CNIB looking for puppy trainers for new guide dog program

The Canadian National Institute for the Blind is looking for volunteers to help them with some very special clients.

As part of its 100th year of operation, the CNIB is launching its own Guide Dog Program aimed at raising and training guide dogs exclusively for people with sight loss in Canada.

The CNIB says approximately half a million Canadians are estimated to be living with significant vision loss that impacts their quality of life, and more than 50,000 lose their sight each year in the country.

One reason the institute is starting to train its own guide dogs is a shortage in Canada; many people have had to go to the United States to get a dog. Of the estimated 800 guide dogs currently working in Canada, only about 200 of them were actually trained here.

It’s also become increasingly difficult to get a guide dog that has been specifically trained for blind and partially sighted people.

“In Canada there are already guide dog schools, but these schools have branched out to do other types of service dogs for different disabilities,” said Karen Hanlon, manager of K9 training for the CNIB. “At the moment the waiting list is very long. People can wait as long as two to three years before getting a guide dog.”

Thirty dogs are expected to be the first to enter the program. In Toronto, the organization is looking for “Puppy Raisers,” willing to take the animals into their home from eight weeks of age until they are about 12 to 15 months old. The trainers teach them simple things like sitting and lying down, take them for walks on leash and especially help to socialize them with people and other dogs.

The CNIB says it will pay for the cost of food and vet bills

Program manager Andrew Hanlon said having a guide dog is a transformational experience for someone without sight.

“The qualified guide dog really provides a huge sense of freedom and confidence to the guide dog users,” he explained. “It means that people who have previously been stuck in the house, can’t get out as much as they would like to, are able to fulfill their dreams.”

While the puppies are cute, Karen said the fostering program is not for everyone. You must mostly be at home and commit the time and effort to train the dogs — and you have to be prepared to part with them after about a year’s time.

“I think a lot of people don’t even consider puppy raising because of that,” she said. “They can’t imagine how they would ever do that.”

If you are interested in being part of the program, visit cnibguidedogs.ca for more information.