The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is pleased announce a partnership with the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation to allow the training of guide dogs on CTrail Hartford Line and Shore Line East trains without requiring the charity to purchase train fares for the trainers. All guide dogs will be harnessed and/or wearing a red jacket when on the train. Fidelco trainers will always have Fidelco ID badges displayed while on the train.
“We are partnering with Fidelco because it is the right thing to do,” said CTDOT Deputy Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “Their clients are among the most public transportation dependent population of our state. Guide dogs are a vital life line to many, allowing greater access to mobility and a freedom they might not otherwise enjoy.”
In 1981, the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation was formally established as a breeding and training organization. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with offices in Bloomfield and Wilton, Conn. It takes two years, 15,000 hours, and $65,000 to train each life-changing guide dog. This is provided at no cost to the client. To date, more than 1,500 guide dogs have been placed throughout North America and over 300 have been donated to the Connecticut State Police Canine Training unit, five of which were part of the search and rescue mission at the World Trade Center.
For more information about the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, please visit Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation Inc.
For details on Hartford Line schedule and fare information, please visit HartfordLine.com. You can sign up for alerts at HartfordLine.com and click on “service alerts” to get all the latest information on Hartford Line trains.
For details on Shore Line East schedule and fare information, please visit ShoreLineEast.com. You can sign up for alerts at ShoreLineEast.com and click on “service alerts” to get all the latest information on Shore Line East trains.
Information about all rail services in Connecticut is available at CTrail.com.
