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A8 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, September 27,2000 Guide dogs provide independence By Howard Mozel OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF To Etobicoke's Teny Bray, his new guide dog Sagan is a four-legged saviour. "Sagan gives me independence and freedom and the ability to travel with safety," says Bray, one of last Thursday's nine graduates from the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. "He offers a cer tain amount of security." Although self-employed from home, Bray says Sagan is invaluable for when he ventures outside for grocery shopping or making doctors appointments - in short, just getting on with life. Bray - a married father - received his . first guide dog in 1976 while he was in high school, an opportunity which allowed him to forego assistance from his family and go from class to class and par ticipate in events. The same held true when Bray attended university. While strangers can be very generous with their assistance, Bray says it's simply too easy to take the help. Managing by himself aided by his dog, he adds, pro vides a tremendous sense of accomplish ment. For those who don't respect the relationship between man and dog, Bray says they should hope the shoe is never on the other foot. "It's easy to be arrogant with full sight and full hearing and if you can walk," he says. "Take that away, and it's humbling." Bray received his second dog in 1990 and his third, Sagan, this month. (All have been yellow labs.) Rather than adapt years of old habits to his new guide dog, Bray says he made a conscious effort to forget everything and start fresh with Sagan. Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides - the only dog guide school of its Sandy Tumey, funding for such vital works comes from "everyone, but the government" That's why the annual Walk For Dog Guides - to be held Sunday - is so important This year's goal is $200,000. For information call 1-800-768-3030 or visit www.dogguides.com. This 5k walk, the Foundation's major fundraising event, is loads of fun, explained Tumey, who says in the past walkers have participated with dogs, sheep, pigs and even leashes without hounds attached. Hearing Ear Dogs are another impor tant component of the school. These high ly-trained canines alert their partners to ringing telephones, doorbells, smoke alarms and other sounds - even a baby's cries - then lead them to the source. "The dogs work all day, 24 hours a day," says trainer Jason Chtysler. The talents of the Special Skills Dogs encompass a range of disciplines vital to the independence of those with physical and mental disabilities. As demonstrated by trainer Nicole Caron, these dogs can do everything from picking up dropped car keys and opening doors to turning on lights and retrieving items from the fridge. They can even pull laundry from the dryer. "If I ever find a dog who can fold, I'm keeping him for myself," laughs Caron. It is important for the public to under stand that when any of the dogs are in har ness they're working and should not be fed, petted or distracted. "A dog is an extension of the person he's teamed with," says Caron. Although the waiting list can run from six to 18 months, Tumey is very proud of the work accomplished when the school, its students and dogs join forces. "In a good year about 75 teams gradu ate," she says. 1 P L A N N IN G A N D P U B L IC W O R K S D E P A R T M E N T Photo by Riziero Vertolli Terry Bray with his new dog guide Sagan. kind in North America - is dedicated to helping people with visual, mental and physical disabilities. Mobility, safety and independence is provided through Canine Vision Canada, Hearing Ear Dogs of Canada and Special Skills Dogs of Canada. Since 1983, the school has helped more than 700 adults and children achieve independence, mobility and safety. Clients come from all over Canada. The school picks up the tab for travel expenses, accommodation and two to four weeks of training. According to Lions Foundation of Canada executive director WATERMAIN AND WASTEWATER MAIN REPLACEMENT ON SEDGEWICK CRESCENT, SAVOY CRESCENT, AND WOODHAVEN PARK DRIVE IN THE TOWN OF OAKVILLE CONTRACT NUMBER W -1705-00 SCHEDULE START DATE: Septem ber 25, 2000 SCHEDULE COMPLETION DATE: Decem ber 15, 2000 CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR: GORD ROBINS ext 7675 TELEPHONE: O akville, Burlington, M ilton (905) 825-6030 Acton (519) 853-0501 Georgetown (905) 878-8113 fT Aldershot (905) 639-4540 Streetsville (905) 823-6720 www.regkxuhalton.on.ca October is Library Month October is Library Month in Oakville. The month will feature activ ities for all ages, special children's pro grams, library tours, author vis its, open houses, technology dem onstrations, research tips, Internet and email clinics. Mayor Ann Mulvale will pro claim Oakville Public Library month at a kick-off event to be held at Oakville Central Library, 120 Navy Street on Thursday from 12 noon to 1 p.m. The Oakville Public Library has been provid ing the Oakville community with access to infor mation and resources since 1895. The Oakville Public Library is now at the fore front of the infor mation age. The four library locations offering 100 pub lic access com puters and print ers, access to the Internet, electron ic resources and library services, an extensive com munity services database, the lat est in DVDs, r e a d i n g machines, e-mail reference service, business research and more. Watch for the library's program flyer in the Sept. 29th Oakville Beaver. G recrf f A v i u y f o r « - a uycrfe fetee/iou feAfomel ctem f. C /oofe prom perem U A/f, u u rfery, p o m / fu ppiief, pA/co P u r m /u r e , (a w u &m/ fe J tl PA m u S too(f, fprCnA/erf, h-Ofef A m / m ore. H urry lu por th e (/erf fetec/iou, ... fi)hi(e puAtrft'/ief (&rff T u lip , O i C ro c u s Nou> i f th e tim e to p /f u r f y O u r y . / f t O u rfr ry ey h r A u f'p u l j V ft r f ^ Enjoy beautiful colour in your garden this fall with hardy mums from Garden Gallery. Choose from a great selection of colours, all bursting with blooms. Landscape size. S. fy f e A c h o r o r AdC x N /T * W P A a / cA t t \ * t A h /o o m f. t j f ^ / e u G tl/e r y h * f a ^ jpjpjp J j ^ J yre* .fO t 0 if d f fe/ec/i Cu- to d o o fe prom. v " 5*Q V*- V 1 GrcJte vcrte Add a special touch to your seasonal decor. / yp v m W y [ EacA. J u f / A r r iv e d / S e & fo r c e d f ir e w o o d Enjoy the romance, beauty, crackling sounds and comforting warmth of your fire on the cool days ahead. Available for pick-up or delivery. Seasoned hardwood is easy to light and bums beautifully. 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