Introducing the CNIB Guide Dogs Class of 2024!
After completing intensive training, it was finally graduation day for the CNIB Guide Dogs class of 2024! On Wednesday, April 24, International Guide Dog Day, we celebrated the graduation of 15 guide dog teams, seven buddy dog partnerships, and one ambassador dog. Those are 23 big reasons to celebrate!
As part of the celebration, viewing parties of the graduation ceremony were held in communities across Canada. For many graduates, these events signified not only the end of months of anticipation and formal training – but also a tribute to all the individuals who supported each dog in their journey, making these partnerships possible.
Meet our graduates
Guide Dog partnerships:
- Alison Chilvers graduated with Poppy, who was raised by Dee Hettiarachchi & Karissa De Silva.
- Brian Alley graduated with Aspen, who was raised by Jody Conod and generously sponsored by The FDC Foundation.
- Cheri Osten graduated with Sassy, who was raised by Jeff Bencharski and generously sponsored by Alan and Tracy Joudrey.
- Jazz, who was raised by Wanda Lee and generously sponsored by Élise Marcoux, graduated with their handler.
- Julia Bonnett graduated with Brecken, who was raised by Tracy Blanchard and family, and generously sponsored Nancy Rogers.
- Karen Hamill graduated with Fozzy, who was raised by Julia Zhu and family, and generously sponsored by Gordon & Pat Butcher and Mason & Pruitt Butcher.
- Kristen Googoo graduated with Coco, who was raised by Jean Cahill and generously sponsored by The FDC Foundation.
- Larissa Proctor graduated with Jim, who was raised by Feng Liu and family, and generously sponsored by an estate gift from S & J Jamieson.
- Laura Mark graduated with Toby, who was raised by Sean Davey and family, and generously sponsored by The FDC Foundation. Congratulations, Laura and Toby!
- Logan Farr graduated with Petie, who was raised by Jerry Jessin and Barbara Santen and generously sponsored by Panagoita Kyriazis.
- Maria Power graduated with Dexter, who was raised by Melody Eisenbart and family, and generously sponsored by The Estate of Sandy Neithercut.
- Marisa Hersey-Misner graduated with Harley, who was raised by Judith O'Neil and the Bulsara family, and generously sponsored by the Chanchlani Foundation.
- Maxine Silva graduated with Symba, who was raised by Shirly and Pat Walsh and generously sponsored by Nancy Rogers.
- Richard Engstrom graduated with Hanlon, who was raised by Hana Benovic and generously supported by individual and monthly donors across Canada.
- Stela Trudeau graduated with Oscar, who was raised by Apanie Wood and Brent and Cathy Conacher and generously sponsored by Mary and John Crocker.
Buddy Dog partnerships:
- Anakha Sharma Thampi graduated with Tosca, who was raised by Émilie Palethorpe and generously sponsored by the Britton Smith Foundation.
- Cameron Mamye graduated with Riley, who was raised by Christine Loh and Kezia Gray and generously sponsored by Elaine and Lloyd Burrow.
- Emile Corkery graduated with Brandy, who was raised by Pat Malanchuk and Mallory Gasparovic and generously sponsored by Mary and John Crocker.
- Emmett Carmichael graduated with Scout, who was raised by Jane Dodds and generously supported by individual and monthly donors across Canada.
- Nathan Payne graduated with Ryder, who was raised by Kathryn & Fiona Lee and generously sponsored by Uber.
- Olivia Ouellet graduated with Jamie, who was raised by Jean Cahill and generously supported by individual and monthly donors across Canada.
- Phineas Sizer graduated with Matilda, who was raised by Irene Burns, Brent and Cathy Conacher.
Ambassador Dog partnership:
- Irene Burns graduated with Chester, who was raised by Michael Fung and Debra Williamson and generously sponsored by Howard and Delores Beck.
Join us in celebrating the Class of 2024 by watching the graduation ceremony!