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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 1999-07-28, Page 611 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, duty 2e, 1999 News Dog's day filled with obstacles Nero is training to become a guide dog for the blind through a Lions Club funded program By Scott Hilgondorff Expositor Editor Nero's day is always filled with overcoming obstacles. The chocolate Labrador retriever is a guide dog for the blind being trained by Charlie Stevens under the Canine Vision Canada program that arranges for blind• people across Canada - to have dog assistants, and is funded by Lions Clubs, "The most challenging obstacle is people;" said Stevens. who brought Nero to Lions Park -last Wednesday where the Lions Club hosted its first-ever barbecue for residents of Maplewood and Seaforth Manor. • Stevens said people are always moving and Nero and other guide dogs have to learn to•work around them when helping their master travel.down the street or through a building. At the same time, the dog has to work its way around standard obstacles like posts and garbage cans. But he's got lots .to learn before he 'begins leading a .blind person.'starting with the basics from sitting and staying when commanded: "My secret as a trainer is the dog always succeeds." said Stevens. He teaches small steps first, never pushing past that which the dog is capable. After learning some basic commands. Nero has been taught to.wear a harness. "The harness is ` his uniforni." Stevens said. When it is held out for him. Nero has been -taught to step forward, into the harness. The harness then has a handle set comfortably for a person to walk with the dog. "The harness is goingto come to symbolize 'work' to harness." said Stevens. When the harness is on, ;Nero has .been taught not to come to other people who. call him or to be distracted by things. He won't even eat a treat that's held out to him until the harness is taken off. . Stevens said that's why people are asked not to pet guide dogs when they' are wearing the harness because that's when they know they are working and have to be -alert to their master's needs. "He has to respect the harness," said Stevens. But when the harness comes off, Nero is an affectionate dog eager to visit with people. "He knows when the harness comes •off. he can. play,"- said Stevens. Once he 'was used to working with the harness, Nero. was.:taught a .new command: "forward." He has been taught to walk in a straight line and a careful pace. followed by, left and right turns. Scott Hilgendorff photos Charlie Stevens -and Nero demonstrate some of the skills the chocolate labrador is learning through training at Canine Vision Canada, an organization funded by lions Clubs across Canada. The organization trains dogs to assist people who are blind. Other divisions of the program train dogs for people without hearing or other special needs. Now, he has to learn about traffic and how to anticipate when a vehicle or obsta?le is a threat and other more complicated commands as they begin working, first in hallways.' then in quiet neighbourhoods and eventually in busy downtowns with subway systems; escalators and • other- challenge .. . He has about a year to learn itall before being partnered with a blind person.. And it's.• a true partnership. While Stevens said most people think the dog does all -the work of getting a blind person through an intersection, it's actually a good example of the partnership. Nero will be taught to walk down the -street, avoid obstacles along the way. and stop 'at the curb. • His master will feel the edge of the curb with his, • foot and ask Nero to go forward again if it's a simple intersection. If there are traffic lights. the blind person will have to listen to the flow of traffic to determine when the lights change and whether or not there are advance green lights: At the same time. Nero will know to watch for cars and threats and will not go forward when, asked if there's any danger. Nero also can't just take his master from their future home to the bank. The person will have to memorize a route, using skills he or she is taught through orientation training like that offered by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. In the fast few• weeks of training, Stevens will wear a blindfold so there is no chance of holding Nero back McKillop Township offices now in Seaforth McKillop Township offices have now moved into the Seaforth Town Hall. - Jack McLachlan became clerk -treasurer for McKillop Township this spring, completing a plan that now sees him sharing administration duties for Seaforth, Tuckersmith Township and McKillop Township and plans were made to have all the offices in a central location. McKillop offices officially moved to Seaforth on July 9. For now, calls coming in for McKillop Township will be made to the Seaforth Town Hall number which rings into two telephone lines. A separate telephone line exists for Tuckersmith Township but McLachlan told council at its July 13 meeting they were concerned about adding a fourth line because it would overload staff on the lunch hours. He said there's not that many calls that Come into the McKillop Township office that it should overload the three telephone lines. it he's about to walk Stevens intoa pole. With the blindfold on. Stevens has to: dependon Nero's training as the successful applicant to the. program will soon have to do. ' :Someone receiving a dog will come to the Canine Vision Canada's Oakville facility. for 26 days of training with their new partner. Many of• the 'dogs. mostly labradors and a few golden retrievers. because of their temperament and. adaptability..are bred at the facility and spend about a year with a foster family before they being their training. During that time and in the first few weeks of training. Stevens meets with the dog and "parents" to learn what he is. like and figure out his personality. • Knowing each dog's personality. he assesses the blind person's needs and matches them up with the right dog. For example. a person living, in the city. going to school and living an active lifestyle, will receive a more energetic dog than an elderly.person in a GRAY INSURANCE BROKERS INC. Allan Carter, Broker • Home • Auto • Commercial • Farm 522-0399 Seaforth 1-800-265-0959 Strathroy rural community that needs the- dog to get them to the general store down a quiet street. - • At the facility. Stevens. turns -the dog over to the new master and the duo bond as they begin working together. first walking in hallways and eventually in more complicated situations. - "Usually when they first • start out. they're, stepping all over the dog." said Stevens. 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