LET YOUR DOG BE YOUR GUIDE
Dogs have life-changing impact beyond essential tasks, expert says
It’s a match made in heaven! Black standard poodle Liscio is much more than just a pet for Michelle Woolfrey — he’s her eyes.
Woolfrey lost her sight 11 years ago to a rare brain condition and the Lions Foundation’s Canine Vision Canada (CVC) program matched her up with Liscio six months ago.
“As a fourth-year undergrad student looking to start law school soon, Liscio gives me the independence that I need to be successful,” Woolfrey says. “We live together in downtown Toronto and we navigate the TTC together daily.
“Liscio keeps me safe and he allows me to confidently live my life like any of my sighted 27-year-old peers do.”
Liscio is Woolfrey ’s third Seeing Eye dog and they will walk in an upcoming Pet Valu Walk for Guide Dogs, held in about 300 communities across Canada. Most are on May 27, the national walk date.
You don’t need to have a dog to sign up at walkforguidedogs.com and come out for the walk.
A dog guide costs an average of $25,000, and they are provided free of charge to qualifying Canadians.
The foundation is hoping to raise $1.5 million at the upcoming walks, with 100 per cent of the funds going to raise, train and place service dogs for vision, hearing, service, seizure response, autism assistance and diabetic alert programs. The foundation relies solely on donations and fundraising activities.
Dog guides change handlers’ lives forever, says Woolfrey. She is taking part in the walk to help an organization that “dedicates their time and efforts to ensuring that people like me can have the independence we deserve but don’t always have access to in this very inaccessible world.”
To date, more than 2,700 Dog Guides have been placed with individuals across Canada. Last year, 183 dogs were placed, and there are waiting lists, according to Alex Ivic, director of Dog Guide Programs.
“The dogs provide real impact beyond essential tasks but also provide a better quality of life for people — they change lives.”
The goal is to place 200 dog guides this year, says walk manager Tara Monks. She reports that more than $15 million has been raised to date through the walks.
“Our national sponsor, Pet Valu, generously covers all the administrative costs so that 100 per cent of the funds raised go to the school.”
P.E.I. resident Jeff Poirier and his black lab guide dog Rhyme will be taking part in the walk this month. Poirier got Rhyme six months ago to assist him with the effects of his degenerative neuromuscular disease.
“She’s an extension of my arms by picking up things I’ve dropped, she ensures my safety by alerting people to us when I need help and just generally makes my life so much easier.”
Rhyme helps Poirier get out of his jacket, gets his slippers and even fetches things from the fridge. And best of all, she is the best mood booster around.
“I want to spread the word about how life-changing these guide dogs are by showing people first-hand the difference they can make,” he says.
“Most of all, I want to help raise money to assist with housing, feeding and training these adorable puppies, and to help make this dream come true for someone else.”