First Guide Dog Trained On Vancouver Island Passes With Flying Paws

VICTORIA - The BC Guide Dog Association graduated its first student on Vancouver Island today, and he will make his home in Nanaimo. Eddy is a two year-old Golden Retriever/Lab cross, who for the next 8 years will be the eyes for Donna Hudor.

Hudor has been legally blind since the age of 23, and without a guide dog for the past six months. She has had to rely on family and friends to help her get around, but also stopped doing many of her daily activities. Going for a walk or to the store is just simply more difficult and dangerous without a guide dog.

It costs roughly 37,000 dollars to train a guide dog. The bill for each and every graduate through the program is funded by the BC Guide Dog Association, who relies solely on donations. Donna paid $1 for Eddy, part of the groups commitment to making mobility affordable to the blind.

There is roughly a 2-year wait at the moment for a guide dog, and there is always a need for volunteers and dog borders.

For more information or if you would like to help go to http://www.bcguidedog.com

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• Victoria
• British Columbia
• Guide Dog
• Training
• Volunteers
• Erin Glazier