“Urgent Appeal: The Future of Dog Guides is at Stake

YOUR HELP IS DESPERATELY NEEDED!

My name is Angela, and the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides has been part of my life since I got a Service Dog Guide in 2001.  At the age of 13, I was unaware of the impact a Dog Guide would make on my life.  I just thought it would be amazing not to have to ask kids in my class to pick up my pencil when it fell on the floor.

Boy was I wrong...

My first Dog Guide was Yogi, a beautiful Chocolate Lab.  With him by my side I was the "kid with the dog" in school and kids would come up to me and talk, rather than stare.  "I like your dog" they'd say.  Four little words.  Who knew they could be so powerful.

In 2010, I was matched with a Black Lab named Digby.  I still remember the day he came bounding into my room at the Oakville Training facility and nearly knocked me over with kisses and affection.  That day, that moment, sparks flew.  Magic happened and there was something between us that to this day I can't explain.  It was a bond, yes, but there was also so much unspoken love between us that often he just knew what I needed before I did.

Most recently, in December of 2019, I was matched with a Black Lab named Ella.  She is clever, mischievous, and an over achiever when it comes to helping me and anticipating what I might need next.  She is extremely attentive and is always "monitoring" me, often picking up on things like anxiety and sickness before I even know there's a problem.  She is my "forever puppy" and is a constant source of comic relief. 

Each of my Dog Guides represents a different time in my life and each have brought something unique, something purely and distinctly "them" to my life.

I have had a Dog Guide faithfully beside me for longer than I have not.  If asked what my life was like before, honestly, I have very little memory of "Life before Dog Guides".  But what I do remember is that life was a daily struggle— just to do the simplest of tasks like picking up a pencil.  Something so small and insignificant for most people.  I was afraid to ask people to help me because I didn't want to be a bother, a burden.  I didn't want to "stick out" more than I felt I already did.  Having a Dog Guide was key to changing that.  They enabled me to feel more "able" instead of "dis"abled.  I got to be just the "kid with the dog" instead of "the kid in the wheelchair".

I will be forever grateful to the Lions Foundation of Canada.  I am moved to tears most times (not an exaggeration) thinking about the scale in which they have transformed my life for the better.  These are "my people", and the thought of Dog Guides not being able to continue their truly life-changing work fills me with anxiety, fear, and sadness.

The school is facing financial hardship and risks closure.  They urgently need to secure funds to continue to operate.  They have helped me, along with countless other Canadians since 1983 — now it’s time for us to help them!  PLEASE help to keep Dog Guides up and running by donating now.  Yogi, Digby, Ella, and I would be so very grateful for your support ❤️