“Can you see, hear and have overall good health? That’s something we’d all like to answer an affirmative “yes” to. But the fact is that severe disabilities can hit us all at some point in our lives, so what do we do then?
One possibility is to contact “Lions Foundation of Canada”.
Beginning in 1985 with the “Canine Vision Canada” program, Lions Foundation of Canada continues to help people suffering from the following disabilities through it’s series of Dog Guides programs:
- Blindness or visually impaired
- Deaf or hard of hearing
- Wheelchair bound
- Seizures
- Autism (children 4 through 12)
- Diabetes (being introduced this year)
Dogs are bred, trained and placed with clients needing their services. Puppies are initially placed with foster homes at around 2 months of age and stay with the foster family normally for 12-14 months, being trained for basic socialization and obedience. The final phase of the puppies’ training is with the professional handlers who work one-on-one with the puppies for around 6 months and fine tune the skills needed for the particular disability they are to service. It is during this final stage of training that the Foundation works diligently to find the right fit between client and dog. Once a fit has been found, the client will spend around a month in daily contact with their dog guide, enabling the relationship to develop so that clients and dogs can confidently go out in the world together.
Cost to the client: $zero
Cost to the Foundation: Around $20,000 per dog
Last year, more than 150 dog guides were placed with clients across Canada, giving freedom back to individuals and families.
On Sunday May 26th the “Purina Walk For Dog Guides” is happening in Confederation Park, N.W. Calgary (West on 30th Ave N.W. at 4th Street N.W.). Registration is at 10 o’clock, with the Walk officially starting at 11 o’clock. There is no charge to take part in the walk but pledges or donations are gratefully accepted.
Please come out with your dog(s) on May 26th to support this great cause.
If you are interested in knowing more about the Dog Guide program or would like a pledge form for the Walk, please contact Steve on (403) 272-1623.”
