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continued from p.6 The Toronto resident admitted the last six months have been quite a journey for the both of them. The biggest milestone they achieved together came just two months ago when they took the UP Express -- a rail link from Toronto Pearson International Airport to Union Station. Woo admitted she was nervous was about the trip and was unsure how Xena would react to, or how she would behave in, the new environment. Still, she assured herself, if things went south, she could just take Xena home. In the end, Woo said she was pleased she took that leap. It was a successful trip after all. Rachel Gallant, who has fostered three puppies over the last four years, said she's taken her current foster, Yeti, an eight-month, Labrador Retriever, everywhere and anywhere. He has been to hockey games, Blue Jays games, the movies and more, said the Waterdown resident. "It's a year out of our lives, but if you love dogs, it's not that much," said Gallant, who has been working Foster families prepare Dog Guides for training months' time, she'll have to give Xena back, something she's mentally preparing herself to do. She said it's rewarding for her to know Xena is on the path to helping a person with a medical or physical challenge have a better life. To date, more than 2,300 Dog Guides have been matched with people across Canada. The Lions Foundation of Canada founding program, Canine Vision Canada, was established in 1985 to assist Canadians with visual impairment and since then, it has added Dog Guide programs including hearing ear, service, seizure response, autism assistance, and diabetic alert. It costs approximately $25,000 to raise, train and place a service dog. Fundraisers like the Purina Walk for Dog Guides are essential to helping keep the Dog Guides programs alive. Jagt, who has been a trainer at the centre for more than two years, said the walk is also a great change to meet foster families, service dogs and Guide Dogs in training. She said sometimes people aren't sure how to greet a service dog. The proper way is to simply ignore them, Jagt noted. "If you'd like to approach, ask the handler first," she said, noting how often times, dogs are working on specific skills for their future careers. "For example, Linus is in his last couple of weeks of (puppy) training, so we're not doing public greetings anymore," said Jagt, gesturing to the flat-coated retriever by her side. "Once he's working in his harness, he won't be greeted at all. I'd like for him to get the feeling of that now before he goes into his formal training." Jagt continued with the puppies in training, it's best to wait for direction from the foster family if you would like to meet the puppy. "One of the big things we want the dogs to have is proper manners," she added, noting jumping up on people, like puppies tend to do when they first meet people, is discouraged. "We want to wait until they are behaving properly and then they can be greeted with permission from the foster family," she said. For more information about Dog Guides, visit www.dogguides.com. For more on the upcoming walk, one of 200 across Canada, visit www. purinawalkfordogguides.com. 7 | Thursday, May 12, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Moris, a future Dog Guide | photo by Samantha Moya - special to the Beaver in the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides vet clinic and kennel over the past two years. "And I love all the puppies. It's so amazing to watch them grow into these amazing dogs." She added the main role of a foster family is to teach the dogs basic commands and obedience while socializing the dog to a variety of different environments. When it comes time to "give them up," Gallant said, the puppies are ready to leave. "By the time they're a year old, they're ready to go into formal training," she said. "You just know they're ready to do better things than what we can offer them." Woo echoed that sentiment, joking Xena is her "little rental." In a few ANNUAL POOL ACCESSORY SALE- HELD OVER TIL MAY 17TH HUgE SAVINgS ON ALL YOUR POOL NEEDS! 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