Graduates Corner

Introducing the CNIB Guide Dogs Class of 2023!

After completing intensive training, it was finally graduation day for the CNIB Guide Dogs class of 2023! On April 26th, International Guide Dog Day, we celebrated the graduation of nine guide dog teams, five buddy dog partnerships, and one ambassador dog. Those are 15 big reasons to celebrate! 

Meet our graduates

Guide Dog partnerships: 

• Alison Chilvers graduated with Rufus, who was raised by Jantine Wigboldus in Australia, Jeff Barr in Ontario and Norine Wiess in Ontario, and generously sponsored by Penny, Elizabeth and Christopher Finneron. 
• Blair Young graduated with Kelly, who was raised by John Kennedy in Ontario.
• Denise Chamberlain graduated with Zeke, who was raised by Nathalie Ednie and Laura Clarke in Melbourne, Australia and Kathryn Lee in Ontario, and generously sponsored by Jane and Steve Savidant. 
• Laurie Ponsford graduated with Bridget, who was raised by Eileen Zimmerman in Australia and Peter Dillman in Ontario and generously sponsored by Katharine Boodt. 
• Lyle Dukart graduated with Quebec, who was raised by Brooke Oversmith in the USA and generously sponsored by Leader Dogs for the Blind in Michigan.
• Marisa Hersey-Misner graduated with Novalee, who was raised by William McDonald in the U.S.A and Brent Conacher in Ontario, and generously sponsored by Leader Dogs for the Blind in Michigan. 
• Penny Hartin graduated with Honour who was raised by Andrea Jekic in Ontario. 
• Ross Adams graduated with Nala, who was raised by Brent Conacher in Ontario. 
• Suzanne Martin graduated with Lily, who was raised by Maja Packer in Nova Scotia. 

Buddy Dog partnerships:

• Adam Shafi graduated with Henson, who was raised by Laura Fisher, Leader Dogs, USA, and generously sponsored by Leader Dogs for the Blind in Michigan. 
• Addison Sullivan graduated with Binnie, who was raised by Jaki Mackinlay and Janice Warren in Ontario. 
• Ella Avery graduated with Georgie, who was raised by Jodi Moore and Faye Cummings in Ontario, and generously sponsored by Georgian. 
• Ezra Johnson graduated with Patsy, who was raised by Debra Williamson and Lori Coyle in Calgary. 
• Gabriel Zapff Alves graduated with Terry, who was raised by Christine Gibson in Ontario. 

Ambassador Dog partnership:

• Valerie Williams and Susan Elsey graduated with Flanders, who was raised by Claire Bernier in Ontario.

Join us in celebrating the Class of 2023 by watching the graduation ceremony on YouTube!