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THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, May 3, 2000 Open house Saturday Dog guides school reveals the tricks of the trade By Mary Collette SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER T c r fj^ jh e R e a s o n Bookers Bookstore, 172 Lakeshore Rd Oakville · 844-5501 · bookers@sympatico.ca MAY m <m il : k s w d o r w d n k > n ir.u s 1. 2. INTO MY MOTHER'S ARMS SHARON JENNINGS DAUGHTERS AND MOTHERS A CELEBRATION LAUREN COWEN 3. LIFE LESSONS MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME ANDREA YOUNG 4. 5. MOTHERS TO DAUGHTERS ANN CARON WHAT OUR MOTHERS D ID N T TELL US DANIELLE CRITTENDEN 6. THE MOTHER-TO-BE'S DREAM BOOK RAINA PARIS 7. 8. KIDS AND GRANDPARENTS ANN LOVE CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE MOTHER'S SOUL JACK CANFIELD 9. THE BOOK OF MOTHER'S WISDOM LAUREL HOFFMAN he joint is jumping; the atmos phere is frenzied; fur is flying; and the din is deafening. No, this isn't the latest Leaf game at Toronto's Air Canada Centre -- it's the kennel section of the Lions Foundation of Canada building in Oakville. Dog Guides of Canada is extending a warm and fuzzy welcome to all those who would like to join them at their upcoming Open House on Saturday, May 6th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Lions Foundation national headquarters located at 152 Wilson St. (Kerr and Rebecca). "We're opening the doors so people can see first-hand what happens at a training facility", explains Sally Tumey, Marketing and Communications Manager for Dog Guides of Canada. On this day, the public will be offered free-flowing tours of the facility (kennels excluded due to the high noise and excitement level) with dog guide demon strations beginning at 10 a.m. followed by one every 30 minutes until 1:30 p.m. There will be demonstrations from the three dog guide programs: Canine Vision Canada, Hearing Ear Dogs of Canada and Special Skills Dogs of Canada. Visitors will also be able to learn more about the Foster Puppy Program. Professional dog trainers will be on hand to provide dog owners with helpful tips on how to best train their own con trary canines. Tim Hortons is supplying the snacks, and the gift shop, featuring a wide variety of clothing, backpacks, IT* ' f * * $ * (» ml. , . . ........... Photo by Peter C. McCusker C a n in e V ision C a n a d a tra in er G ra n t R o ss w ith " G ab e" . brief cases and hats will be open for busi ness. There will also be a silent auction with an extensive array of items to bid on. "You should see the stuff we have", says Tumey about the donated items from local businesses and individuals. Since 1983, the lives of approximate ly 700 people from the age of 8 to 84, have been enriched by the services of specially trained dog guides from the Lions Foundation of Canada. "Many people don't realize that this facility serves the entire country. There is another training centre situated in Breslau, just outside of Guelph, but the Oakville location houses the national headquarters", says Tumey. Lions Foundation of Canada obtains dogs as puppies for its dog guide pro grams from their own breeding program, generous private breeders, and donors. Air Canada flies in donated puppies from across the country free of charge. The pups are mostly Labrador retriev ers, Golden retrievers and Standard poo dles, although Hearing Ear dogs are usu ally selected from smaller mixed breeds. Standard poodles are the popular choice for people with allergies, as their coat closely resembles human hair and they have no dander. At eight weeks of age the puppies are available for temporary adoption by fos ter families, where they will remain for about a year. Ralston Purina Canada Inc. donates the food, and routine veterinary expenses are covered by the foundation. Every two months the dogs are brought back for a customary examination, and to allow their interim owners to air any questions or concerns. Tumey fondly describes these fami lies as "the ones who put up with acci dents on the carpet." But they receive a great deal in return, confirmed by their willingness to repeat edly shelter these pups. "Some are on their fifth, sixth, even seventh puppy," reports Tumey. Yet the urgent need for foster families is ongoing. "These people provide a different kind of love. They know that the dogs are going to go on to provide community service and help someone", Turney con tinues. The arrangement also fits the bill for those who may be uncertain about a long-term commitment to a pet. Once the dogs are returned to the foundation, they embark on an intensive training program, lasting from six to eight months. Successful completion of the program is followed by a graduation ceremony, attended by the new owners as well as the former foster families. Turney calls it "a wonderful evening," with no shortage of emotion from the proud "parents." She adds with a laugh, "It should be sponsored by Kleenex." Prior to graduation, approved clients live at the facility in special resident accommodations. Here, they remain for up to 26 days, working with the dog guide and handler, gradually becoming a team. Currently, there are approximately 60 dogs in training, but the waiting list for these dog guides is at least a year, and growing. Even the four-legged failures (ones who don't graduate) are in hot demand, with a two-year waiting list. "They still make wonderful house pets, just not good guide dogs", explains Tumey. Dog Guides is a charitable organiza tion created by the Lions of Canada, and funded entirely by private and corporate donations. Anyone interested in learning more about this service can call (905) 8422892 or 1-800-7678-3030; or visit their web site at www.dogguides.com. HARDCOVER N O N -F IC T IO N 1. 2. 3. HONEYMOON IN PURDAH, ALISON WEARING THE LEGACY OF LUNA JULIA BUTTERFLY HILL A HEARTBREAKING WORK OF STAGGERING GENIUS DAVE EGGERS 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. LAST RESORT LINWOOD BARCLAY REASON FOR HOPE Register now for Bronte Park summer programs P re-reg istra tions are n o w being accepted for the summer youth programs at Bronte Creek Provincial Park. The Junior N a tio n a lis t JANE GOODALL THE NOTHING THAT IS ROBERT KAPLAN GENOME MATT RIDLEY SOUL STORIES GARY ZUKAV PAY THE RENT OR F E E D THE KIDS MEL HURTIG 10. WITHOUT RESERVATIONS ALICE STEINBACH PAPERBACK NO N-FICTIO N 1. FROM RRUISED FELL JANE FINLAY-YOUNG 2. 3. 4. 5. TOO CLOSE TO THE FALLS CATHERINE GILDINER I DREAMED OF AFRICA KUKIGALLMANN ENCORE PROVENCE suckle - PETER MAYLE FORK IN THE ROAD ANIK SEE (CAFFE EVENT, MAY 30) HARDCOVER F IC T IO N 1. 2. 3. HERO'S WALK ines Especially good fo r a ttractin g hum m ingbirds! A large rge selection to 10 neip help prepare y your our g garden. a ra e n . Garden Tools' Program for chil dren aged four to six, and seven to 10 will m e* Tuesdays from July 4th to ^ t h or Aug. 1st to" 22nd, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Children can enjoy hands-on activities while exploring nature in the park. The Youth O u t d o o r All 30 % 6ff ANITA RAU BADAMI ANIL'S GHOST MICHAEL ONDAATJE DRESSING UP FOR THE CARNIVAL CAROL SHIELDS 4. 5. 6. ISLAND ALISTAIR MACLEOD WATER, CARRY ME THOMAS MORAN RRIDGET JONES: THE EDGE OF REASON HELEN FIELDING 7. 8. 9. IN THE FALL JEFFREY LENT MONKEY REACH PINK Vigoro with every plant purchase over $50 receive one box of PINK all purpose fertilizer for ONLY 9 9 < t Limit one per customer. Expires May 9,2000 Outstanding quality! Mar|iy varietiel«m d sizes to choose from *v p EDEN ROBINSON LOSING JULIA JOHNATHAN HULL 10. THE FOREST EDWARD RUTHERFURD PAPERBACK F IC T IO N 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. CIDER HOUSE RULES JOHN IRVING HIGH FIDELITY NICK HORNBY A PRAYER FOR THE DYING Garden Centre Hwy #5 STEWART O'NAN THE IAST SEPTEMBER ELEZABETH BOWEN EAST OF THE MOUNTAINS DAVID GUTERSON u pp e r M iddle Best Bets provided courtesy of ONE-STOP GARDENING! All specials are w hile quantities last, unless otherw ise stated AGRAM reserves the right to limit quantities. ( 905 ) 257-3577 BookERS b o o k « t o r * -M > * o lo l © r d » r « . b o o k o l u t x Sale Ends Tuesday May 9,2000. OPEN 7 DAYS. A WEEK! Monday-Friday 8-8, Saturday & Sunday 9-5 Leadership Program for 11 to 15-year-olds will be held on W ednesdays beginning on either July 5th or Aug. 2nd, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will run for four weeks. This program helps your child devel op teamwork and leadership skills in a fun atmos phere. The Time Traveller's Club will go back to the year 1899 and children can par ticipate in games and activities that children would have done 100 years ago. TTC will meet on Wednesdays from July 5th to 26th or Aug. 2nd to 23rd, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. This program is for children aged five to 10. All programs are free with a summer or annu al pass. For more information or to register for a pro gram, call 905827-6911 and ask for ext. 231 for Junior Naturalist or Youth Outdoor Leadership Program and ext. 271 for Time Travellers Club.