The Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, located in Oakville with a breeding and training facility in Breslau, is the only school to train Dog Guides in seven distinct programs. Photo Credit: Dog Guides website
Lions Roar
By Lion Bob Reddick
One of the great service projects that Lion Clubs all over the world participate in is dog guide and service programs. The Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides was established in 1985; since then, Canadian Lions have supported this national foundation, which provides dog guides for seven specialized programs at no cost to the handler. These are:
- Vision: Assisting people who are blind or visually impaired by safely navigating obstacles, stopping at curbs and avoiding traffic hazards.
- Hearing: Alert handlers to important sounds like smoke alarms, sirens and doorbells.
- Mobility: Help handlers with physical impairments by opening doors, retrieving dropped items and providing balance support.
- Medical Alert Dogs: Provide early warnings for their handler, such as drops in blood sugar and oncoming cardiac events.
- Seizure Response/Alert – Warn handlers before an epileptic seizure occurs or react during and after a seizure by fetching medication, pressing emergency alert buttons, or blocking the person from injury.
- Autism Service Dogs: Provide safety, sensory grounding, and behavioral interruption for individuals, often children on the autism spectrum, helping them to prevent wandering and ease sensory overload.
- Psychiatric Service Dogs: Support handlers with mental health conditions like PTSD, severe anxiety, or panic disorders by grounding them during flashbacks, performing room searches, or creating personal space in crowds.
The full journey of a Dog Guide is long and expensive. It costs approximately $35,000 to breed, raise, train and match a Dog Guide with a person. The Foundation relies on donations to operate the program and does not receive any government funding. Over 80% of their annual national fundraising walks are organized by Lions Clubs. (dogguides.com)
When a litter is old enough to leave the nursery, each puppy spends about a year with a foster family. During that time, the Dog Guide is learning and being carefully prepared for its working role. The LFCDG have a very specific program that includes guidance and clear and detailed instructions on how to train and care for the dog.
Some tips: If you see a harness or vest on a guide dog, you should give them space so the dog can focus on their handler. Ask before interacting with a Dog Guide, and inquire if the person needs assistance and don’t be offended if they say no. You should not offer treats or allow your dog to approach a working Dog Guide, and please do not ask the handler what type of disability they have.
If you wish to learn more or contribute, go to the Lion Foundation of Canada Dog Guides website at dogguides.com.