HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2007-09-05, Page 6Page 6 The Huron Expositor • September 5, 2007
News
Boyd enjoying greater independence with guide dog
From Page 1
"An 18 -inch mirror sticking out of a
truck caught me in the ribs the
other day. It still hurts," he says.
Another difficulty is dog lovers
who don't understand that Boyd's
guide dog is working while in har-
ness.
"People want to pet the dog while
he's in harness but I can't even
shake his paw then," says Boyd.
While in harness, the guide dog
cannot drink water or even relieve
himself.
"He'll stop me and go in a circle
around me if he has to go so I take
the harness off," says Boyd.
Boyd doesn't want to share his
dog's name because he fears the dis-
traction of people calling out to the
dog as he passes by.
"He's still a baby and he's very
playful. He's still learning," adds
Seaforth Coun. Bob Fisher, who also
uses a white cane because of his
failing sight and often walks with
oover Home Inspection
New :ederal Grant Program
Improve the comfort and increase the energy efficiency of your horse.
The federal government has recently announced a new incentive program called "ecuENERGY
Retrofit" to help improve the efficiency of your home and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions
The amount of grants have been incrr.ased and now the Prov n:e has matched all fed -al grant,
R.H.I.
Tim Hoo ver RHI CEA CEI
519-565-5436 Bayfield
877-877-7526 Toll Free
Boyd.
However, Boyd is constantly see-
ing improvement in his guide dog's
abilities and says there are about 15
different stops in town he's becom-
ing familiar with.
"And, coming back, he'll come
straight home," he says.
Brenda Heimpel, orientation and
mobility specialist with Canine
Vision Canada Guidedogs, says
she's been very impressed working
with Boyd as she trained him to use
his guide dog.
"Joe did very well. He truly
understands how his dog guide will
benefit him," she says, adding that
having a guide dog has already
allowed Boyd greater independence
and greater confidence.
"You know how when you're 16,
youcget your driver's licence? This is
Joe's driver's licence," she says.
Heimpel agrees with Boyd that
the 26 -day training session was not
easy.
"We're not soft - we want them to
be successful.. My hope is they're
more independent when they finish
the training than when they began,"
says Heimpel.
She says it will take six months to
a year for a handler and his dog to
bond and become a team.
"They're still working on a few
things. There are a lot .of dogs in
Joe's neighbourhood and his dog is
very friendly," she says.
Heimpel reiterates Boyd's request
that the Seaforth community follow
the guidelines for a guide dog.
"I know it sounds harsh but when
you see a guide dog, ignore the dog.
Don't make eye contact, pet or offer
food to the dog," she says.
Heimpel adds that approaching
Boyd and asking him about his dog
will allow him to take off the har-
ness and let people meet his dog.
"Most handlers are more than
happy to talk about their dogs," she
says.
Heimpel says she's noticed that
Boyd and his wife are already enjoy-
ing enhancements in their lives
from the addition of their new dog.
"He's adjusted extremely well
since losing his vision six years ago
and this is one more step forward,"
she says of the advantages of a
guide dog.
"At the end of the day, he can give
his dog a hug. It's very hard to get a
hug from a white cane," says
Heimpel.
STRATFORD AIR SERVICES
Call Today + 519-271-4881
Call 1-877-510-510-2 and talk to a Registered. Dietitian for free.
EatRight Ontario ontario.ca/eatright
!PPM Ai
Paid for by the Government of Ontario
Ontario