Canine Courier
Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides
November 2015
Graduate Update
Beautiful Friendship and Fan Favourite: Gary & Bogart
“I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”
That’s the famous last line spoken by Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca’s closing scene. And there couldn’t be truer words for a Dog Guide with the actor’s namesake and the person with whom Bogart, a Canine Vision Dog Guide, was matched.
Gary, a resident of New Westminster, B.C., has retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease that causes visual impairment. He started using a cane at the age of 19 as his vision decreased. As it continued to worsen, Gary began to have trouble with his walk home across two major roads. This motivated him to apply for a Dog Guide, and five years ago, he was match with Bogart.
Bogart, a specially trained standard poodle, assists Gary by helping him navigate his daily route. This includes stopping at steps and curbs, and walking safely through crowds. “I used to feel insecure on the train platform, but it is a different experience now with a Dog Guide,” says Gary of taking public transit. “I know that Bogart won’t put me in a bad situation.” In truth, airports, malls and transit stations used to bring on fear. “I no longer feel anxiety [in these situations].”
With Bogart at his side, Gary leads an active life. He’s a goalie for the Vancouver Eclipse hockey team, and recently became president of the Canadian Blind Hockey Association. He is also working with USA Disabled Hockey in hopes of getting more countries interested, and eventually positioning blind hockey as an event in the Paralympics. “Bogart has become a team mascot in a lot of ways,” says Gary, commenting on how they have attended events across the world from Syracuse, NY to London, England together. “He is a fan favourite.”
No matter where their journeys take them, Bogart is on the job. “There was a new subway line put in for the Olympics [in Vancouver], and I got lost trying to find the way out,” said Gary who finally told Bogart to take him out. “I was blown away by how he got me back out of the subway station.”
Supporting Dog Guides this Winter
Pet Valu
As 2015 winds down, Dog Guides is thrilled to once again have Pet Valu as a national partner through the store’s give-what-you-can 2016 calendar campaign. Proceeds from the calendar benefit Dog Guides, and support the sponsorship of new teams. This year, Pet Valu became the first Dog Guide Champion, sponsoring teams in all six of Dog Guides’ programs. Pet Valu was honoured as a patron at this year’s annual general meeting. You can pick up a copy of the calendar at Pet Valu locations across Canada.
PJ’s Pets
The PJ’s Pets group of stores (including Pets Unlimited, “petculture” and “Oliver’s) are once again holding their annual fundraising campaign for the month of November. It is now in its 10th year and since 2005, has raised over $411,333 for the Dog Guide programs. Customers are encouraged to make a donation to LFC when checking out. In return, they can write their name on a “Dog Guide” paper logo card which we hope will be covering the walls of every store. For a list of stores, please visit http://www.pjspet.com/stores
Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday, which follows “Black Friday,” is an international day to celebrate the philanthropic spirit. Taking place on December 1st, Lions Foundation has joined many other charities in Canada promoting Giving Tuesday. It’s a great way to support the foundation. This year, consider making a donation on this day, and sharing the gift with someone special this holiday season.
CIBC Miracle Day
Every year, on the first Wednesday of December, CIBC employee and CIBC Wood Gundy advisors donate their fees and commissions to CIBC Miracle Day. Funds are donated to Canadian children’s charities, one of which is Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. We have been fortunate to receive this support for the last 10 years, with funds going toward the Autism Assistance Dog Guides program.
Getting into the Dog Guides Spirit
Pet Portraits with Santa
Strike a pose for Dog Guides by organizing a seasonal photo op pet owners will love. A local event can be arranged at a local retail store, or veterinarian’s office, with donations going to Lions Foundation. Just add Saint Nick, and contact Emelia for assistance putting together the remaining details.
Holiday Gift Idea
Each year, more people are donating to celebrate special events such as holidays, birthdays and weddings in lieu of giving gifts. Why not consider a holiday gift from Dog Guides? The recipient will receive a letter of congratulations, and you will receive a tax receipt. Visit the website to learn more.
Gift Shop
As always, Dog Guides’ online gift shop is full of great gift-giving inspiration. You’ll find new holiday cards, ornaments, and many other items.
2015 Patrons
Honouring Our Supporters
Lions Foundation is pleased to announce the following have been named Patrons for 2015. This is the highest honour presented to supporters of Dog Guides’ mission and programming.
BOB ROBINSON
PDG Bob Robinson is a past Chairperson of the Board with Lions Foundation (2010-11), and during his time in this official capacity, he was an enthusiastic and dedicated ambassador for the organization. Since leaving the board, his involvement has continued, and he has been a strong supporter through the Purina® Walk for Dog Guides in his hometown of Winnipeg. Prior to his time on the board of directors, PDG Bob had a strong involvement as LFC Chairperson for District 5M10. His charisma, professionalism, and pride in the work of Lions Foundation has been instrumental in increasing knowledge and support for the organization.
RUTH & JOSEPH SCHEMBRI
Mr. and Mrs. Schembri are long-time puppy raisers with Lions Foundation, currently fostering their seventh future Dog Guide. The Toronto couple is actively involved in LFC events and fundraisers throughout the year, and are among the top fundraisers in the Toronto West Purina® Walk for Dog Guides, working tirelessly to secure donations and raffle items each year for this top walk. Both wonderful spokespeople, Mr. Schembri has approached many individuals and companies for support – always with his current foster puppy in tow – resulting in significant referrals and donations made.
KAREN FEIKEMA
Ms. Feikema’s involvement with Lions Foundation goes back nearly ten years. When the Georgetown, Ont., resident first learned about the organization, the idea of helping people by matching them with dedicated service dogs touched her heart, and inspired her to assist that mission. Since that time, she has raised the funds to sponsor a total of 13 Dog Guide teams (and counting). A tireless ambassador, Ms. Feikema organizes the Passport to Freedom golf tournament, an annual event with all proceeds going to Dog Guides. Her dedication to Lions Foundation has raised an amazing $105,000.
CORPORATE PATRON: PET VALU
In 2014, Pet Valu became a national partner of Lions Foundation, and introduced a give-what-you-can calendar available for a donation at each of its stores in Canada. The results were more impressive than either party imagined, and raised more than $80,000. Pet Valu has since become LFC’s first Dog Guide Champion, sponsoring a team in all six Dog Guides programs. In the last year, their contributions have made possible two Hearing Ear, one Canine Vision, two Service, two Seizure Response, one Diabetic Alert and two Autism Assistance Dog Guides teams.
Dog Guides Happenings
Graduation Day
With classes in full swing, Dog Guides has already celebrated one graduation ceremony this fall. This October, graduates from September’s Canine Vision and Seizure Response classes were honoured. The ceremony also celebrated last spring’s Autism Assistance graduates.
As usual, the ceremony was a chance to bring together the many people who make these graduations possible. Puppy raisers, sponsors, and friends and family of the graduates were in attendance to give the grads their best wishes as they start new chapters with their Dog Guides.
Fall Open House
Hundreds of people made their way through the training centre in Oakville on October 17th for Dog Guides’ autumn open house event.
It’s a (Foster) Family Affair
LFC celebrated the contributions of its wonderful foster families with a Hawaiian-themed barbecue at the facility in Breslau in September. Future Dog Guide Duckie looks like a shoo-in for the costume contest.
Classes are in Session
Olivia works with her Seizure Response Dog Guide Chimo under the watchful eye of trainer Gloria earlier this fall. The Seizure Response class graduated at the October ceremony.
A Happy Tale to Colour
LFC is pleased to bring you a new gift shop item that entertains and educates. A Happy Tale is a colouring book that tells the story of Happy, a puppy on his journey to becoming a Dog Guide. This beautiful book was written and illustrated by puppy raiser Lynn Yamazaki, and the first run of printing was made possible through a donation from the foster families. Get your copy here.
Corporate Volunteer Days
TD Bank and Deloitte employees wash Dog Guides in training with direction from LFC’s Dave
Dog Guides got a helping hand (actually, many helping hands) in October when Deloitte and TD Bank Group rolled up their sleeves and took part in a corporate volunteer day. Employees gave back by assisting kennel staff with tasks such as washing Dog Guides in training. Our thanks to Deloitte and TD Bank Group!
Nursery News (Late August – October 2015)
· Zorba (Black Lab) and Ripken (Black Lab) welcomed seven puppies on August 17th
· Woopy (Black Lab) and Indie (Golden Retriever) welcomed 12 puppies on August 29th
· Fonda (Black Lab) and Vito (Yellow Lab) welcomed eight puppies on September 24th
· Bolly (Black Lab) and Holden (Black Lab) welcomed six puppies on October 14th
· Asia (Cream Standard Poodle) and Ruskin (Apricot Standard Poodle) welcomed 11 puppies on October 21st
Meet the Trainer
Tracy - Hearing Ear Dog Guide program
When Tracy was an undergraduate student studying psychology and delving into the great theorists of human behaviour, she didn’t realize the course content would be important preparation for a future career training dogs.
After completing her degree, the next step would be graduate school – or so she thought. Tracy had always been passionate about animals, and rode and trained horses, competing in equestrian events. While taking a break from school, she saw a T.V. interview with a guide dog trainer, and her future started to look much more clear.
“That was that,” she says. “I put in an application to work at Dog Guides, and didn’t even care what position it was for!” She found herself working in the kennels, learning the ropes. A trainer apprenticeship opened up shortly thereafter, and Tracy focused on the Hearing Ear and Service program (at the time known as Special Skills). Through studying psychology, Tracy was well versed in the notion of positive reinforcement: that positive consequences are an incredibly effective way to promote learning. When it came to training dogs, praise, treats and affection for a job well done led to quicker learning. “It’s a happier method, with happier results,” she says of merging her earlier learnings with on-the-job success experienced with the dogs she trains.
Training dogs to be Dog Guides is an important part of the job, of course, but so is supporting clients when they are matched with their Dog Guides. “Helping someone gain more independence, and also break down barriers and feel more confident is pretty amazing,” she says. “There’s magic when a team is working well together.”
Tracy loves the work she does, and enjoys promoting the foundation’s mission. “Many people aren’t aware of the Hearing Ear program, and don’t realize dogs can be trained to assist a handler who’s deaf or hard of hearing,” she says. “The look on their faces when they see what these dogs can do is really rewarding.”
When she’s not at work, you’ll likely find Tracy at the gym, playing guitar, or spending time with friends and family. She has two beloved pet dogs: Mac, a border collie-shepherd mix, and Amber, a Labrador-golden retriever cross.
Thank you for all your hard work, Tracy!
Purina® Walk for Dog Guides
An Autumn Stroll to Support Dog Guides
It was an amazing spring Walk season, bringing in a new grand total of funds raised by more than 200 supportive communities across the country. The amazingness has continued this fall! More than 20 communities chose the cooler weather to walk for Dog Guides, and the results have been nothing short of stellar.
From Rocky Mountain House, Alta. to Repentigny, Que., and Pouch Cove, N.L. to Ottawa, Ont., cities and towns large and small have rallied behind the cause of Giving Canadians a New Leash on Life.
Volunteer Profile
Sandra,
Office Administration
“Mom, can we get a dog?” Many parents are used to the hearing this refrain from animal-loving children, but in Sandra’s household, there was a different spin on the common request. “My daughter kept asking if we could foster a puppy,” says the Lions Foundation volunteer. “Eventually, we did, and that was my first introduction to Dog Guides.”
Tilley, the puppy her family fostered, went on to graduate as a Hearing Ear Dog Guide. Dropping Tilley off for formal training got Sandra wondering about other ways she might be able to support the organization’s mission. “Office work is something I know I can do, and it needs to get done,” says the former computer program analyst who assists the client services department at Dog Guides. “I file, process applications, put together clients’ graduation packages, and help out in the gift shop during special events. Whatever I can do to help, I will!”