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Our Organization

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Who We Are

About Us

Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind (CGDB) is a national,  charitable organization founded in 1984. The organization does not receive any ongoing government funding and relies heavily on public support and funding to provide Canadians with greater mobility and independence through the use of professionally trained guide dogs (nationally) and mobility assistance dogs (Ottawa area).

At Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind, we are dedicated to fostering a workplace that values diversity, promotes equity, and embraces inclusion. We believe that a diverse and inclusive environment is essential for innovation, collaboration, and overall success. We are committed to treating all individuals with respect and dignity, ensuring equal opportunities for growth and advancement. By actively promoting diversity in all its forms, we strive to create a workplace culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives. Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is integral to our mission, and we continuously strive to cultivate an environment that reflects these principles.

Who We Are

About Us

Canadian Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind (CGDB) is a national, non-profit, charitable organization founded in 1984. The organization does not receive any ongoing government funding and relies heavily on public support and funding to provide Canadians with greater mobility and independence through the use of professionally trained guide dogs (nationally) and mobility assistance dogs (Ottawa area).

At Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind, we are dedicated to fostering a workplace that values diversity, promotes equity, and embraces inclusion. We believe that a diverse and inclusive environment is essential for innovation, collaboration, and overall success. We are committed to treating all individuals with respect and dignity, ensuring equal opportunities for growth and advancement. By actively promoting diversity in all its forms, we strive to create a workplace culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives. Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is integral to our mission, and we continuously strive to cultivate an environment that reflects these principles.

Watch our promotional video to witness the transformation of a puppy into a working guide dog.

Our Affiliations

Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind has the following affiliations:

Our Affiliations

Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind has the following affiliations:

An image of the International Guide Dog Federation logo

Founding and accredited member of International Guide Dog Federation.

An image of Assistance Dogs International logo

Accredited member of Assistance Dogs International.

An image of Canadian Association of Guide & Assistance Dog Schools

Member of Canadian Association of Guide and Assistance Dog Schools.

CUSDGS-logo

Member of Council of U.S. Dog Guide Schools

An image of the International Guide Dog Federation logo

Founding and accredited member of International Guide Dog Federation.

An image of Assistance Dogs International logo

Accredited member of Assistance Dogs International.

An image of Canadian Association of Guide & Assistance Dog Schools

Member of Canadian Association of Guide and Assistance Dog Schools.

cusdgs-logo

Member of Council of U.S. Dog Guide Schools

History

Follow Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind Through Time from 1984 to Present Day

In 1984, Jane Thornton and William Thornton founded Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind.

History

Follow Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind Through Time from 1984 to Present Day

In 1984, Jane Thornton and William Thornton founded Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Year Milestones
1984
  1. Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind established in January.
  2. First guide dog team graduated in July.
1985
  1. Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind received provincial accreditation within the Blind Persons’ Rights Act of Ontario.
1986
  1. First litter of puppies born into Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind Breeding Program.
1987
  1. 100th puppy placed in Puppy Walking/Raising Program.
1988
  1. National Training Centre opened in Manotick (Ottawa), Ontario.
1989
  1. Established as a charter member of the International Federation of
    Guide Dog Schools for the Blind, later to become the International Guide Dog Federation.
  2. First Canadian obtained certification as a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor within an internationally recognized training program.
1990
  1. 100th guide dog team graduated in June.
1991
  1. Second Canadian obtained certification as a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor within an internationally recognized training program.
  2. Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind manufactured our first “guider” and launched our Donation Dog Fundraising Program.
1992
  1. First accreditation received from International Federation of Guide Dog Schools for the Blind.
1993
  1. 200th guide dog team graduated.
  2. Third and fourth Canadians obtained certification as a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor within an internationally recognized training program.
1994
  1. 200th guide dog team graduated.
  2. Third and fourth Canadians obtained certification as a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor within an internationally recognized training program.
1995
  1. Fifth and sixth Canadians obtained certification as Guide Dog Mobility Instructors within an internationally recognized training program.
1996
  1. 300th guide dog team graduated.
1997
  1. Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind passed accreditation by International Guide Dog Federation.
1999
  1. Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind developed the Guide Dog Founders’ Brick Path & Garden on the property of our National Training Centre.
  2. 400th guide dog team graduated in August.
2001
  1. 1000th puppy placed in Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind’s Puppy Walking Program.
  2. Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind opened a kennel extension.
2002
  1. Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind passed accreditation by International Guide Dog Federation.
2003
  1. 500th guide dog team graduated.
2004
  1. Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind celebrated 20th Anniversary.
2006
  1. Jane Thornton, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, elected as Director with the International Guide Dog Federation for a four-year term.
2007
  1. 600th guide dog team graduated.
  2. Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind passed accreditation by International Guide Dog Federation.
2008
  1. New observation section and whelping area opened in kennels building.
2009
  1. Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind celebrated 25th Anniversary.
2010
  1. Jane Thornton re-elected as Director, before being elected as Chair of the International Guide Dog Federation.
  2. Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind launched Assistance Dogs Division and was granted membership into Assistance Dogs International.
  3. Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind passed initial accreditation by Assistance Dogs International.
  4. Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind hosted the International Guide Dog Federation Seminar in Ottawa, hosting 265 delegates from 24 countries.
2012
  1. First guide dog from Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind graduated in a Canadian territory; Nunavut.
  2. Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind passed accreditation by International Guide Dog Federation.
2014
  1. Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind celebrated 30th Anniversary.
2015
  1. Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind passed accreditation by Assistance Dogs International.
2016
  1. Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind passed accreditation by International Guide Dog Federation.
2017
  1. Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind opened our Canine Development Centre.
2018
  1. 850th guide dog team graduated.
2019
  1. Groundbreaking of new state-of-the-art and fully-accessible client residence and kennel buildings on the property of our National Training Centre.
  2. Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind passed accreditation by Assistance Dogs International.
2020
  1. Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind became a member of Council of U.S. Dog Guide Schools (CUSDGS).
2024
  1. Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind celebrated 40th Anniversary.

Contact Us

Office Hours

Monday – Friday: 8:30am - 5:00pm

Weekends: Closed

Holidays: Closed

Our Affiliations

International Guide Dog Federation
Assistance Dogs International
Canadian Association of Guide and Assistance Dog Schools
Council of North American Guide Dog Schools

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