|
|
 |
| |
Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind reaches milestone of 600th guide dog
"Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind marked a very important and significant milestone in June 2007. Lorna Hilborn of Peterborough, Ontario and her guide dog “Opus” formed the six-hundredth graduating guide dog team from Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Back in 1984, Jane Thornton came to Canada from England with the enthusiastic dream of starting a much needed guide dog school, and was Co-Founder of Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind. The organization began in a rented a house in the Ottawa area, with the garage converted into a kennel. In 1984, “Sacha” was the first guide dog to graduate with his handler officially launching Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind has progressed to a National Training Centre which opened in 1988 in Manotick, Ontario, a small community in the south end of Ottawa, Canada’s capital city. This facility enables potential guide dog users from across Canada to train with and receive a guide dog, enhancing mobility and independence. Jane Thornton remains as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer.
On June 19, 2007, we celebrated Lorna and Opus as the sixth-hundredth graduating guide dog team, but really we gathered to celebrate the culmination of all of our graduates, which have come from every province in Canada. We also paid tribute to Bruce MacDonald and Patricia Neatby, also part of our milestone graduating class in June.
Each of them were extremely grateful for the opportunity to receive a guide dog from Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind, and we are grateful that they, and all of our other clients, past and present, have entrusted us to provide such a valuable service.
Many of our clients over the years have expressed their appreciation by saying they are indebted to us, but we are also indebted to them. It’s our clients, along with our volunteers and staff, and, of course, our donors over the years that have contributed to this milestone and to a very bright future.
One of our clients recently told us that the most important thing that he wants the public to know about guide dogs is just how much independence the dogs give to their handlers. His statement was, “There are a great many visually impaired and blind people who would not have the courage or confidence to venture through a sighted world if they didn’t have a guide dog. Having a guide dog grants us the comfort and security of knowing that we are indeed still members of the community. We may have to travel differently, but we can still travel. Our dogs are our eyes”.
Congratulations to Lorna and Opus our six-hundredth graduating team, as well as to Bruce and Patricia, and all of our clients, volunteers, donors and staff, all of whom have played a role leading up to this milestone."
|
Back to News Articles
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
|
|
