Canine partnership enhances quality of life

Sharon McLeay
Times Contributor

 

The term ‘working dog’ usually applies to stock or rescue dogs, but there is a special category that applies to dogs trained to assist handicapped people cope with tasks of daily life.
Local farmer Mel Foat suddenly lost his sight and was fortunate enough to quickly gain his yellow lab named Walker, through the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides organization.
Since 1983, the Lions Foundation of Canada has provided specially trained dog guides to over 2,150 people in Canada. The training and breeding facilities are located in Ottawa. They provide guide dogs for visually impaired, hearing impaired, physically disabled, epileptic, autistic and diabetes 1 patients.
Foat said that his application was referred to the foundation in July, and a representative from the foundation came out and interviewed him to ensure his suitability.
“Its almost a similar process to adopting a child,” said Foat.
They measured his walking pace and height for the harness, and they began to look for a dog whose demeanor would be a match for Foat.
In January, Foat flew down to Ontario to begin his training at the complex and likened the process to going to camp.
There were a number of people with special needs at the complex, all training with their dog companions. The applicants slept and ate at the complex and the dogs eventually stayed in the rooms, as part of the bonding process. Foat said they were responsible for walking and feeding their canine partners. They were required to maneuver through an obstacle course. The teams were eventually taken into the city to practice their learned skills.
Partners sign a contract to retain the dog and it is valid for eight years, so the dogs are essentially on loan. During that time, the foundation does periodic follow-up to ensure the dog is being cared for appropriately. After the eight years, the dogs can be adopted by the partners.
Foat has been giving motivational speaking engagements and promotes the organization in his work. He said that Walker has become a celebrity in the community.
“The community looks out for us and many of the children recognize Walker when we are out,” said Foat. “This has become a passion for me and in a way given me a new purpose in life.”
For more information and opportunities to donate, check out their website (www.guidedogs.com).