Walk for Dog Guides

Walk for Dog Guides

For more than 30 years, the Walk for Dog Guides has been an important fundraising activities for Lions Foundation of Canada’s dog guides service.  The Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides is a national event that is held in more than 240 communities and in every province across Canada.  With the generous support of sponsors, 100% of the donations collected go towards providing the gift of mobility, safety and independence at no cost to Canadians from coast to coast.

The Ontario York Region Heritage Lions Club has continuously support the LFC dog guides service by running the annual walk in York Region for a decade.  We thanks all the walkers and donors supporting the services years after years.  We look forward to seeing you, and your furry friends coming to our next year walk! 

Lions Foundation of Canada - Dog Guide

Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guide Website:

https://www.dogguides.com/

Lions Foundation of Canada is a national charitable foundation created by Lions Clubs across Canada.  Its mission is to assist Canadians with a medical or physical disability by providing them Dog Guides at no cost.

Since 1983, LIons Foundation of Canada has provided specially trained Dog Guides to people of all ages from coast to coast.

Each Dog Guide costs approximately $35,000 to raise and train yet they are provided at no cost to qualified applicants.  Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides does not receive any government funding and relies on the support of fundraising events and donations from service clubs, corporations, foundations and individuals across the country.  

1) Canine Vision Dog Guides

Canine Vision Canada trains Dog Guides to help people who are blind or visually impaired.  These Dog Guides help create an increased sense of mobility for their handler.

Canine Vision Dog Guides…

- Are specially trained to navigated busy streets. stairs, escalators and other obstacles that are found on most daily routes.

2) Hearing Ear Dog Guides

Hearing Ear Doug Guides are trained to assist people who are deaf or hard of hearing.  With an increased sense of security, clients are able to feel comfortable in their own home.  These Dog Guides are taught to alert their handler to important sounds, make physical contact with their handler and lead them to the sounds.  

Hear Ear Dog Guides…

- Respond to sounds such as an alarm clock sounding, ringing phone and fire alarm.

- Respond to hand signals if handler uses sign language

3) Service Dog Guides

Service Dog Guides are trained to assist people with a physical disability, helping increase their sense of independence and mobility on a daily basis.

Service Dog Guides…

- Open and close doors

- Retrieve dropped items

- Can get help when needed

4) Seizure Response Dog Guides

Seizure Response Dog Guides assist individuals that experience frequent epileptic seizures.  They are trained to recognize and react to the onset of a seizure.  Handlers feel secure going out knowing that their Dog Guide is always by their side.

Seizure Response Dog Guides…

- Bark for help

- Are able to activate an alert system

- Provide comfort after a seizure

5) Autism Assistance Dog Guides

Helping children between ages 3-12 with autism spectrum disorder, Autism Assistance Dog Guide Guides provide safety, companionship and unconditional love.  Bonding with the Dog Guide helps both the child and their family gain increased independence and social interaction.

Autism Assistance Dog Guides…

- Provide calming relief for children in high anxiety situations

- Reduce the stress commonly experienced in public places

6) Diabetic Alert Dog Guides

Diabetic Alert Dog Guides assist people who have type 1 diabetes with hypoglycemic unawareness.  They are trained to detect sudden drops in their handler’s blood sugar through scent and alert them in the event of low.

Diabetic Alert Dog Guides…

- Bark for help

- Are able to activate an alert system

- Can retrieve food

- Provide comfort after a hypoglycemic episode

7) Facility Support Dog Guides

Facility Support dogs are for professional agencies that assist individuals in traumatic situations. These dogs are trained to provide on-scene support when requested to those most vulnerable in the community.

The training of a Dog Guide is an intensive four to six month period, training one-on-one with a qualified trainer.  Once fully trained, the dog is matched with its handler who then spends one to four weeks at the Oakville training facility, learning how to handle, trust and bond with their new Dog Guide.  Breeds commonly used are Labrador Retrievers, Poodles (for those who are allergic to dogs) and Golden Retrievers.

Foster Puppy Program

Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides operates its own breeding program.  At eight weeks of age, puppies are placed in foster homes for approximately one year.  Foster families house-train the puppies, teach them manners and basic obedience, as well as expose them to as many different situations, experiences and people as possible.  Foster families are the first step in the Dog Guide training process and everything that the puppy experience in their foster home will stay with them for a lifetime. 

加拿大獅子基金會 - 導引犬服務

加拿大獅子基金會是由加拿大全國各地獅子會共同建立的全國性慈善基金, 目的是為協助殘障或有醫療需要的加拿大人提供免費導引犬服務.  從1983年起, 加拿大獅子基金會為東西兩岸不同年齡的有需要人仕提供經特別訓練的導引犬服務.  每一隻導引犬由出生養育到完成訓練需花費大約$35,000加幣, 但基金會並不向合資格的使用者收取任何費用. 加拿大獅子基金會導引犬服務並無接受任何政府資助, 經費全依賴個人及機構捐助和從不同的籌款活動募集所得, 因此極需各界人仕支持.

1) 導盲犬服務

加拿大導盲犬服務為盲人或視障人仕訓練導盲犬.   導盲犬能夠提高使用者外出活動的能力.  經訓練的導盲犬能協助使用者在繁忙的街道中行走, 上落梯級, 電梯和避開路途中的障礙物.

2) 導聽犬

導聽犬為聾人或聽障人仕提供服務, 為使用者提高在家的安全感.  經訓練的導聽犬能協助使用者對日常生活中的重要聲音訊號作出反應, 牠們可以辨別鬧鐘,電話及火警訊號的聲響, 在聽到訊號時能用自已的肢體向使用者示意, 亦能帶領使用者走向聲響來源. 牠們也能對使用者的部份手語作出適當反應.

3) 肢體殘障人仕導引犬

肢障導引犬為行動不便的人仕提供服務, 協助他們在日常起居中的需要. 牠們可以開門, 拾回掉落物品, 在有需要時向他人警告求救.   牠們能為使用者增進自由行動及獨立生活的能力.

4) 癲癇症反應導引犬

癲癇症反應導引犬能為經常發生癲癇症發作的病人提供服務.   經訓練的導引犬能在病者癲癇症發作前辨出先兆訊號, 用肢體向病者提出預警.  在病者癲癇發作期間, 導引犬能向他人示警求救, 亦能協助啟動電子警報系統.  在病者癲癇發作後, 牠們也可安撫剛受驚的病者.  因為癲癇反應導引犬能常常陪伴在病者身旁, 這能減低病者在外出時對隨時發病的焦慮.

5) 自閉症兒童導引犬

自閉症兒童導引犬為有發展障礙的兒童提供服務.  經訓練的導引犬能為自閉症兒童在活動時提供安全保護, 作為有社交障礙兒童的玩伴, 也能為他們付出無私的關愛.  牠們在病童焦慮時提供安撫, 也能舒緩他們離家外出時常有的壓力.  導引犬可以和自閉症兒童建立可靠的關係, 同時也為病童及其家人提高社交和獨立能力.

6) 糖尿病低血糖預警導引犬

低血糖預警輔助犬為 1 型糖尿病 (胰島素依賴型糖尿病) 患者提供服務.  經訓練的導引犬能用嗅覺辨出病人突發的血糖急降, 向他們提出預警, 令他們在暈到前及時取用所需的糖份.  牠們可在有需要時向他人警告求救, 能協助啟動電子警報系統, 能協助使用者尋找食物, 也能在病者病發受驚後提供安撫.

導引犬訓練

一般導引犬會接受為期四至六個月的密集式訓練.  牠們會以單對單形式接受一名合資格訓練員的訓練. 完成訓練後, 導引犬將會配與一名使用者, 在位於奧克維爾市(Oakville)的訓練中心內一同生活大約一至四週. 期間使用者會學習如何使用和信任導引犬, 以及與該導引犬建立良好的關係.  導引犬的品種通常由拉布拉多尋回犬, 貴婦犬 (適合對犬隻較敏感的使用者) 和金毛尋回犬中挑選

導引幼犬寄養計劃

加拿大獅子基金會導引犬服務自行營運所需的犬隻繁殖計劃.  導引幼犬在出生八週後會被送往寄養家庭進行為期大約一年的寄養訓練.  寄養家庭需為導引幼犬在家中提供基本的教養及服從訓練, 同時亦會帶領幼犬接觸不同的人和事物. 寄養家庭訓練是導引幼犬訓練的第一步, 而牠在寄養家庭的體驗將會陪伴導引犬的一生.  加拿大獅子基金會會提供導引幼犬所需糧食, 亦會提供一般犬隻所需的醫療費用.

PetValu® Walk for Dog Guide 步行籌款

PetValu® Walk for Dog Guide 步行籌款是加拿大獅子基金會每年一度其中一項最重要的籌款活動.  該活動在加拿大全國各省超過二百多個社區內舉行.   募得款項全數用於服務加國東西兩岸有需要人仕身上, 為他們提高活動能力, 保障生活安全和協助他們擁有自已的獨立生活.