Future guide dogs stealing hearts
There was some serious puppy love going on at the CNIB offices in Halifax this week as the organization showed off four new cuties destined to become guide dogs for blind or visually impaired people.
One black and three yellow lab pups romped around under the watchful eyes of their volunteer raisers and local media.
Catherine Kieran is one of those puppy raisers.
“At this point, we’re just making sure that they’re socialized appropriately,” Kieran said. “Today, the puppies are getting together for a play date here at CNIB. And they’re just so thrilled to see each other because, of course, they’re litter-mates.”
Kieran, who is Atlantic Canada’s communications manager for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, looks after Sherman. The others in attend-
ance were Alicia Newton and her black lab Marion, Patti Sullivan with Daisy and Elaine Mattatall with Dunston.
The puppies are all 10 weeks old. They arrived in Halifax in late January so have only been here about two weeks. The four come from Australia’s Career Dogs, a breeder focused on producing guide dogs. Two more puppies are on their way.
The puppy raisers are responsible for providing safe and loving homes for the little dogs for the next 12 to 15 months. They’re tasked with providing the pups with new experiences, socialization and some basic obedience training. They must get them used to all kinds of different environments and situations, so they are prepared for more formal training later.
“This is my first puppy, so I can liken it to having a toddler again,” Kieran said. “It’s a lot of running interference, keeping them from chewing on things that they shouldn’t be chewing on because right now, they’re all in kind of a teething phase. But it’s not challenging at all. I’m loving every moment of it.”
Newton, cradling the tired Marion in her arms, said she has raised a puppy to be a guide dog before, when she lived in Ottawa more than 20 years ago. Now living in Dartmouth, Newton said she lucked out with Marion.
“She’s very confident. I’ve got a good puppy,” she said. “She hasn’t stopped at anything. She hasn’t balked at any doors or cracks like when you go on an elevator.”
Looking at the pup’s little mug, one would think it will be difficult to give her up in a little over a year.
“Yeah, it is going to be hard,” she said, but then added with a chuckle. “Then we’ll just do it again. They’ll give you another one. You can start over.”
The CNIB program is relatively new, having started in April. Guide dogs are also available through Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind. The member of the Canadian Association of Guide and Assistance Dog Schools has been in operation since 1984.
There are now 10 puppies being raised in Toronto, four in Halifax with two on the way, and another six in Winnipeg. Thirteen families in the Halifax area have been screened for puppy raising. Most costs like vet service and food are covered, although you can always buy the puppy toys.