The Fairmont Washington D.C. Rolls Out Red Carpet for Second Resendent Fido

Hotel to Raise Second Puppy for Guiding Eyes for the Blind

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. October 14, 2008

WASHINGTON, DC, June 16, 2005. For the vast majority of dogs, life is all about being man or woman's best friend pure eat, sleep and play. But some special pooches actually enrich their human's quality of life, working as guide dogs.

While many upscale hotels have gone pet-friendly and let the dogs in as guests, The Fairmont Washington, D.C. is continuing to take canine care to a new level, volunteering to serve as a Puppy Raiser for Guiding Eyes for the Blind. On June 16, the hotel rolled out the red carpet for its second resident puppy Jana, a 16-week-old black Labrador.

For the next 14 to 18 months Fairmont Washington D.C. staff will help prepare Jana for her future as a guide dog, following Guiding Eyes' comprehensive program. She will have a comfortable part-time home in the hotel lobby, where guests can visit her and assist with her socialization. Come evening, Jana will head home with her foster mom, Director of Hotel Operations, Tracy Di Fulgo.

Guests on the road with their own Rover can do even more to share the puppy love. Every time they check-in with dog in tow, The Fairmont Washington D.C. will donate five-percent of their room rate to Guiding Eyes for the blind.

"We're committed to giving these wonderful dogs the best start possible, so that they can grow to help visually impaired people in our community," says General Manager George Terpilowski. "The Guiding Eyes puppy raiser program is a great way for The Fairmont Washington D.C. to help people in need, and share a joyful experience with our guests. You could say we've gone to the dogs for a wonderful cause."

At about 18 months, Jana will return to Guiding Eyes to be evaluated. If she possesses all the skills and attributes necessary to become a successful guide dog, she will enter their formal Guide Dog Training program. "Here at Guiding Eyes, we provide regular monitoring, support and assistance to all our volunteer Puppy Raisers, notes William D. Badger, President and CEO of Guiding Eyes. "We are delighted that The Fairmont Washington, D.C. is part our program and look forward to their continued help in preparing our superbly bred dogs to be potential guides." And Jana's not the only canine that receives V.I.D. (Very Important Dog) treatment at The Fairmont Washington D.C. Dogs arriving at the hotel, with their owners of course, are greeted with healthy treats handmade by the hotel's Executive chef and accompanied with bottled water and a handy placemat.

The Fairmont Washington D.C.'s no-charge Pet Program includes lots of other practical items like walking maps to nearby parks, a list of nearby, pet-friendly restaurants, cafes and stores, even loaner leashes and collars, just in case you forgot to pack. The finishing touch, a special sign for your door the green paw means, "please service room, animal companion exploring city." Flip sides to the red paw and Spot can slumber on, "do not

disturb, animal companion napping."