch
Assistance Dogs of America, Inc. was founded in 1984 as the Guide Dogs for the Handicapped, Inc. by Joe and Pamela “Sam” Maxwell in Columbus, Ohio. “Sam” Maxwell began the organization by training dog Abby for her husband, who was a quadriplegic. Joe also assisted in training several dogs. The purpose of the Guide Dogs for the Handicapped was to “provide specially trained dogs and/or adaptive equipment that aid the handicapped, enabling them to become more independent.” The organization was also concerned with educating recipients about dogs and educating the public about disabilities and the program. In 1986 the first Board of Directors was created with twenty-two members, and in 1987 the organization obtained 501 (C) (3) tax exemption status. The group became registered at local, state, and federal levels and began to expand its name and message to the nation.
The name formally changed in 1989 to Assistance Dogs of America, Inc. (ADAI). The Board of Directors voted to change the name because the word “handicapped” was seen as offensive, primarily concerned with an individual’s limitation, and politically incorrect. The group wanted to recognize people as individual beings, not as disabled. Also, guide dogs referred largely to the visually impaired, which was not the concentration of the program. Also in 1989 the ADAI received a new home. The National Training Headquarters was moved to Swanton, Ohio, about 20 miles west of Toledo. The owner, Richard Ransom, donated half the cost of the property and the Kiwanis of Toledo paid for the other half. The property was situated on 2 ¾ acres with a twenty-two kennel run, grooming areas, isolation spots, insulated and air conditioned kennels, an out-building for training, and a six bedroom, four bathroom house that provided offices and quarters for live-in staff. In 1995 the property was paid off and the deed handed to the Kiwanis who leased the facilities to ADAI for $1.00 a year. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s the organization continued to grow and expand on the local, state, and national levels. Besides the Toledo chapter, another was established in Pontiac, Illinois, and others were trying to organize in Texas and Wisconsin. In 1991 a National Headquarters was set up in Columbus, Ohio, and in 1996 an executive office was created in Florida. The non-profit organization became nationally renowned for its help to disabled individuals.
The clients of ADAI are individuals with mobility problems or those who have multiple disabilities. Recipients may suffer from a variety of diseases including ataxia, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, poliomyelitis, rheumatoid arthritis, spina bifida, and stroke while others have suffered accidental trauma or are disabled veterans. The hearing impaired may be given dogs, but the visually impaired are not unless they have other physical problems as well. Some dogs are used as therapy dogs in nursing homes, as companions to the elderly, or may be given to Easter Seals children. The ADAI wants to give people facing a variety of disabilities more independence, mobility, and a better quality of life.
The dogs provided are generally Labradors, Golden Retrievers, or mixes of the two; however, other large breeds such as collies, shepards, greyhounds, and Great Danes have been approved for use. These dogs come from animal shelters, humane societies, pounds, breeders, and pet owners. Some have been abused or abandoned while others were slated for destruction. After a lengthy training program some of these dogs move on to become great companions and help to disabled people. Some dogs, however, are not up to ADAI quality and go on to become family pets or narcotic sniffing dogs. The dogs that do pass the six-month training period are capable of many functions. For the hearing impaired the dogs are trained to alert their owners to situations like fire or smoke alarms, telephones, doorbells, alarm clocks, or crying children. Other dogs specialize in answering phones, helping with balance in walking, carrying books and small packages, dressing and undressing, getting food from shelves and refrigerators, getting help in emergencies, going up and down stairs, opening doors, operating elevators, covering with blankets, pulling oxygen carts, pulling wheelchairs if stuck, picking up dropped items, turning on and off appliances, and turning lights on and off. Once a specific dog is matched with a recipient, the dog is trained for the individual’s specific needs. Typically, dogs will stay with their owners 10-12 years. The dogs support the recipients and provide companionship.
Training is a critical step in the program. Dogs go through a series of stages to final placement. The first 10-14 days consists of observation of behavior and health check-ups. Once approved the dogs are placed in a foster home for 2-6 months of training. Foster parents are responsible for teaching basic obedience commands, socialization skills, housebreaking, and getting them used to public spaces. Foster homes are also required to provide a safe, clean, and loving environment. After foster training the dogs return to the facility for a 7-10 day training sessions with their recipient. Once the dog and recipient pass the class, they have a three-month probationary period and frequent follow-up visits. Finally, owners must pass a public certification exam to receive full ownership of the dogs.
ADAI is a non-profit organization that relies on donations and fundraisers to pay for the daily operations. Individuals who receive a dog do not pay for the animal. Various clubs, organizations, associations, fraternities and sororities, corporations, and hospitals are useful resources. These groups sponsor dogs, giving money, training facilities, living spaces, and time to the program.
Besides providing dogs for the disabled, ADAI provides some community services in order to educate the community about disabilities. ADAI gives demonstrations and lectures free of charge at schools, churches, libraries, and organizations. They try to convey the bonds created between owner and dog, how to care properly for pets, and how the program works. Community outreach is an important part of the program.
ADAI is an organization that benefits the physically disabled in a very positive way by providing them with dogs as helpers and companions. The group continues to grow and expand the number of dog s they place each year and allowing more disabled people to have a better life.
Scope and Content Note
The records of Assistance Dogs of America, Inc. date from the first board meeting in 1986 to 2002. These years have extensive documentation through administrative records, financial information, photographs, printed materials, videos, tax information, property information, meeting minutes, training reports, applicants and board member profiles, donations, fundraisers, by-laws, correspondence, newspapers, and newsletters.
The collection is broken into four series, each arranged alphabetically and then chronologically. Series I, Administrative Records, describe the daily functions of the group. This series includes annual meeting information, by-laws, applicant and board member profiles, correspondence, foster home instruction and applicants, legal issues, board of directors minutes, press releases, restructuring information, and training reports. Series II, Financial Records, documents the various facets of funding the program. Included in this series is information on donations, fundraisers, grant applications, property agreements, and tax information. Series 3, Printed Materials, include newsletters, fact sheets, historical information, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, and policy manuals. Series 4, Audiovisual Materials, include many photographs and a variety of videotapes.
Series List
S1 |
Administrative Records 1986-2002, 2.5 linear ft. Arranged alphabetically then chronologically Includes annual meeting information from 1989 to 1991, applicants and board member profiles, application information, elections and resignations, by-laws and constitution, correspondence, foster home information, job descriptions, legal issues, chapter information, product information, name change, publication information, and board of director minutes, which include training reports, announcements, invitations, amendments, executive director reports, volunteer reports, developmental reports, and some financial budgets.
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S2 |
Financial Records 1986-2002, .25 linear ft. Arranged alphabetically then chronologically Includes information on spending and funding through fundraisers, donations, grant applications, property agreements, insurance, invoices, tax information, monthly budgets, and yearly spending reports.
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S3 |
Printed Materials 1986-2002, .25 linear ft. This series shows the formation, history, policies, and affect of the program on its recipients through newsletters, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, fact sheets, and policy manuals.
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S4 |
Audiovisual Materials 1986-2002, 2 linear feet Photographs and videotapes show the facilities, dogs, recipients, events, and volunteers of the program. Most of the photographs are unidentified. The photographs have been divided into major categories by subject.
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Folder List
Box |
Folder |
Arrangement |
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|
|
|
|
S1 Administrative Records |
|
|
|
1 |
1 |
Annual meeting, 1988 |
|
2 |
Annual meeting and anniversary, 1989 |
|
3 |
Annual meeting, 1990 |
|
4 |
Annual meeting, 1991 |
|
5 |
Application information, 1993-94 |
|
6 |
Applicants, 1989-96 |
|
7 |
Articles of Incorporation, 1987 |
|
8 |
Assistance Dogs International, 1989-91 |
|
9 |
Better business bureau, 1993 |
|
10 |
Board member profiles, 1992-2001 |
|
11 |
Board nominations/elections and resignations, 1989, 1994 |
|
12 |
By-laws, 1989-2001 |
|
13 |
Certificates of appreciation, 1996-97 |
|
14 |
Columbus Chamber of Commerce reports, 1987-90 |
|
15 |
Constitution |
|
16 |
Correspondence, 1989, 1993-94, 2008 |
|
17 |
Disability needs and services, 1986-91 |
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18 |
Foster home information, 1993-2001 |
|
19 |
Governor’s proclamations, 1990-91 |
|
20 |
Job descriptions, 1995-2001 |
|
21 |
Legal issues, 1992-93 |
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22 |
List of officers and board members, 1989- 2001 |
|
23 |
Kiser personnel file, 1987, 1992 |
|
24 |
Mayor’s proclamations, 1988, 1990, 1991 |
|
25 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, September-December, 1986 |
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26 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, January-June, 1987 |
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27 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, July-December, 1987 |
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28 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, January-June, 1988 |
|
29 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, July-December, 1988 |
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30 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, January-June, 1989 |
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31 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, July-December, 1989 |
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32 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, January-June, 1990 |
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33 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, July-December, 1990 |
2 |
34 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, January-June, 1991 |
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35 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, July-December, 1991 |
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36 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, January-June, 1992 |
2 |
37 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, July-August, 1992 |
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38 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, September-December, 1992 |
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39 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, January-June, 1993 |
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40 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, July-December, 1993 |
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41 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, January-June, 1994 |
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42 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, July-December, 1994 |
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43 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, January-June, 1995 |
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44 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, July-December, 1995 |
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45 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, January-June, 1996 |
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46 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, July-December, 1996 |
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47 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, January-June, 1997 |
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48 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, July-December, 1997 |
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49 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, January-June, 1998 |
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50 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, July-December, 1998 |
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51 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, January-June, 1999 |
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52 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, July-December, 1999 |
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53 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, January-June, 2000 |
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54 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, July-December, 2000 |
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55 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, January-June, 2001 |
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56 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, July-December, 2001 |
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57 |
Minutes, Board of Directors, 2002 |
3 |
58 |
Miscellaneous, 1993-94 |
|
59 |
National Assistance Dog Awareness Week, 1989-91 |
|
60 |
Ohio Revised Code |
|
61 |
Pontiac, Ill. Chapter – Guide Dogs for the Handicapped, Inc., 1987-89 |
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62 |
Presentation requests, 1994 |
|
63 |
Press releases, 1992, 2001 |
|
64 |
Product information, 1993-94 |
|
65 |
Publications, 1993 |
|
66 |
Recipient correspondence, 1987-97 |
|
67 |
Recipient and dog profiles |
|
68 |
Restructuring, 1986 – Name change |
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69 |
Training Information, 1993-94 |
|
70 |
Secretary of State fillings, 1989-90 |
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71 |
Toledo Museum of Art, 2000 |
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72 |
Website, 1999 |
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S2. Financial Records |
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|
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73 |
Balloon lift-off, 1989 |
|
74 |
Bethel Road property rental agreement, 1992 |
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75 |
Donations, 1989-2001 |
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76 |
Fundraising, 1990-2002 |
|
77 |
Golf classic, 2000-01 |
|
78 |
Grant applications – business donations, 1993-94 |
3 |
79 |
Insurance, 1993-94 |
|
80 |
Invoices, 1994 |
|
81 |
“May Day at Muirfield” Dinner/Auction, 1989 |
|
82 |
Swanton property rental agreement, 1989-94 |
|
83 |
Tax papers, 1993-95 |
|
84 |
Walking events |
|
|
|
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S3. Printed Materials |
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|
|
|
85 |
Assistance Dogs International Newsletter, 1988-89 |
|
86 |
History and information |
|
87 |
Information/Fact Sheet |
|
88 |
Newsletter, Hearts in Harness, 1987, 1995-2002 |
|
95 |
Newsletter, Wags & Wheels, Spring/Summer & Fall 2006, Spring/Summer & Fall 2007, Fall 2008 |
|
89 |
Newspaper Clippings, not dated |
|
90 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1980s |
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91 |
Newspaper Clippings, 1990s |
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92 |
Newspaper Clippings, 2000-2002 |
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Oversized |
Newspaper Clippings and recipient and dog profiles |
|
93 |
Pamphlets |
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94 |
Policies and Manuals, 1991 |
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S4. Audiovisual Materials |
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Photographs: |
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4 |
95 |
Dogs, identified |
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96 |
Dogs, unidentified |
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97 |
Events |
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98 |
Facilities |
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99 |
Recipients, identified |
|
100 |
Recipients, unidentified |
|
101 |
Volunteers and workers |
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5 |
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Video tapes, VHS, Beta, ¾ Inch, 1989-2001 |