Our founders, Roberta and Charles Kaman, shared a love for the German Shepherd Dog that launched the creation of the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation over sixty years ago.
Charlie Kaman, founder and CEO of the Kaman Corporation was a remarkable engineering innovator. He developed the world’s first helicopter powered by gas turbines and invented the Ovation guitar – an acoustic guitar using aerospace composite materials.
With this same spirit of innovation, Charlie and Robbie began looking for ways to create ideal guide dog partners to enhance the lives of people who are blind.
At their home, Robbie and Charlie began breeding German Shepherd Dogs from German bloodlines and founded the Fidelity Breeders Cooperative. Dogs were bred for stamina, health and intelligence, and were given to other guide dog organizations for training and placement from 1960 – 1980.
In 1981, the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation was formally established as a breeding and training organization. The first five Fidelco guide dogs were placed using the In-Community Placement model Fidelco would come to be known for. This model provides for training the client with the guide dog in the environment where the client lives and works. This enhances the effectiveness of the partnership.
Today, Fidelco Guide Dogs is a recognized leader in the guide dog industry and still the only guide dog organization to exclusively breed the German Shepherd Dog. They are accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation and more than 1,600 guide dogs have been placed throughout North America.
As we celebrate our 60th anniversary this year, we are honored to continue Robbie and Charlie’s legacy of transforming the lives of people who are blind.
