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SECTION A THE HERALD Wednesday January 13 IMS Pages Mans best friend trained as guiding light for blind NOTE Member of the Georgetown imla club travelled to Dec to view the of the Canine V ion School Tbe IJont have pedal Interest In he dog training boot for the blind because they re enthusiastic sponsor of the program The following la a report about the school by Herald reporter Cheryl Where once the squeals of children laughter echoed down the halls now the deepthroated barks of doga fill the air Wilson Ave The red bricked building In once a public now houses Canine V a school to train guide dogs and their masters Sponsored by the Lions tlon of Canada Canine Vision Canada opened Its doors for scr vice Nov It was rsl project of the foundation formed in 1983 by Lions clubs all across Canada puppy Most or the puppies ore donated by breeders across Canada said Communication and Promotions Off Jennifer King As well the school has a breeding program in its Infant stages between being passive enough to obey Its master and aggressive enough to take Its own initiative when faced with odd things such as escalators or potential accident situations Ms King said As well the physical condition of the dog is checked These breeds arc prone to problems such as hip displacement where the hip joint of the dog docs not fit properly At this stage approximately SO per cent of the dogs pass assess ment and carry on while the other German shepherds golden retrievers and yellow chocolate and black labradors make for the best de dogs They have a good shoulder height of lo Inches are intelligent breeds overall and make good working dogs Ms said As well their short hair re quires limited grooming and care Puppies camo Into the school at eight to 10 weeks of age and are placed a Foster Puppy Pro gram A family takes the puppy In to is home until it reaches 12 14 months The family leaches the puppy good house manners such as not to chew the leg of a chair Ms King said although some go as for as Ira the dogs to sit and lie down It helps them the puppy learn how live in a home en Ms King said Dogs raised in kennels would not know what a is and are not as personal The Canine V Canada pro vides food Tor the puppy as well as pays veterinary bills such as its shots and Once the puppy reaches moturi ty which can range from 12 to months depending on the dog it comes back lo the school for assessment Each trainer takes dog and forms an opinion as to its temperament and stab 1 ty The dog needs to hit a balance CHECKERED WALK Wade Beat- one of the guide dog trainers at messed and taken for walks a Canine Vision Canada complete minimum of n hour day hit rounds with Checkers a Rhode- TREATMENT Dudley ThompMn the dofli are bathed and a golden retriever lays back and en brushed In a special room the Joys a grooming by apprentice Ken school set aside or thu purpose SO per cent who fall are found good homes Ms King said A dog may be rejected from the program at anytime The school employs Ihree fully qualified trainers and three ap prenticing trainers who put the dogs through their paces and keep them groomed Dogs arc on a one dog lo one basis five days a week for minimum of an hour a day Depending on how quickly animal learns this period may last from three lo five months Ms King said Right now the school boards 23 dogs but has the capacity to keep Besides basic obedience com mands such as sit down and stay the dogs arc taught forward right and left Ms King said When trot ling down the sidewalk a guide dog is trained to centre itself and walk In straight line II Is also taught to walk from curb to curb and then lostop Dogs are also taught to find th basic command they can root out anything from door handles and stairs to bedroom slip pers Dogs learn to respond to One thing dogs cannot do Is read traffic lights The blind person Is responsible for where they are Ms King said Al an Intersection the person listens to traffic noise to determine when It is safe pre vent an accident After three monlh training the dogs arc matched students ralhcr than the other way around We train the dog and figure out who Is going to be best for that dog Ms King said For example a younger man would suit a livelier dog while a quieter dog would be best for an older person Approximately students averaging between to years of age from all across Canada save for British Columbia Prince Ed ward Island and New Brunswick have graduated from Ihe school Once he students and dags are matched they never leave each other Ms King said The dogs sleep with their companions and sit with them In the room They arc together hours a day An intensive 28day training period for both the student and dog follows When the students first come they take a series of lectures dealing on the ihe dog Dog and companion do a lot of walking starting off in the lial area surrounding the school gradually moving Into Oakville and finishing off Ihelr training spending a few Womens shelter staff creates holiday spirit By JULIE HOLMES Herald Special Hal ton Women Place isn I the most intimate place to spend Christmas if you are a mother with young children The shelter for abused women was home to a number of faihllies over Ihe Christroas period but the hostel was not as filled as in other time Staff and volunteers d d the during the holidays to v el me those In need at the shelter Gifts of food and toys were offered lo mothers and their children Even an old fashioned Christmas dinner was enjoyed by Ihe residents Halton Women s Place Is an emergency hostel for abused women and their children which serves the area It Is open hours a day seven days a week and has a hotline for women who need assistance Halton Women s Place opened in October of 1980 and has helped 1106 families Last year the hostel sheltered 12S women and ISO children Joan Tumbull the Dlrcc tor of s Women Place said that the hostel quite as busy Ihis Christmas as the one before which that unusual because most women hang on during Christmas for theklds sokes Families arc allowed lo stay at the shelter for six weeks where they can things through and get counselling she explained The hostel also assists families they have left the shelter We try to f ways for gelling them set up and help them start heir lives over Ex residents on social assistance received hampers of food and toys for the holidays to make things a lit tie easier Our donations have never been belter said the director It s great A total of cartons of food were d slnbuled and each family received about four Volunteers and other staff members the hostel also provided each fam ly member a bag full or clothes toys and other necessities The staff and volunteers at Women Place also wrap ped for each resident and her children We really appreciated the donations people sent in a lot of non- perishable foods which helped us with our budget and with funds Ms explained The shelter planned an old fashioned Christmas with the and children relaxing and enjoying a special Christmas dinner Joan filled the position of rector in November of 1985 ve been here for six years now she said I to it INCOME TAX JoblnttnltwtaoTichnknjti I FREE CONSULTATIONS I 10 OFF SERVICES WITH THIS AD 10 DAYS ONLY 20 ALL STOCK oOFF SALE STARTS TODAY ENDS JAN 23rd BOOKS STATIONERY PRICE CORPS MARIES CAIENDABS OXBOW BOOKS 102 Main St Downtown Georgetown MM Taws MO Fit Sat UP After graduation the school follows up on the team to make sure everything is okay Ms King said The cost of required to graduate a dogstudent learn is funded by service clubs such at the Lions Club corporations and In dividuals Many sponsors such as Ralston Purina one of tbe a biggest contributors will name a dog after their business and provide a foster family for the puppy For example the dog food company names all J Kings As well the school provides Ineui with a trained guide dog and necessary equipment Once graduated though the student pi up the dog expenses era Covers now available to beaut your truck Does away with tailgate drag for increased fuel economy and ncreased speed fastening No holes drilled DeeZee RUNNING BOARDS WHITE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL White Christmas by Trisha Romance Reg3250fr now 124 Main St South DOWNTOWN GEORGETOWN 8777654 OUR FINAL JANUARY MARK DOWNS START THURSDAY JANUARY FINAL REDUCTIONS UP TO 75 OFF Sales Final smith 133WyndhamSt Guelph v