A dog’s purpose: the importance of dog guides in Canada

Communications manager Maria Galindo said that to date, the event has raised more than $17 million for the foundation, which receives zero government funding and relies solely on donations from individuals, corporations and fundraising activities.

IMPORTANCE OF SERVICE DOGS

It all started in 1983 through local Lions Clubs and expanded in 1985 with the first Canine Vision program. The foundation’s work has since grown to include these seven programs:

· Canine Vision Dog Guides – for people who are blind or visually impaired

· Hearing Dog Guides – for people who are deaf or hard of hearing

· Service Dog Guides – for people with a physical disability

· Seizure Response Dog Guides – for those who have epilepsy

· Autism Assistance Dog Guides – for children on the autism spectrum

· Diabetic Alert Dog Guides – for people who have diabetes with hypoglycemic unawareness

· Support Dog Guides – for professional agencies with individuals in traumatic situations

The foundation’s training facility and main base of operations is in Oakville, Ontario.

“All of our puppies are born into our own breeding program – we get some donations, but most of them do come from our own program,” Galindo said.

“They’re trained by volunteer foster families until they’re about a year old. At a year old, they come back to the foundation for formal training, which can last four to eight months. Then, at approximately a year and a half, they go out to clients that have a medical or physical disability.”

She explained that all the dogs are trained at the Oakville centre, then transferred over to wherever the person with a disability lives.

“Let’s say someone needs a service dog, they would apply for it online at our website in one of the seven programs. An instructor would do a follow-up visit to see if they qualify for a dog guide and then we fly you out here (Oakville) all at no cost,” she said.

“You live here for two to three weeks, depending on the program that you are applying to. Food is provided at no cost to the client as well, and they receive lifelong follow-ups.”

She said it costs an average of $25,000 to breed and train each dog.

Courtesy of a partnership with Pet Valu, food is covered for dogs during training. Once the training period is over, the person utilizing the dog’s service must cover the cost of food.

Individuals do get a discount of 10 percent from Pet Valu if using a dog guide. However, dogs are provided free of charge. Additionally, veterinary visits are covered during the fostering period.

FUNDRAISING

Galindo said fundraising event happen year-round, and anyone can start one.

“We rely on the public for a lot of donations and fundraising events. We do have some local ones in Oakville, which we are able to run but a lot of times clients go back to their hometown and either they organize a Pet Valu walk or they organize any fundraising event towards the foundation,” she said.

Last year, the event raised $1.4 million across Canada.

“It would be great to match that or beat that but all we want is just to create more awareness so that more people are aware of this program and that it’s available at no cost to applicants,” Galindo said.

The Spruce View and District Lions Club is again sponsoring the Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides this Sunday, May 26. Registration begins at 11 a.m. followed by the walk at noon then lunch.

It is taking place at Double Tree Village (9 miles west of Spruce View on Hwy 54 to RR 41, then north).

Call Lois or Phil at 403-728-0008 for pledge forms and more information.

(Lethbridge News Now)

by Justin Goulet

A dog’s purpose: the importance of dog guides in Canada

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