From Our Clients

Hi Rebecca & John,
Just wanted to update you on how our little princess is doing. She pretty much has everyone here at her beck and call-  petting, tummy rubs, treats, you name it, she knows who to go to and what to ask for.
Anyway, on the work side- yes, she does have to work- she is doing wonderful!  I had her on a run last week that took her out almost half a mile and she dropped and turned into a dog-skin rug when I asked for a lie-down. She moved and stopped , moved and stopped several times on that chase while we worked different flocks. She is getting better at stopping and looking back on command when there are separate groups of birds to move. Also, Joe has been working her for a few sessions now and doing well- Radar likes him and is happy to work for him-that seems to make a lot of difference to her.

All in all, we are a most happy bunch due to the fine dog you brought us. Thanks again for all your help.


Thanks,  Rebecca J. Haggie,  Airport Operations
Southwest Florida International Airport, Ft. Myers, FL
 

December 11, 2002

Dear Rebecca and John,

Let me start by saying, Rebecca, we're sorry you didn't make it down here last trip. We hope this finds you well. On the other hand, John was a great substitution. We spent quite a bit of time together. Although I don't know everything their is to know about handling dogs, John was a wealth of information. What he was able to share/pass on to me was of great value. Of course we've had no earth shattering results as of yet, but we're very excited about the future, both short and long term. As I'm sure John has shared with you, I know nothing about handling well-trained dogs. My working knowledge of dogs is simple, feed them when they're hungry, give them water when they're thirsty, take them outside when they have to go potty. Not very much to work with if you think about it. My lack of knowledge didn't stop John from trying to make me understand things in "dog terms." What he was able to pass along and teach me in the short time he was here will be things I can pass along to my folks, as they also become more familiar with handling and working Colin.

I'm currently on swing shifts, so Colin will be able to spend optimal time on the airfield. He's a workhorse, if ever there was one. He's excited to get out and work the airfield. And he never seems to tire. I'm usually worn out. before he even starts hanging that huge tongue out of the side of his face. This was nothing more than an e-mail to tell you both thank you for everything. John, it was really a pleasure to get to meet you and get to know you. Your knack to "tell it like it is", coupled with your ability to, "get down to the nuts and bolts" was admirable. We both know, I'll never be able to train dogs, but what you and your wife are doing is wonderful.

One more thing, they're doing an article on Colin in our base newspaper. A soon as it's published, I'll mail you a copy.

Rudy and Lisa Marie Abenido
Jacksonville, AR
(Rudy "Rude-Dog" Abenido, GS-9, USAF 314 OSS/OSAA)

To Whom It May Concern:

The Daytona Beach International Airport, owned and operated by the County of Volusia, Florida awarded a contract to Flyaway Farm & Kennels for two (2) border collies for bird control based upon specifications as set forth under Request for Proposal #20-P-220. Included under the proposal were requirements to train handlers for the above.

Rebecca Ryan (owner of Flyaway Farm & Kennels) personally delivered the dogs exactly on the agreed upon date and conducted training sessions as set forth under the RFP. There were no problems encountered that the Ryan's did not agree to correct, and they did, in fact, go beyond what was required under the contract. They continue to provide technical support as required and can easily be contacted.

It is without reservation that the Daytona Beach International Airport recommends the services of Flyaway Farm & Kennels. Should you desire any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,
Jack D. Abbott
Director of Airport Public Services

Fly-Away Border Collies recently donated a border collie named Lilly to the Brunswick Community College Center for Aquaculture Technology. Lilly is a PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) approved method for keeping predatory birds out of our fish culture ponds. She has been a wonderful addition to the BCC family and has been adopted by our department and virtually the entire campus as a sort of "mascot".
Lilly does a fantastic job of keeping predatory birds from eating large numbers of our fish, and has virtually saved the BCC Aquaculture Program from what used to be almost daily disasters through the loss of large numbers of fish used in our teaching and demonstration programs. She does this in the most humane way possible, having never killed a single bird but merely scaring them away by relentlessly chasing them off the ponds.

Through the donation of Lilly to the college (a dollar value estimated between $3500 and $5000), Fly-Away Border Collies has performed a great public service to the college, our students, our farmers, our seafood restaurants, and any Brunswick County citizen or visitor who enjoys fresh seafood.

Dr. Doug Holland
Director, Center for Aquaculture Technology
Brunswick Community College