By Ben Francis, Manager, Guide Dog Training, CNIB Guide Dogs
For the third consecutive year, CNIB Guide Dogs partnered with Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada to host an orientation and mobility immersion program for 17 participants waiting to be matched with a CNIB Guide Dog. The program ran from August 27 to September 1 at CNIB Lake Joe in Muskoka, Ontario.
The invited participants came from Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Alberta. Facilitating the program were nine Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS), 10 Guide Dog Mobility Instructors (GDMI), and apprentices. The Guide Dog team also brought 10 Guide Dogs in training.
The immersion program focuses on instructing participants on their orientation and mobility and guide dog handling skills in hopes of maximizing the potential of each CNIB Guide Dogs applicant. Each participant was matched with a COMS and a GDMI, and individual training occurred both at the CNIB Lake Joe and in the nearby town of Parry Sound.
Once participants were given an orientation of the various environments with their white cane, they had a chance to navigate the same spaces with a guide dog. The experience provided each participant with the opportunity to refine their long cane skills under the supervision of a professional, as well as to demonstrate their abilities as a dog handler alongside a GDMI. Some participants had previous experience working with a Guide Dog; for others, it was their first opportunity to try it out.
Not only did the participants get a chance to work with various dogs in a guiding capacity, but they also had an opportunity to be responsible for a dog during mealtimes, information sessions, social activities and overnights. The basics of dog handling techniques were explained and put into practice, as well as feeding and relieving procedures, playtime & free running. This experience gave the Guide Dog Mobility Instructors a chance to assess each person’s abilities and motivation and helped determine what type of dog would best suit the applicant during the matching process.
CNIB Lake Joe staff were, as always, phenomenal hosts and provided a variety of activities for both participants and staff members to enjoy. Some highlights included water sports, boating, fishing, rock climbing, basketball, tandem biking, campfires, etc.
This collaboration between CNIB Guide Dogs, Vision Loss Rehabilitation and CNIB Lake Joe teams truly embodies the “Stronger Together” commitment to work cooperatively and band together to level the playing field for Canadians who are blind, partially sighted, and Deafblind.
Participant testimonial: "Hoping this program would give me insight into the pros and cons of becoming a handler, I had a goal: to conquer stairs, whether with a dog or a white cane. I was thrilled to know I could do both. Getting a refresher on my O&M skills gave me the confidence to know I can be independent. This confidence is so important to being a guide dog handler. Connecting with other handlers gave me the insight I was looking for. Having conversations with a diverse group of people with varied lifestyles was useful to compare thoughts on committing to a dog and understanding the partnership I would be entering. I was still on the fence about whether I wanted to commit to the process and be matched, but I’m glad to say I’ve made a decision and am committed to waiting for a match that makes sense to me. I left the program feeling confident, well-rested, and ready for school, work, and family life with a rejuvenated fresher, and positive attitude." – Yvonne Felix.