Calgarians needed to help raise guide dogs: 'Who doesn't love a puppy?'
The Canada's National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) is looking for caring Calgarians to help raise future guide dogs.
The puppies grow up to help those who are blind or visually impaired, providing stability and support.
"What we're trying to do is make sure that anybody in Canada who wants or needs a guide dog has an opportunity to get one," said Diane Bergeron, president of CNIB guide dogs.
"We've already put out approximately 70 guide dogs across the country since we started (in 2017)."
In Calgary, there are currently 11 volunteers, but CNIB is hoping to expand that pool of puppy raisers.
"Who doesn't love a puppy? Everybody loves a puppy," said Bergeron.
"When you can have a puppy and know that at the end of that training cycle, that dog isn't just hanging out as a pet … But that dog is going to go on to do bigger and greater things and give back to somebody and help somebody out. I think it's a really rewarding opportunity."
Puppy raiser Ann Pan has been raising her black lab Beacon for eight months.
The pup is in the middle of his training cycle, before being rehoused with a client late this summer into early fall.
"Beacon is going to be a life changer," Pan said.
"He is going to help someone that is either blind or visually impaired, and I think it's really important, because he will help someone have mobility that they wouldn't previously have had."
CNIB needs Calgary volunteers to help raise guide dog puppies. Pan says it’s hard not to create a loving bond with the dogs, but the value they can bring others is priceless.
"One of the questions I'm always asked when I'm out and about is, 'How can you give them away?' And I let people know I've gone into with a mentality that this isn't my dog," said Pan.
"However, for the year that I'm puppy raising this dog, I'm going to give as much love and energy and all those things to this dog, and I am going to allow my family to bond with this dog as well, knowing that at the end of it, we are trying to do our best to help raise a great animal to benefit someone else."
For Bergeron, she says her golden retriever Carla has changed her life.
"Without her, I wouldn't be who I am," she said. "Without the dogs I've had over the years, I wouldn't be who I am. And without the puppy raisers, that wouldn't have even been possible."
CNIB has more information on its website about how you can become a puppy raiser.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A 'tragedy that can't be measured': North Bay's forever chemical problem is also the rest of Canada's
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Here's what 'the hinge' move is, how to do it correctly
When you're picking something up from the floor or bending over to tie your shoe laces, you're performing "the hinge move," according to movement trainers.
Trump heading to Jersey Shore to rally 'mega crowd' in weekend break from hush money trial
After a long week in court, Donald Trump is heading to the Jersey Shore. And his campaign says he'll be joined by "tens of thousands" of his friends.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
Fine dining, at a new high. A Michelin-starred chef will take his cuisine to our upper atmosphere
Six guests are set to ascend aboard Spaceship Neptune to the stratosphere, where they will enjoy an immersive dining experience served up by Danish Michelin-starred chef Rasmus Munk.