The Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation Inc. has announced that the Norma F. Pfriem Foundation Inc. of Bridgeport has given Fidelco an $800,000 gift in support of its successor dog program. Fidelco successor dogs are fully trained guide dogs that take over when clients’ current guide dogs can no longer serve. Approximately half of the Fidelco placements each year are successor dogs.
The decision to ask for a successor dog is difficult and emotional for Fidelco’s clients. “I was told very early on that Ponda would let me know when it was time for him to retire,” said Jim Piccirillo of Middletown. “I honestly don’t know how I am going to handle that. The bond between the two of us is very intimate and very close. I can understand the need for him to retire but I don’t want him to do it. He’s such a gift.”
Pfriem and her foundation have donated $5.25 million to Fidelco since 1992 for projects that include building the Norma F. Pfriem Pup House, the creation of an endowment for our apprentice trainer program and, as part of the Fidelco capital campaign, the building of the Norma F. Pfriem Pavilion. The most recent grant will be added to a permanent endowment established in 2006 in the name of Norma F. Pfriem.
Hospital for Special Care presented its community service award to Middlesex Chamber of Commerce president Larry McHugh at its annual meeting.
Dr. Cato T. Laurencin, vice president for health affairs at the University of Connecticut Health Center and dean of its medical school, and his wife, Cynthia Laurencin, have provided a major gift to the University of Connecticut to start a fellowship fund for medical students. The Laurencins created the fellowship with the intention of supporting UConn School of Medicine students who have demonstrated academic achievement, who are involved in conducting summer research projects, and who provide mentorship to inner-city high school students in the Hartford region.
Saint Joseph College received a $50,000 grant to support Latino student success in degree programs in health, education and human services, the non-profit organization Excelencia in Education announced. Saint Joseph College was one of only 20 colleges and universities from 200 across the nation chosen to receive the award.
