Sask resident receives free guide dog
By Joan Janzen
The Eston Lions Club is closely associated with the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, whose head office is located in Oakville, Ontario. Sean Hartsook, Secretary of the Eston Club, said when distributing funds, the club makes Canada Dog Guides a priority. The Lions Foundation then informs the club when someone matches the club’s donation, thus enabling the purchase of a dog.
“We purchased a dog in the name of the late Lion, Wally Knight from Eston,” Hartsook explained. As a result, a man living in Central Butte, Sask. received a Guide Dog named Eddie.
“The dogs always stay within Canada, but it was nice to see one a little closer to home,” Hartsook said. “We got a kick out of it as a club because one of our members’ names is Eddie.” There are approximately 74 Lions members in Eston.
Lions Foundation of Canada (LFC) has one mandate: to provide free dog guides for Canadians. The dogs cost approximately $35,000.00 each to produce.
Dog Guides are trained at the facility in Oakville, Ontario, in seven different programs, which include: Canine Vision for people who are blind or have a visual impairment. Service - for people with a physical or mental disability. Dog guides are trained to retrieve objects, open and close appliances and/or doors, and trained to activate an alert system when help is needed.
They’re also trained for Hearing, for people who are deaf or hard of hearing to help them detect sounds they are unable to hear on their own. Dogs trained for Seizure Response are for people with epilepsy. The dog guides are capable of activating an alert system or barking for help in the event of a seizure.
Some guide dogs are trained for Autism Assistance, and other guide dogs are trained to help people who are Diabetic and insulin-dependent. These dogs are trained to detect sudden drops in their handler’s blood sugar and alert them so that they can ingest something sweet. Dog Guides are also trained for Facility Support.
The Dog Guide Career Change Program includes dogs who have retired or have been disqualified due to health reasons and are available to be adopted.
Everything about getting an LFC dog guide is provided free of charge.
In order to qualify for a potential dog guide, a client must apply and include testimony from a physician confirming a client’s disability. Upon receiving the application, an LFC staff member conducts an in-home assessment to ensure suitability.
After that, the client is provided free transportation to Oakville, for days or weeks of training. Accommodation and meals are also provided free of charge at Headquarters. Once clients are matched with a free dog, free transportation back home is provided, as well as a follow-up home visit by LFC staff.
Since 1983, LFC has matched 3200 Canadians with appropriate dog guides. Over 75 of the dogs have been brought home by Saskatchewan residents.
Gordon Ziegler, Secretary of the Richmound Lions Club, is the new provincial Ambassador in the LFC “The Difference.” This is a campaign to raise $25,000,000.00 for a new, larger training facility in Oakville, Ontario. Lion Ziegler makes himself available to give free presentations, as well as running a province-wide Blue Jays weekend raffle to help cover the costs of LFC dog guides for Saskatchewan residents.