Special visitors lead the pack at SL Walk for Dog Guides

Aug 04, 2011

Photo: Nathaniel and Angela Varacalli with Fiyero, Jean Graham with Fergus, Florence Pye with Frezno and Karoline Bourdeau with Jacques

Back for its third year, Purina's Walk for Dog Guides, a fundraiser put on by the Sharbot Lake and District Lions, attracted record numbers of donor/walkers and their four-legged friends to Oso Beach on July 31. The walkers were joined by three special individuals and their beloved dog guides, who helped to demonstrate the important work that these specially trained animals do.

Begun and organized by Lion Carolyn Bond, the Sharbot Lake event raises funds for the training of the dog guides. Each guide costs roughly $20,000 to train and they serve, free of charge, anyone in Canada who requires one. Prior to Sunday’s walk all of the participants gathered at the Sharbot Lake pavilion to hear from these three visitors how these animals are helping them to get through their everyday lives.

I spoke to Angela Varacalli of Oakville, ON, mother of five-year-old Nathaniel, who is autistic and received Fiyero, his first specially-trained autism assistance dog back in December. “Having Fiyero has changed all of our lives greatly,” she said. “ We've been able to do things as a family that we just weren’t able to do before, things like going out to dinner, to the movies, and camping- all of which we couldn't do before because there would be too much stimulus for Nathaniel.” She explained the calming effect Fiyero has on Nathaniel, who since being paired with Fiyero can now concentrate on playing with his siblings, watching TV, and playing quietly in his room with Fiyero right by his side. Part of Fiyero's special training includes lying down whenever Nathaniel tries to run away abruptly, a common occurrence in the past that meant installing alarms on all doors at their home. Prior to Fiyero's arrival Nathaniel would trigger the alarms up to five times a day. Now if Nathaniel tries to run off, Fiyero who is tethered to his hand, will immediately lie down preventing Nathaniel from running off. For months since getting the dog, the house alarms have been silent and Nathaniel's parents inform me that Fiyero has quickly become Nathaniel’s best friend.

Karoline Bourdeau of Amherstview, who is blind, relies on six-year-old Jacques, her fourth dog guide, as her eyes. “He helps me get around by showing me where steps are; he helps me navigate crowds when I am in a busy place and prevents me from stepping out into traffic. He attended my last year of law school with me and the bond that has developed between us is indescribable. These dogs not only become your eyes, they are your friends too and to be honest I’d feel completely naked without him.”

Florence Pye of Carleton Place, who is visually impaired, is the proud owner of Frezno, a two-year-old lab who is her sixth dog. “With Frezno I can be independent which is really important to me,” she said.

Also present for the walk was Jean Graham, Lions District Dog Guide Chair. Jean was showing off her latest charge, Fergus, the 18th puppy she has fostered to date. When Fergus reaches 14 months of age he will undergo the necessary training.

Anyone who missed the walk but would still like to make a donation can do so by visiting purinawalkfordogguides.com