Publisher’s Note: GeorgeAs of June 19, George Salpietro is no longer affiliated with Fidelco Guide Dogs. His departure was announced after this story went to press.
At the heart of a growing demand for guide dogs for the visually impaired is an aging population that is living far longer than previous generations, one that is encountering greater disease and age-related eye impairment, according to Janis Jerman, a long-time volunteer with the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation. Jerman helps to raise and train Fidelco’s carefully bred German shepherd guide dogs.
“The need has never been greater,” she said, “and knowing how mission-driven Fidelco is in training and in providing the numbers of dogs they turn out each year — and the numbers on the waiting list — I know we’re meeting a unique demand in a tremendous way.”
Type of nonprofit: Provider of guide dogs to the blind
Connecticut employees: 54 (including part time employees)
Headquarters: Bloomfield
Top executive: George Salpietro, executive director
