For many, a specially trained Dog Guide means independence, mobility, safety and companionship.
From guiding their handlers through their daily lives to getting help when it’s needed most, Dog Guides play a crucial role in the lives of Canadians with disabilities. Lions Foundation of Canada’s mission is to assist Canadians with a medical or physical disability by providing them Dog Guides at no cost.
Depending on the program, Dog Guides are trained to perform a set of basic skills that are useful to all handlers. However, some of their training is also tailored to meet the specific needs of their future handler.
Canine Vision for people who are blind or visually impaired
Hearing for people who are deaf or hard of hearing
Autism Assistance for children who have autism spectrum disorder
Service for people who have a physical disability
Seizure Response for people who have epilepsy
Diabetic Alert for people who have type 1 diabetes with hypoglycemic unawareness
Support for use by professional agencies with individuals in traumatic situations
In the final stage of training, the client and Dog Guide train and live together at the Oakville facility for two to four weeks. This helps to ensure that the new working team develops a bond and prepares them for their next step – returning home.
Since 1983, Lions Foundation of Canada has provided specially trained Dog Guides to people of all ages from coast to coast.
Each Dog Guide costs approximately $25,000 to raise and train, yet they are provided at no cost to qualified applicants.
Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides does not receive any government funding and relies on the support of fundraising events and donations from service clubs, corporations, foundations and individuals across the country.
The Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides is a national fundraising walk held in approximately 300 communities across Canada. It raises funds to help train Dog Guides for Canadians with visual, hearing, medical or physical disabilities. Each Walk is organized by local volunteers with support from Lions Foundation of Canada. To date, the Walk has raised more than $15 million!
The Chepstow Lions Club will be hosting a Walk on Sunday September 23rd beginning at 12:30 p.m. in Chepstow Lions Park.
For more information on the walk or to sponsor a walker, Click Here .
Thanks to sponsors, 100% of the funds raised from the Walk go directly towards the raising, training and
placement of Dog Guides for Canadians with medical or physical disabilities. Dog Guides Canada has already provided specially trained Dog Guides to more than 2764 men, women and children, all without any government funding. With your help more people will experience the mobility, safety and independence a devoted Dog Guide brings. To learn more about sponsoring the training of a Dog Guide …