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7 | O akville B eaver | T hursday,M ay 28,2020 insidehalton.com Like all other non-essen- tial workplaces, the Lions Foundation of Canada DogFoundation of Canada DogF Guides was forced to abruptly close its Wilson Street facility as the pan- demic gripped Ontario. Foster families and dogFoster families and dogF sitters had to be found for 120 dog guides in training, a feat that was accomplishedfeat that was accomplishedf within two weeks thanks to the national training school's "amazing foster families." families." f In some instances, volun- teers are caring for up to three dogs: a new puppy, a dog about to be recalled for training and a dog in train- ing which had to find a home with the pandemic's arrival. Besides the interruption in training, 58 applicants from across the countryfrom across the countryf scheduled to spend up to three weeks at Dog Guides getting acquainted with their new four-legged work- ing friends over the spring and summer, had to post- pone their stays. "As for the employees, it was a huge change," said Dog Guides instructor Courtney Starr. Working from home,Working from home,W staff had to devise ways of continuing to train the dogs, all at various stages of their training, from a distance until they could access es- sential equipment at the fa- cility. "Weekly video calls, emails and phone calls were implemented in order to check in on the dog's status and also provide training exercises." In addition, support was required for the more than 1,000 matches already un- derway and for the 328 fu- ture dog guides in the care of foster families.foster families.f "These puppies still re- quire medical care and food (donated by Pet Valu), so our vet and kennel staff team (considered essential staff) are still working from the training facilities in order to provide the puppies with the appropriate care," said Starr. Once the facility re- opens, dogs that are already matched with an applicant, should be ready in about six to eight weeks, while new trainees will be assessed and a training regimen put in place, said Starr. While all applicants were looking forward to the in- creased safety, mobility and independence afforded them with a dog guide, a few applicants whose dog guide had retired or passed away, will have to revert to life be- fore their trusted compan-fore their trusted compan-f ion. "Our Canine Vision grad- uates would have to go back to relying on their white cane to navigate the world. After having a dog guide for many years, this is a very difficult task to face," said Starr. There is no indication yet as to when Dog Guides will reopen, or "most important- ly", when the charity will feel it's safe for all applicantsfeel it's safe for all applicantsf with compromised immune systems to make their way to Oakville, safe for volun- teers of all ages and safe for staff who work with both children and the elderly, she said. Dog Guides receives no government funding and re- lies on donations such as those that come from the an- nual Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides, its biggest annual fundraiser, which allows thefundraiser, which allows thef organization to provide dog guides to Canadians with physical and medical disa- bilities at no cost. This year, plans are in place for the first ever virtu- al walk for dog guides on May 31. Participants can sign up by going to www.walkfordogguides- .com. "Now more than ever, Dog Guides is relying on the generous support of its do- nors and partners." NEWS DOG GUIDES FORCED TO HALT TRAINING KATHY YANCHUS kyanchus@metroland.com Dog Guides instructor Courtney Starr. Jim Craigmyle photo