The Canadian National Institute for the Blind marked its one-hundredth anniversary this year, and a couple weeks ago, held a graduation for the first six guide dogs it has ever trained. Until now, other agencies trained the dogs.
None of them live in our region, but CNIB Guide Dogs community engagement head Victoria Noland says that could change.
“The application process is going to open up in the new year and so then anyone from anywhere in Canada can apply.”
“The dogs themselves train for two years, “Nolan says, “and then once they’re matched with the person that’s going to be with them, they train together for about three weeks.”
The CNIB covers all the costs, including transportation to the training location… or to bring a trainer and a dog to where you live.
Full information: www.cnibguidedogs.ca