LIFELONG LEARNER
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LIFELONG LEARNING
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Winter 2012
OU R STA R S SH I N E AT OU R 10 T H A N N UAL GAL A Anderson Center for Autism proudly hosted our 10th Annual Gala in October at The Grandview in Poughkeepsie. Our very dear friends Tondra and Jeffrey Lynford and The Good Dog Foundation were presented with the V.V. Anderson Community Service Award.
The
Award recognizes a person(s) and a business/organization who has demonstrated continued commitment and dedication to furthering autism awareness in our community, as well as their outstanding leadership and strong desire to make this world a better place to live, work and play in. The Lynfords quietly pursue efforts to make this world a better place through their many volunteer efforts in the areas of education and health, historic and environmental conservation, and the performing and visual arts – thoughtfully approaching each endeavor with energy, dedication and kindness. Tondra is currently a member of the Executive Committee of the Anderson Foundation and past Chair of its Grants Committee. Jeffrey is the Co-Managing Member of Wellsford Strategic Partners, LLC and the co-founder of the Wellsford group of public and private real estate companies. Currently, he holds three gubernatorial appointments as a Commissioner of The Port Authority of NY and NJ, a Member of the NY State Council on the Arts and a Director of the Trust for Governors Island; and serves on the board of two Institutions of higher education, NYU and Polytechnic Institute of NYU. This year’s organizational award went to The Good Dog Foundation. Founded in 1998 to promote the use of animal-assisted therapy to enhance a person’s life, their mission is to help society better understand the therapeutic value and benefits of the human-animal bond. Good Dog provides therapy dog services through the use of professionally-trained and supervised volunteer teams. Anderson Center for Autism has worked with Good Dog for more than three years
W H AT ’ S I N S I DE · Executive Director’s Message 2 · Family Corner
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becomes stressed, frustrated or agitated. Dog therapy is helping Anderson Center’s
· Fundraising Highlights
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children and adults develop skills that can be transferred to relationships with people.
· Notes and Notables
with gratifying results. The dogs are trained to remain calm even if a student or adult
(Gala continued on page 3)
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