Wylie ready to run into retirement
After giving birth to her fourth litter in May, busy mom is retiring as breeding dog for guides
After seven years of service, four litters and 33 puppies, Wylie is ready to hang it up — or at the very least, put her paws up.
And if anyone deserves the freedom and enjoyment of retirement, it is this golden retriever.
Christina Galante, an autism assistance instructor with Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides (LFCDG), has fostered Wylie since she was about 10 weeks old. She expected Wylie to be with her for about a year before heading into one of LFCDG’s training programs, but it was soon decided Wylie would be kept as a breeding dog – not only because she was a cooperative breed but because of her temperament.
“She’s very, very sweet, she loves everybody. She loves to be with her people which is probably the biggest thing and she loves to please,” said Galante. “She goes around and spends time saying hi to all the people rather than actually playing with the other dogs.”
On May 9, Wylie gave birth to her final litter of eight puppies through a C-section and for the next seven weeks she will stay with her newborns until they are ready for their own foster homes. Galante’s experience and knowledge — training begins very early getting them used to human contact by clipping their nails and petting them often — allowed Wylie and her puppies to return home.
Once the puppies are placed, Wylie’s role as a female breeder will be complete and Galante said she has the option of adopting her as a pet, which, she said “I, of course, will do.”
Two of Wylie’s litters have already completed their training through LFCGD, with the third set to begin that process. One puppy has graduated and now works in the facility support program, and last month two puppies graduated from its autism program, starting their journeys which Galante said is going “really well.”
Two other puppies graduated from a program in Alberta, Dogs with Wings, through its family support and autism programs.
“It’s been really nice to see her puppies grow up as well, especially when they come in for training … I see the similarities of Wiley,” said Galante. “She would have been an incredible service dog but I think it’s so awesome that’s she’s actually making more dogs that are just like her and going out and able to help people.”
LFCDG runs seven programs, with puppies placed depending on their suitability. In addition to autism assistance — for children diagnosed on the spectrum — its other programs include canine vision, hearing for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, service, for those with a medical or physical disability, seizure response, diabetic alert and facility support.
The last one is a relatively new program, matching a dog with a professional agency focused on assisting people in traumatic situations, explained Maria Galindo, LFCDG communications manager.
“They are actually helping hundreds and hundreds of children, women or individuals that are going through the court system and maybe have to provide testimony and the dog provides support to them,” she said.
The organization turns 40 this year, and demand remains high across its seven programs — only getting higher as people learn what the dogs are capable of doing. Niagara alone has more than 15 dog guides actively working with children and adults.
It costs LFCDG about $35,000 per dog to breed, train and match with Canadians across the country, but because it doesn’t receive government funding, it relies on donations and fundraising, including its biggest and “most vital” event, Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides.
On Sunday, May 28, Niagara will host one of the many walks taking place across the country, with two in St. Catharines, as well as walks in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Port Colborne and Grimsby.
With a goal of $4 million this year, any donation can make an impact, said Galindo, from purchasing a vaccine or an extra alarm for hearing dog training, and allow them to continue to do what they do.
Anyone interested in joining the walk can visit walkfordogguides.com.