GUESTS: Kate Givan, our guest speaker, with her service dog Ben and her father Tim. Luke Steinle, Erics son.
FINES: Ward Davis and Randall Haltom were our Sergeants-At-Arms. Unfortunately for many members the Sergeants took the easy way and fined everyone who was not in attendance last week because of the snow. Needless to say this took some time and was most profitable just ask Dwight Wiehl, Curtis Mitchell, Preston Clark, Jim Seitnater, Reta Joy Campbell, Tim Davies, Mark Treaster, John Knipp and myself and I may have missed a few. Doug Foss made out the list ratting us outbut he did set up the equipment for the Sergeants. I dont remember if that bought him a pass or not.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: The sign-up sheet for work shifts for the NJCAA Basketball t-shirt booths is available. There are still spots to fill. Please sign-up to work soon!
PROGRAM: Last year on February 11thour club hosted a fundraiser casino-night at the Kansas Cosmosphere for Kate Givan to help raise funds for her mental health service dog. Shortly thereafter Ben came to Hutchinson from Heeling Allies to live with Kate. Kate suffers from post traumatic stress disorder brought on my bullying and sexual harassment that she suffered while attending high school and an abusive relationship while attending college. She suffered anorexia finally reaching 80 pounds and lost her voice for a time due to the stress. Kate was unable to attend school, work or have a social life but she is fighting her way back a day at a time and Ben is helping her. Ben is specially trained to help her with her recovery. Ben is a 2 year old mixed breed rescue dog. Besides being a full-time companion he helps provide a barrier between Kate and other people when she is out in public. He is also trained to recognize anxiety attacks and to help Kate stay grounded to reality. Kate has always had dogs in her life since she was born. She showed dogs in 4H starting at age 7 and has constantly found refuge in dogs. Kate would eventually like to become certified as a therapy dog trainer. Kate has not needed to be hospitalized since Ben came into her life. Ben is required to retire at 9 years of age. Ben cost $15,000 plus $10,000 in travel expenses and special training with a trainerand Kate once he arrived. To read more about her ordeal there are several articles available on-line at hutchnews.com and a daily blog site at: http://fightingmywayback.wordpress.com/ Kate showed a PowerPoint presentation about her life and her path towards recovery.
50/50 Drawing: Dane Power won $20 and donated it to Kate for doggie treats.
Newsletter Drawing: Terry Brigman would have won $5 but he did not know the answer.
Newsletter question: For $10, how much did Service Dog Ben cost?
Editor: Steve Conard