February 2016 - Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides

Canine Courier
LIONS FOUNDATION OF CANADA DOG GUIDES
February 2016
and they called it
PUPPY L0VE
Graduates’
Corner
Graduate Update:
Martha & Quinnah
Dog Guides
Happenings
This new feature brings our
graduates a tail-wagging message
from the Client Services’ desk.
Martha has never been one to let a
challenge stand in her way. Now with
a Seizure Response Dog Guide named
Quinnah by her side, “nothing is off limits.”
It was another year of positive new
beginnings for Canadians matched with
Dog Guides in 2015. Now, thanks to your
support, this year is off to a strong start.
Read their story on page 3
See what else is happening
Read what Grads need to know
DONATE
N W
Canine Courier
Table of
Contents
February 2016
3
Graduate Update
4
11
Out & About
Ask Dr. Dawg
Meet the
Trainer
Wish List &
Nersery News
12
Barking News
13
6 14
Dog Guides Happenings
Amazing Donors
Graduates’ Corner
10
16
17
Congrats Grads
Purina® Walk for
Dog Guides
15
Volunteer Profile
18
22
Legacy Leader
Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides
152 Wilson St. Oakville, ON L6K 0G6
(905)842-2891 • (800)768-3030
PURINA® WALK FOR DOG GUIDES:
Merilyn - Ext. 231 [email protected]
FUNDRAISING:
Julie - Ext. 223 [email protected]
APPLY FOR A DOG GUIDE:
Megan - Ext. 222 [email protected]
EVENTS:
Emelia - Ext. 226 [email protected]
www.dogguides.com
Graduate Update
Martha & Quinnah
Entrepreneurial
Grad Strikes
Work-Life
Balance with
Dog Guide
Martha has never been one to let a
challenge stand in the way of reaching
a goal. “I’m a really independent
person,” stresses the Kitchener, Ont.
resident. So it’s hardly surprising that
living with epilepsy hasn’t stopped the
young entrepreneur from travelling
the globe, living on her own, and
starting her own company.
“I found, though, that I was avoiding
certain situations without even
realizing it,” she reflects. “Simple
things, like getting up in the morning
and walking to the grocery store –
there was this fear of having a seizure,
so I wouldn’t do it.” Diagnosed with
juvenile myoclonic epilepsy around
age 14, the condition was something
she’d learn to deal with. But after
a particularly difficult New Year’s
Eve two years ago in which she
experienced multiple seizures in one
day and faced a lengthy recovery,
Martha decided there had to be better
ways to deal with it. “I was doing
research online when I found Lions
Foundation of Canada Dog Guides’
website,” she says. Last spring, she
met Quinnah, her Seizure Response
Dog Guide.
During the first week of her handlers’
training in Oakville, she describes a
Take me out to the ballgame: Martha and her Dog Guide Quinnah
cheered on the Blue Jays last fall
surreal experience. Having just been – not always sleeping enough, or
matched with her Dog Guide, she was
letting my stress levels get too high
working one-on-one with the trainers. – and these things are not good for
“I had to mimic having a seizure so
my epilepsy,” Martha says. “Quinnah
Quinnah could respond to it,” she
makes it necessary for me to take a
says. “So my sister was helping me
break and have downtime.”
do this since it’s hard to tell what your
As the team approaches its first
own seizures look like, and all of the
anniversary this spring, Martha is still
sudden, Quinnah starts barking. She
as independent as ever, but now has
did exactly what she’d been trained to
a constant companion who keeps
do, and I thought right there, ‘I have
her safe. “Every day I feel this weight
this amazing new way to live my life.’”
has lifted. With Quinnah by my side,
The benefits Quinnah brings are thanks
nothing is off limits.”
to her training – she watches over
Dog Guide Quinnah was provided to
Martha, ready to react to the onset
Martha thanks to a sponsorship by
of a seizure. She goes everywhere
Care-Alive, the Caroline Cunningham
with Martha so that if a seizure does
Foundation for Epilepsy, which is
occur, she will bark for help. But other
dedicated to supporting people with
benefits have been less expected. “I
epilepsy and their families.
definitely have workaholic tendencies
Canine Courier • 3
Dog
Guides
Happenings
New Beginnings
Puppy Boom
January seemed to be the Month of the Puppy, with 29 future
Dog Guides born in one week alone. Now into February, the
puppy boom doesn’t seem to be slowing down, keeping our
intrepid Puppy Program staff on their toes!
Check out page 17 for all the latest Nursery News.
David walks with his new Canine Vision Dog Guide, Doyle,
in Oakville before returning home to Lethbridge, Alta.
in December.
It was another year of positive new chapters for Canadians
who were matched with Dog Guides in 2015. Thanks to the
support of thousands of donors from coast to coast, Lions
Foundation is able to meet its mission of providing these
life-changing dogs at no cost to those who benefit from
their assistance. On behalf of everyone at Lions Foundation,
and all our graduates, thank you!
Proud mama Haiku gave birth to seven puppies the first
week of February
Canine Courier • 4
Dog
Guides
Happenings
Foster Pups Take Over the Six
Foster families raising the next generation of Dog Guides organized an annual outing to the Toronto Eaton Centre during
the holiday season. This is the 13th year in a row the excursion to the shopping and tourist destination has taken place, and
more than 40 Dog Guide puppies (and a few graduates, too) made it out. Thank you to all the puppy raisers who contribute
so much of their time, love, and support to Dog Guides.
Diabetic Alert Program Grows
This year’s auction has an exciting twist: it’s going online so
supporters across Canada can get in on the fun! Stay Home
and Bid is an auction without an event component, and will
instead invite you to get in on the action from the comfort
of your home. Each week in April, new items will be up for
bid, and a new set of winners announced.
Lions Foundation is currently seeking items to auction off,
all in support of Dog Guides’ programming. If you have an
item, an experience, or even if you’ve accumulated rewards
points, Lions Foundation would be grateful to receive
donations from across our country. Suggested items
include electronics, wine, dining gift cards to restaurants
with locations across Canada, or jewelry.
To donate please contact Emelia Froom at
905.842.2891 ext. 223, or [email protected]
See the website or watch your inbox for more details.
Graduates from the most recent Diabetic Alert class
train with their Dog Guides
In 2013, Dog Guides introduced its sixth program. It was
developed to assist people with type 1 diabetes with
hypoglycemic unawareness. Now two years old, this
program is well established, and helping to improve life for
more and more people across Canada who are in danger
of experiencing blood-sugar lows without any physiological
cues to alert them to these lows. The most recent Diabetic
Alert class graduated last week. For more information about
the Diabetic Alert program, visit here.
Canine Courier • 5
Amazing Donors
A Regal Gift
Last summer, Lions Foundation
received a phone call from an amazing
woman who wanted to make a
difference in someone's life.
Marion Davidson's goal was to cover
the complete costs of breeding,
training and matching a Canine Vision
Dog Guide, and through a postretirement job with Regal Gifts, a
national catalogue company, she had
saved $25,000 to do just that.
Later this year, her goal will be fully
realized, and Marion will meet the
Dog Guide team whose partnership
her wonderful donation enabled.
You can read more about Marion
and her incredible contribution here.
Marion with Future Dog Guide Yedi
The Sound
of Support
When it comes to enhancing people's
ability to hear the world around
them, Unitron and Lions Foundation
share the same values. That's why
the company, which designs and
manufactures hearing instruments,
is a lead supporter of Dog Guides'
Hearing Ear program. Unitron
also makes a difference through
volunteering, which brings its staff up
close and personal with the causes
they support. In January they visited
the training school to help keep the
kennels spick and span, bathe and
groom Dog Guides in training, and
spruce up the grounds before winter
settles in. Thank you, Unitron!
Unitron staff take a quick break to play with two Dog Guides in training
during a recent volunteer day
Canine Courier • 6
Amazing Donors
Tobah Rabah, Nathan
Vet Clinic gets
Big Boost from
Boehringer
Nathan with his Dog Guide, Morty, and Sniffles, the Autism Assistance
Dog Guide his donation is supporting
Instead of gifts for his milestone Bar Mitzvah, Nathan requested donations be
made towards the sponsorship of an Autism Assistance Dog Guide. He wanted
another boy and his family to experience the same sort of safety and support he's
had with his Dog Guide, Morty. After the big event, Lions Foundation received a
donation from Nathan and his family that covers the $12,000 sponsorship of a
future Autism Assistance team. Thank you to Nathan for his amazing generosity
and compassion!
Training in Style
Boehringer Brand manager Karen
Klassen was visited by Morris, a
future Dog Guide
It's crucial that Dog Guide puppies and
Dog Guides in training receive the best
care possible. Thanks to Boehringer
Ingelheim Canada Ltd., LFC Dog Guides
is getting major support in doing
just that. The company has made
an outstanding contribution to our
veterinary clinic by donating vaccines
and certain medicines for roughly 400
puppies and dogs in training - enough
to supply LFC for an entire year!
Recent cold weather provided an opportunity to road-test the latest gift
to LFC Dog Guides. Greenhawk has generously donated jackets from the
Shedrow K9 line to keep Dog Guides in training warm while working with
their trainers outdoors. Poodles Vita (Hearing Ear program), Olga (future
Service Dog Guide) and Vernon (a Canine Vision Dog Guide in training) were
happy to pose in their new threads.
To learn more about Boehringer
Ingelheim Ltd.'s contributions and
commitments, visit here.
Canine Courier • 7
Amazing Donors
PJs Pets
Pet Valu
PJs staff including Frank Linhart, Amy Young, Jennifer
Innes & Tammy Johnson pose with LFC staff and
Dog Guides in training
Michael with his Diabetic Alert Dog Guide, Nico.
The team is one of the most recent to be
sponsored by Pet Valu
PJ’s Pets and its family of stores (including Oliver Pets & Co.,
and Petculture) recently presented Lions Foundation with
the results of their annual in-store fundraising campaign,
which took place last November. The gift amounted to a
wonderful $13,719 to support Dog Guides Autism Assistance
and Diabetic Alert programs.
Pet Valu (which includes Paulmac’s and Bosley’s stores) has
been a wonderful supporter of Dog Guides programming,
sponsoring a total of 21 graduating teams so far. Most recently,
they sponsored two west-coast graduates in the Diabetic
Alert program, and past sponsorships have supported
teams in all programs, and from all regions of Canada.
Our thanks to everyone at PJs Pets and its customers for
this significant contribution, and their continued support!
Thank you to Pet Valu for its continued commitment to our
graduates!
There are other ways PJ’s Pets and Pet Valu (and their families of stores) support our grads.
See page 10 for a cool way to save on purchases for your Dog Guide!
Canine Courier • 8
Amazing Donors
Dog Guide Sponsorships
Special Thanks
You can make a tangible difference in the life of a Canadian
with a physical or medical disability through sponsoring
a Dog Guide team. Now more than ever, the Autism
Assistance program is in need of support. Autism Assistance
Dog Guides become constant companions and provide
important safety for children on the autism spectrum – a
difference the entire family benefits from.
Thank you to the organizations and foundations listed
below who recently made generous donations to support
Lions Foundation’s mission.
For more information about the Autism Assistance
program, visit here.
To learn more about sponsorships, visit here.
Foundations supporting:
•
•
•
•
•
Corporate supporters:
•
•
•
•
•
It Takes
a Village...
Supporters of Dog Guides are
always coming up with inventive,
inspiring ways to raise funds,
and provide more Dog Guides.
Watch this space for the latest
events across Canada that you
may wish to support.
The Leonard and Gabryela Osin Foundation
The Fenella Foundation
President's Choice Children's Charity
Halton Helping Hands
Kreiner Family Fund
Boehringer Canada Ltd.
Pet Valu and Bosley’s
PJ’s Pets
Toronto Airline Operators
Unitron Hearing
A Cause for Country,
Saturday, April 16th Edmonton, Alta.
This concert is sure to delight country music fans, and with
funds supporting Dog Guides, how can you go wrong?
The show will feature performances by headliner Cory
Marquardt, with Steve Newsome, Outlaw Matty Rose
and Maddison Krebs. The organizers of the show know
firsthand what a Dog Guide can do – their family is the
recipient of an Autism Assistance Dog Guide.
If you’re in the Edmonton area, purchase tickets here.
Check out these upcoming events and fundraising
initiatives to get inspired or get involved:
Hairless for Hearing, March 13th
Barrie Vision Gala, May 16th
Garrett McRae Foundation online fundraiser
Canine Courier • 9
Graduates Corner
A Message from the Client Services Desk
Be Prepared!
If you haven’t already, consider making an emergency preparedness kit for your Dog Guide. The government
suggests that all Canadians be able to “shelter in place” for up to 72 hours in case of an emergency. Pack a
duffle bag that you can keep in a convenient location with everything you would need to care for your dog.
Your kit should include copies of your vaccination records, ID card and condition of placement. It should
also include a supply of food, medication and water. Remember to rotate the food with a fresh supply every
two months. Keep in mind that in the event of an emergency evacuation, your Dog Guide must go with you
to the evacuation centre. Stay safe and be prepared!
As always, you can reach Client Services by contacting Megan Stewart.
Discounts for Grads
Pet Valu and PJ’s Pets are wonderful supporters of Dog Guides programming. Now, they’re sharing the love
with our graduates even more by each offering a discount of 10% on all items in stores! The discounts apply
at each’s family of stores as well, which means Dog Guides grads can now enjoy savings at the following
locations:
• Pet Valu and its family of stores including Paulmac’s and Bosley’s
**discount will be applied after a one-time sign-up using your client ID card.
• PJ’s Pets and its family of stores including PetCulture and Oliver Pets & Co.
Thank you to Pet Valu and PJ’s Pets for extending these savings!
Canine Courier • 10
Dog
Guides
Out & About
Ground Control to
Major Dog
Those Are FunnyLooking Dogs
Subterranean
Dog Guide
Faith and her Service Dog Guide
Brownie met astronaut, author,
musician and all-around amazing
Canadian Chris Hadfield at an in-store
event last fall.
Future Dog Guide Felton got a glimpse
of two officers from the Toronto Police
Service Mounted Unit this winter.
Look at that composure!
Hearing Ear graduate Andrea explores
the Luray Caverns in Virginia along
with her daughter and her Dog Guide,
Adison.
A Whole New World
Lest We Forget
Close Encounters
Jalen and his Autism Assistance
Dog Guide Zeppelin got to meet
Princess Jasmine and Aladdin on a
family trip to Disney World this winter.
Beaches Lions Club president and
Canine Vision graduate Karoline
participated in a Toronto-area
Remembrance Day ceremony with
Dog Guide Fenton at her side.
Dog Guide puppies Wafer and Zach
will be well prepared, should they
encounter any yetis in their future
careers.
Canine Courier • 11
Meet the Trainer
Sarah
Trainer, Autism Assistance program
Sarah with Dog Guide Freesia and friends during a taping of TVO Kids’ Now You Know.
The episode featuring Dog Guides airs in March.
Growing up, Sarah was sure of two things: she wanted to be a mother, and she wanted to work with animals. Today,
she’s accomplished that and more, with a young family and an established career training dogs to help other families.
Sarah’s work prepares dogs to be Autism Assistance Dog
Guides. These specially trained canines provide safety and
companionship to children on the autism spectrum, and
become a vital part of the support system for the child’s
parents or caregivers.
“One of the best parts of the job is seeing the ways Dog Guides
transform families,” she says. “A parent might say to me at first,
‘my child won’t do that,’ or ‘that will never work for us.’ Then I
follow up with them after some time has passed, and they tell
me excitedly, ‘Guess what my child did!’” she says. “It’s a great
feeling.”
Sarah’s journey with Dog Guides began with a high school coop placement when she was just 17 years old. “I went to an
Open House [at the training centre] where I spoke to one of the
trainers, and asked a ton of questions,” she says. “I was very
focused.” That focus paid off, and after her co-op stint ended,
Sarah landed a job working in the kennels, and later, with the
Foster Puppy Program.
Those stepping stones developed her professionalism, and
paved the way for a career working as a trainer in the Hearing
Ear program, which followed the completion of a three-year
apprenticeship with Dog Guides. Then in 2009, with the launch
of the Autism Assistance program, exciting new opportunities
beckoned.”
Ongoing learning is a big part of the job. “I’m always making
myself more aware,” she says. “I’ll attend conferences, health
fairs, and read everything I can to learn more about autism and
how it affects families.”
One of the biggest lessons learned? “Patience is so important,
and not just when you’re working with dogs,” she says. “When
helping parents learn to work with their Dog Guides, you’re
helping them be strong leaders, and we don’t get it overnight.
Every day is something new.”
To learn more about the Autism Assistance program, visit here.
If you’d like to support the training of Autism Assistance Dog
Guides, you can specify that you’d like your funds directed to
the program when making a donation.
Canine Courier • 12
Lions Foundation Barking News
Maclean’s Cool Job Series
Maclean’s magazine runs a regular feature called Cool Jobs, which features a Q-and-A with people across Canada who
have – you guessed it – cool jobs! Last November, LFC’s own Angela Bentivegna, who trains Hearing Ear Dog Guides, was
featured. Check out the interview and video here.
Students and Dogs Learn Dog Guide Helps Surrey Boy
Valuable Lessons
Face Life with Autism
The University of Guelph’s publication
The Ontarion has taken notice of all
the adorable pups in green jackets
on campus, and recently featured
an interview with Kristina Seidel, a
student, puppy raiser, and president
of the University of Guelph Campus
Lions Club.
Check out the full feature here.
Tiny Township
Takes the Plunge
A Surrey, B.C. family received an
amazing gift last year, just in time for
the holidays. Read about Zane and his
Autism Assistance Dog Guide, Indy, and
hear about how life has changed for
the whole family, thanks to Indy.
Once again, the Tiny Township Lions
Club braved the icy waters of Georgian
Bay to raise funds for LFC. The New
Year’s Day plunge is becoming an annual
event that raises funds and awareness
for the work of the foundation.
The interview in Vancouver Metro
features insights from Zane’s mom,
Karolyn.
If you can brave the chill see all the
photos here.
Canine Courier • 13
Get Ready for the
2016
“Kiwi is an extension of my
arms and legs - she’s my
canine personal support worker!
The weather outside may be frightful, but spring is right around
the corner, and that means Walk season is upon us. (Hurrah!)
Now’s the time for Walk organizers to register their details online,
and start spreading the word in their communities. For Walk
participants, we hope you’ll get a jump-start on your fundraising
efforts by signing up early and encouraging friends, family,
coworkers and neighbours to get in on the fun and support the
Walk, too.
This year, we all share in the ambitious goal of surpassing last
year’s fundraising record, and are motivated to support Lions
Foundation’s mission of giving Canadians a new leash on life.
That’s the Walk’s tagline, and this year’s promotional materials
feature a team that embodies its message: Brampton, Ont.’s
Tammy with her Service Dog Guide, Kiwi. (That’s them pictured
here.)
Be sure to follow Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides on
Facebook for updates, inspiration, and materials you’re welcome
to share with your own networks.
Visit the recently-revamped Walk website for more information
or to register, and – as always – you can get in touch with Walk
Manager Merilyn Lethbridge for further details:
www.purinawalkfordogguides.com
1 (800) 768-3030 Ext. 231 or [email protected]
Kiwi picks up items for me,
opens doors, gives money to
store clerks if I can’t reach the
counter, and even helps with
the laundry.
Because of the
Purina Walk for Dog Guides
and the generosity of Canadians,
I have Kiwi as a teammate,
and a constant companion.” –
®
Graduate Tammy,
with Service Dog Guide Kiwi
Your participation in the Walk will support more
wonderful partnerships. Help ensure Canadians
can benefit from a new leash on life, and can be
Dog Guides
Guides like
like Kiwi.
Kiwi.
matched with life-changing Dog
Canine Courier • 14
Volunteer Profile
Linda, puppy raiser
Puppy Love and a Cross-Canada Connection
Linda says goodbye to Yoshi
Raising future Dog Guides is hard work, and perhaps the
toughest aspect is knowing you will eventually say goodbye.
Puppy raisers are able to look past the sadness, however, and
see that they are actually contributing something wonderful to
a future partnership.
Linda is someone who knows this very well. After retiring from
a career as a special education teacher in 2010, she knew she
still had a lot to give. In 2013, she found “the most incredible
volunteer work imaginable.” That year, she fostered her first
puppy. This year, she is raising her fourth.
“I’ve often said to my husband, Bill, that I’ve come to realize
the power of a puppy,” Linda says. “You never know what that
stranger you meet in the mall or grocery store may be dealing
with, but when they set eyes on the puppy in its Future Dog
Guide jacket, they inevitably smile.”
Linda and her family open their home to these playful future
Dog Guides, reinforcing basic training, providing opportunities
for socialization, and ensuring the pups meet several milestones
on their paths to becoming working dogs.
Recently, Linda had the chance to see her hard work come full
circle. Her second puppy, Yoshi, a female Labrador retriever,
Yoshi with Catherine
graduated in the Hearing Ear program, and was matched with
Catherine, a resident of Victoria, B.C.
Yoshi is now living and working across the country, but the
distance didn’t prevent Linda and Catherine from forming a
unique bond; after all, Linda had raised the puppy who is now
a fully trained Dog Guide, and Catherine’s link to the world of
sound. Thanks to social media, Linda was able to share Yoshi’s
early life with Catherine; and Catherine, in turn, could send
updates on the progress she was making with Yoshi.
“The outstanding pride and joy I feel, having been a part of
this fabulous team coming together fills my heart,” says Linda.
“Seeing Catherine with Yoshi … is what keeps me going, and
reminds me that this truly is the most incredible volunteer
work I could ever do!”
For Catherine, the feeling is mutual. “I have learned just
how much love, devotion, commitment and caring these
foster families and all those involved [in a future Dog Guide’s
upbringing and training] have contributed,” she says. “This has
truly touched me, and through Yoshi, my life has been made
easier.”
Canine Courier • 15
Ask Dr. Dawg
The Dr. Dawg column is written by
Lions Foundation of Canada
Dog Guides’ resident veterinarian,
Dr. Michelle van Lienden.
Is my dog fit... or fat?
Obesity is an escalating global problem in humans.
Although some medical conditions such as hypothyroidism
and Cushing’s disease can cause obesity, the vast majority of
dogs are overweight because they simply get fed too much.
All the extra calories that are not needed by the body are
stored as fat.
Unfortunately, society has ingrained the fact that fat dogs are
normal. There are even overweight dogs used in television
commercials. Society has been trained to see a heavy dog
as healthy. But overweight dogs are anything but healthy.
Obesity can predispose a dog to many health problems such
as heart disease, arthritis, diabetes and cancer.
When you want to determine if your dog’s weight is within
the normal range, it is important to consider the dog’s body
structure. The emphasis should be placed on the body
conditions score, rather than a certain number on the scales.
An ideal body condition score will be the following: the
individual ribs can be felt easily with one finger while sliding
down the dog’s body. The ribs should be covered by a thin
layer of fat. If you can see the ribs, the dog is too skinny, but
if you have difficulty feeling the ribs, your dog is overweight.
The other indicator is a dog’s waistline, or lack thereof. The
waist should be thinner than the chest and the dog should
have an hourglass shape when you look down from above.
The easiest way to help your pet lose weight is to initially
reduce food intake by about 10 to 20 per cent. If your dog is
receiving a lot of treats or table scraps, you should stop this.
Try setting aside some of your dog’s regular food and use
this as treats instead. For most overweight dogs, it is safe
to lose about 1 to 2 per cent of their body weight per week.
Another option is to use a special weight-loss diet food.
The weight loss diets contain less calories so you can feed a
slightly larger amount of food when compared to the regular
diet.
Of course, it is very important to increase the exercise level
as well and take your dog for extra walks to increase his
metabolism and build muscle. Being lean can add years to a
dog’s life, but being obese can cause lots of health problems
and joint pain. Our dogs can’t join a gym or eat better on
their own. It is our responsibility to make healthy choices on
their behalf.
Canine Courier • 16
For Dog Guides in training
• Crates$2,000
• Haltis
$1,900
• Harnesses for AAD
$1,500
• Harnesses for DAD
$600
• Martingales, medium and large
$500
• Wet dry vacuum for kennel
$150
•Treat pouches
$100
• Set of clippers and blades
$100
• Grooming blades (each blade)
$50
• Stainless steel dog bowls, large
$15
• Bleach
• Dishwasher machine detergent
• Dish soap
• Liquid laundry detergent
• Dog shampoo - aloe & oatmeal
• Mops and squeegees
• Dog toys:
ƒƒ Kongs – mainly large and xlarge
ƒƒ Kong Goodie Bones (Xtreme)
ƒƒ Kong Xtreme Balls
ƒƒ Kong Wubba
• Dog treats:
ƒƒ Nylabones – Super Chew
ƒƒ Nylabones – Durable Chew
ƒƒ Antlers
For clients in training
• Flights from any location in Canada
$700ea
• Furnishings for new client rooms
$10,000
(cost per room with name on a
permanent plaque on door)
• Commercial washer for client bedding
$7,500
• Two new electric hospital beds
for Service Dog rooms
$6,000
• Gift cards to grocery stores for meals for clients
• Gift cards to gas stations
• Canadian Tire Money
• Rewards points
Nursery
News
November 2016 - February 2016
Pippi and Roblin
welcomed 8 standard poodle puppies
on Nov. 5th
Mettie and Ripken
welcomed 4 Labrador retriever puppies
on Dec. 8th
Nayla and Poncho
had 9 Labrador retriever puppies
on Dec. 9th
Sarabi and Ripken
welcomed 6 Labrador retriever puppies
on Dec. 13th
Wavey and Petro
had 8 standard poodle pups
on Jan. 3rd (New Year’s Puppies!)
Iris and Indie
welcomed 10 Labrador-golden-retriever cross puppies
on Jan. 15th
Waffle and Prince
had 10 Labrador retriever pups
on Jan. 16th
Diva and Holden
welcomed 9 Labrador retriever puppies
on Jan. 21st
Haiku and Ripken
welcomed 7 Labrador retriever puppies
on Feb. 4th
For the office
Printing of one set of brochures
Photocopy paper, 8½” x 11”
Gift cards to office supply stores
$1,000
Washer and dryer (new) for both kennels
Paw safe ice melter for both locations
$1,500
For the buildings
Sweet dreams: six-week old poodles
sleep soundly last December
Canine Courier • 17
Fall &
Winter 2015
Congratulations
Graduates
AAD Graduates
Location
Sponsors
Aiden & Sniffles
Alexandre & Carter
Anthony & Coral
Cyrus & Iroko
Dane & Scaler
Hayden & Uxley
Jack & Garson
Jack & Jenson
Jade & Geo
Jakob & Birch
Karli & Zimba
Keagan & Emmett
Liam & Arran
Maitlyn & Yeager
Marco & Kleo
Mason & Bernie
Matthew & Kermit
Max & Garmin
Navin & T.O.
Noah & Dixie
Olivia & Jovi
Sofia & Goldie
Sophia & Calla
Sylas & Ibsen
Terry & Badge
Port Alberni, BC
Nathan Severin, FL
St.Alberts AB
Winnipeg, MB
Riverview, NB
Kamloops BC
Fort St. John BC
Hamilton, ON
Kitchener, ON
Kitchener & Galt Cambridge Lions Club
Calgary, AB
Kamloops, BC
Cornwall ON
New Glasgow, NS Kitchener, ON
Milton ON
Calgary, AB
Abbotsford, BC
Douglas, NB
Caledonia, ON
Milton ON
MDA Lions
Calgary AB
Courtenay, BC
London, ON
Langley, BC
Oshawa, ON
Markham, ON
Canine Courier • 18
Fall &
Winter 2015
Congratulations
Graduates
CVC Graduates
Location
Sponsors
Blythe & Nixie
Caledon, ON
Cathy & Reena
Charlottetown, PE
Colin & Roger
Hamilton, ON
David & Doyle
Lethbridge, AB
Donald & Griff
Owen Sound, ON
Frank & Larkin
Charlottetown, PE
Gail & Merry
Vernon, BC
Gary & Quester
Brandon, MB
Jean & Urban
Kitchener, ON
Jennifer & Potter
Stratford, PE
Laura & Anouk
Cobourg, ON
Shannon & Neva
Victoria, BC
Steve & Norway
Brighton, ON
Wayne & Crumpet
St. Stephen, NB
William & Couper
Lethbridge, AB
New Hamburg Lions Club, ON
North Rustico Lions Club, PEI; Louise Spicer, ON
Long Point Lions (ON) / Josiane Decloet-Baelen (ON)
Lethbridge Kennel (AB) / Leduc Lions Club (AB)
Valerie Jean Griffiths, ON
DAD Graduates
Location
Sponsors
Bob & Cleo
Céline & Daisy
Hailey & Quatchi
Mary & Yolanda
Megan & Juno
Michael & Nico
Patrick & Charm
Rebeca & Hana
Sally & York
Surrey, BC
Saint-Philippe, QC
Humbolt, SK
Etobicoke, ON
Campbell River, BC
Burnaby, BC
Toronto, ON
Windsor, ON
Lestock, SK
Pet Valu
Parkdale-Sherwood Lions Club
Richmound Lions (SK)
Stamford Lioness (ON)
Humphrey Law (ON)
Pet Valu
Karen Feikema (ON)
Pet Valu
MDA Lions
Deb Cserhalmi ON, Pet Valu ON;
Theresa Perrier (MB) / Pet Valu (four locations) (MB)
Kitchener Lions Club (ON) / Bernace Davies (ON)
Pet Valu, ON, Kingston Lions Club, NS
Tom Moreau and Diane Brockman, ON;
Mayne Island Lions Club, BC
Jim and Nancy Moore, ON
Riverview Lioness Club (NB) / Susan & John McCracken (NB)
Lethbridge Kennel (AB) / Marilyn Couperthwaite (ON)
Special thanks to Pet Valu and Bosley’s for supporting a record 9 graduates during the fall and winter.
Canine Courier • 19
Fall &
Winter 2015
Congratulations
Graduates
HED Graduates
Location
Sponsors
Cari & Yona
Carolyn & Flame
Cassie & Ursa
Catherine & Yoshi
Cindy & Jem
Elmer & Gordie
Genevieve & Paddy
Jennifer & Kesha
Jerry & Ultra
Karen & Irie
Ken & Yuki
Owen & Ortiz
Rick & Yasmine
Armstrong, BC
Oakville, ON
Niagara Falls, ON
Victoria, BC
Ile Des Chenes, MB
Victoria, BC
Acton, ON
Rossendale, MB
Winnipeg, MB
Seaforth, ON
Sannichton, BC
Davidson, SK
St. Catharines, ON
Nanoose Bay Lions (BC)
Pet Valu
Bernace Davies (ON)
Kelowna Okanagan Mission Lions (BC)
Melita & Area Lions (MB)
Vancouver Champlain Heights (BC) / Goulds Leo Club (BC)
Courtice Lions Club (ON)
East St. Paul Lions (MB) / Pet Valu
Leduc Lions Club (AB) / Pet Valu (four locations MB),
Seafourth Lions (ON), Diane Parker (ON)
Salt Spring Island Lons (BC)
Dodsland Lions (SK) & Regina Central Lions (SK)
Blackcreek Stevensville Lions (ON) & Pet Valu
SD Graduates
Location
Sponsors
Alastair & Ghillie
Carol Ann & Shamus
Chloée & Denise
Christine & Hara
Sean & Ufton
Tina & Yumi
Erin, ON
Kitchener, ON
London, ON
Hyde Park Lions Club (ON)
Hamilton, ON
Rockton Lions Club (ON)
Mississauga, ON
Fenwick Lions Club (ON)
Newmarket, ON
SRD Graduates
Location
Sponsors
Andrew & Neptune
Courtney & Upton
Debbie & Nation
Debbie & Kamila
K.P. & Ursula
Olivia & Chimo
Tessa & Merlot
Strathroy, ON
Toronto, ON
Edmonton, AB
Guelph, ON
Beeton, ON
Wroxeter, ON
Victoria, BC
Wayne and Isabel Fox, ON
Pet Valu
Pet Valu
Ann Graham, ON
Cedar Lions Club, BC
Canine Courier • 20
cobalt blue
ceramic mug
Gift Shop
See what else we have in store
www.dogguides.com/giftshop
Full Zip Fleece
$7
Black Toque
Red, Navy, Black
$28
Sizes
S - XXL
Plush 6.5 inch Webkinz
$4
White Poodle
$13
Plush 8.5 inch Webkinz
$6
Golden Retriever
Taxes Included
Canine Courier • 21
February 2016
A LIFE SPENT HELPING OTHERS,
A LEGACY THAT DOES THE SAME
In 2011, Mrs. Bernace Davies, from Port Colborne, Ont.
visited Lions Foundation for a tour and demonstration.
She reported back that she was “so captivated with the
level of service and professionalism your organization
provides to your clients.” As a retired registered nurse,
helping others was second nature to her. Determined
that she would like to become involved in the Lions
Foundation’s mission and support it in reaching its goals,
she became a passionate financial supporter.
Mrs. Davies chose to do this in an important and lasting
way. She made an initial gift of $10,000 for the Canine
Vision and Hearing Ear programs. She then established
a private charitable foundation at Mackenzie Charitable
Giving Fund through which she has been making
donations each year since 2012 to sponsor a Canine
Vision and Hearing Ear team.
Mrs. Davies’ support continues to change lives
Now age 97, Mrs. Davies has had some recent health
setbacks, but her niece Nancy wrote recently to say how
much joy her aunt received from hearing updates about
the Dog Guide teams her support made possible. Mrs.
Davies’ legacy gift will most certainly leave the world
a better place; the impact of her gift will mean more
Canadians can receive the life-changing assistance a
Dog Guide brings, and the spirit of her support will live
on in the independence, safety and increased mobility
the recipients of Dog Guides are able to experience for
many years as a result.
If you plan to leave a gift for Lions Foundation of Canada, the legal name for your will is
“Lions Foundation of Canada” or “Dog Guides Canada”
The address is 152 Wilson Street, Oakville, Ontario L6K 0G6
www.dogguides.com
1 (800) 768-3030 / (905) 842-2891
Planned Giving
With a growing population and an increasing number of people
with disabilities, the need for Dog Guides continues to rise.
As a non-government funded charity, Lions Foundation of
Canada relies entirely on the generosity of many. Without you,
we wouldn’t be able to meet the need. You have the power to
improve the lives of hundreds of Canadians with a medical or
physical disability by supporting the training of a Dog Guide.
Planned giving allows you to make a charitable donation to
the Lions Foundation, while meeting your current personal
and financial commitments. Planned giving provides you more
options to leave your legacy for future generations.
Benefits to planned giving include:
•Making a significant contribution, often
larger than thought possible
•Enjoying the satisfaction of helping
Lions Foundation of Canada continue its
work in years to come.
•Reducing or avoiding capital gains taxes
•Saving on estate taxes
•Providing inheritance at a reduced tax cost
In the coming months, we will walk you through the various
ways you can leave a legacy gift. This four-part series will
outline the most common and cost-effective ways to leave your
legacy.
For more information about leaving a legacy gift, please contact
Anastasia at 905.842.2891 Ext. 238 or [email protected]
Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) and Registered
Retired Income Funds (RRIFs) are a tax-smart way to transform
assets into support for the Lions Foundation. RRSPs and RRIFs
are among the most heavily taxed assets we own. However,
when a charity is designated as a beneficiary, the taxes are offset
by a charitable tax receipt for the full amount transferred.
The gift is easy to make, and avoids complicated legal documents.
Simply notify the selected institution holding your retirement
accounts and change the beneficiary information on the plan
document.
By planning today, you will have an immense impact on the
lives of Canadians with a medical or physical disability by
helping them foster independence, strengthen connections to the
people and places around them, and providing safety through
the security of a specially trained Dog Guide.
Please contact: Anastasia Jorge,
Fundraising Coordinator
Phone: (905) 842-2891 Ext. 238
or email [email protected]
Other benefits of gifts by RRSPs/RRIFs include:
•A charitable tax receipt
•No legal documents or complicated
arrangements necessary
•Offset estate taxes
Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides
152 Wilson Street
Oakville, Ontario L6K 0G6
Charitible Tax # 13024 5129 RR0001
Phone: (905) 842-2891
1 (800) 768-3030
TTY: (905) 842-1585
Fax: (905) 582-1204
The Legacy Leader highlights contributions to Lions Foundation of Canada’s Dog Guide Legacy Program. It also features the
many ways to give to this program through your will or by creating your own Dog Guide Legacy. We welcome your questions.