Ivy

By Joyce Moed, Reporter

Watertown, Conn.–Since the age of 9 weeks, Ivy has been coming to work with her foster owner, Greater Watertown Federal Credit Union CEO Tom O’Neil, five days each week for the past 18 months.

In addition to having visited various Small Employee Groups, Ivy has attended board meetings, staff meetings, the Connecticut Credit Union League’s annual meeting, and a daylong strategic planning session for the Constitution Corporate Federal Credit Union.

Ivy’s destination to be a future service dog was the primary reason the credit union was chosen by state CU officials to be this year’s winner of the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award. It won first place for Connecticut and the entry will be forwarded to CUNA of Wisconsin for judging in the national competition with the winners being announced in December.

At the end of October, Ivy turns 18 months old, and her time with the CU will end when she is transferred back to the Fidelco headquarters in Bloomfield, Conn. At Fidelco she will be enrolled in a six-month intense training program where she’ll learn the skills of guiding a person that’s visually impaired. Upon successful completion of this training, Ivy will then be placed with someone that is visually impaired. For her departure from the CU, the staff is planning a goodbye party for Ivy.
The Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation is a nonprofit organization that breeds, raises and trains German shepherds to be placed with men and women with visual impairments.

The Credit Union Journal recently asked O’Neil a few questions about Ivy’s tenure at the CU.

CU Journal: Why did you decide to foster Ivy for the past 18 months?

O’Neil: I like the idea of volunteering my time for worthwhile causes. I’ve been a Big Brother for nine years, served on the board for a charitable organization for 20 years and thought I would try working with Fidelco as I’ve become a lover of properly trained canines over the years.

CUJ: Why did you decide to originally start bringing Ivy to work with you?

O’Neil: Actually my original plan was to keep Ivy at home and commute back and forth at lunchtime. I tried bringing her to work on the first day and it went so well that I just maintained the routine. To my amazement, it’s the easiest part of my day. No barking, whining, and no begging. It’s when we get home the real games begin.

CUJ: How did Ivy impact the credit union?

O’Neil: Everyone without exception has been very supportive of Ivy, especially the eight credit-union employees. I could never have completed the fostering had it not been for the kindness and understanding of the entire Greater Watertown Federal Credit Union Family.

CUJ: What are reactions from members visiting the branch upon seeing Ivy?

O’Neil: Most members have no idea that she is at the credit union because, except for periodic breaks, she spends the day under my desk. When they do realize there’s a dog on the property, they will either ignore us to ask out curiosity about the dog.

CUJ: How does the staff feel about being transferred back to the Fidelco headquarters?

O’Neil: Outside of receiving threats to poke both my eyes out, half of the staff is very sad and half appear to be in indifferent. Unless an employee sneaks into my office with some mid-day treats, most employees have little or no contact with Ivy. I tried to make her time here transparent to staff and members.