You are looking at the new proud member of The Toronto Humane Society! YAY!
I will be a volunteer dog walker and I will soon be training with THS where I will learn how to handle our canine pals. I am thrilled at the opportunity to help this great organization and the animals in need. I am well on my way on learning more about animal rescue and adoption!
Thank you Tom the Prof, Steph, Sarah, Nilla, Ivania, Lesley, Daniel and mom for all your support!
I'm looking forward to sharing more stories with you my fellow animal lovers.
Chief looks like your ordinary cute and adorable puppy, but this cute little fellow is a dog with a purpose. Chief is currently on his way to becoming a dog guide for the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides.
Since 1983 The Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides has assisted thousands of Canadians with medical and physical disabilities by providing them with dog guides at no cost. This Oakville, Ontario based organization depends on the generosity of its network including donors, volunteers, corporate donors and Lions Clubs to assist those in need.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Andrew Thuss, an account executive at Trevor//Peter Communications and a volunteer for Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. Andrew became familiar with Canada Dog Guides through a work project with Fido (one of Canada Dog Guides' corporate donors) and together with his fiancé Kate, they decided to volunteer as foster parents to a future dog guide.
Enter Chief the puppy...
Andrew and Kate's journey began with an on-line application which was shortly followed by an interview with Canada Dog Guides. Andrew comically mentions that the interview itself was to ensure that they weren't looking to steal the puppy - joking aside, he mentions that the interview was focused on getting to know them as people and whether they would be a good fit for fostering.
Chief, the happy-go-lucky lab, came into their lives about six weeks ago. He was only eight weeks old when Andrew and Kate picked him up from Canada Dog Guides facility. According to his foster parents, Chief is a mild manner and focused lab who loves to meet new faces.
As a foster parent, Andrew and Kate's role is to house train Chief, to teach him general commands and more importantly to socialize him with people and other dogs. As a dog guide, Chief will be exposed to various types of environments and people. Therefore to ensure his success, it is vital that he becomes accustomed to all types of stimuli. Andrew and Kate are therefore taking Chief everywhere they go.
What's amazing is that Andrew and Kate are fortunate to be able to take Chief into their respective workplaces - Andrew mentions that they take turns taking Chief to work. How great is that?! A virtual high-five goes out to Trevor//Peter Communications from Furever Pals for supporting their employees with this wonderful cause.
There is a lot of responsibility that comes with becoming a foster parent to a future dog guide. Andrew mentions that there are rules that come with this job to ensure Chief's success as a working dog. For example Chief is not allowed on furniture, he must sleep in his crate and feeding time is a disciplined activity.
In addition, Andrew and Kate must take Chief into the Canada Dog Guides facility every six weeks, so that they can check on his physical development and progress. Despite all this work, this is a labour of love for this amazing couple - they are focused on Chief's best interest so that he can help someone in need one day.
Chief will remain a resident at Andrew and Kate's home for the next year or so. After this time he will be enrolled in dog training school at Canada Dog Guides where he will be training for approximately four to six months. Upon successful completion of dog training school, Andrew and Kate will have the opportunity to attend Chief's graduation and they will also have the chance to meet the person that will eventually be partnered with Chief.
Andrew had a few words of advice for anyone considering volunteering for a foster program such as this. He emphasizes that it is a 24/7 job specially in the beginning when the dog is young. Andrew mentions that without Kate he would have had a rough start and recommends that more than one person gets involved to ensure that the puppy gets the required care and attention.
As tempting as cuddling with Chief on the coach sounds , you need to keep the end goal in mind Andrew says. It's vital to see beyond the cute and adorable puppy face because the rules trump anything else. It takes approximately $20,000 to raise, train and place these dogs therefore the last thing you want to do is impede their development. I encourage you to visit The Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides website to learn more about this wonderful organization and how to get involved.
I want to thank Andrew for taking the time to talk to me about his experience, it was great to hear about the amazing work he's doing first hand. Stay tuned for future Chief tails as Andrew has graciously offered to give us updates. I also want to thank Ryan Chan for introducing us - Ryan your awesome! (Please vote for Ryan's picture on NOW Magazine, he's an amazing photographer! Check out his website too )
The Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides on the Rick Mercer Report
