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Page 10 Times -Advocate, June 21,1995
COMM1JW[T
Couple fostering guide dog
The Donnellys help to prepare Delta for her future job
Heather Mir T -A staff
EXETER - Two local residents
are donating their time and energy
to foster a black lab puppy who is a
candidate for the Canine Vision
Canada Dog Guide program.
. Pat and Patti Donnelly of Exeter
received their dog, Delta, on March
10, 1995 and will be fostering her
for 12 to 14 months.
As part of the fostering program,
the Donnellys have taken Delta to
dog obedience classes at
the Recreation Centre in
Exeter. Delta placed
second in her class and
her foster parents hope
to continue with inter-
mediate level classes.
All pets become im-
portant members of the family but
Delta receives special treatment
from her temporary family. The
Donnellys said they cannot under-
emphasize the role Dr. Ellen Sha-
piro of the Exeter Animal Hospital
has played in ensuring Delta is
healthy and developing properly.
A large part of the job of fos-
tering a dog for Canine Vision in-
volves proper training. The dogs
are trained using a 'Promise' collar
which is a halter made from two
nylon straps. One strap applies
gentle pressure to the neck, im-
itating the mother dog who picks
up a pup by the scruff. The other
applies pressure around the nose
and lower jaw, much like the leader
dog who disciplines a pack member
in the wild. The 'Promise' halter
does not interfere with the normal
activities of the dog but allows the
master to assert authority.
Delta has been taught to respond
to commands like sit, stay and
down. She is also learning to re-
trieve on land and in water. Even-
tually, she may
have to retrieve
things for her own-
er.
"They want you
to have her retrieve
a specific article,"
said Pat Donnelly.
Before Delta is matched with a
recipient, she will be recalled for
two to four more weeks of training
at the Training Centre in Oakville.
This will give the student an op-
portunity to learn what motivates
the dog and what responses can be
expected under normal circum-
stances.
For several years, Patti Donnelly
had been interested in getting in-
volved with the Canine Vision pro-
gram which was established by the
Lions Foundation of Canada in
1983. Once the Donnellys had
gone through a rigorous application
"We have a
vision, she has
a bigger duty,
a career"
process which included providing
referenc; s, information about life-
style, handling specific situations
and writing an essay why they
would make good candidates, they
received a puppy within a month.
"Within a month this black lab
came up for fostering," said Pat
Donnelly.
The most difficult part of the fos-
tering program for the Donnellys
has been learning to adjust their
schedules to accommodate Delta.
They must expose her to as much
as possible so that she will not fear
any situation she may encounter
while leading her master. These
situations include meeting OPP of-
ficers to get Delta used to people in
uniform and exposing her to high
traffic areas, children, manhole
covers, shiny floor and loud noises.
Because the Donnellys enjoy the
outdoors, spending time with Delta
fits into their lifestyle naturally.
She has already been on a canoe
ride and often gets an opportunity
to play with other dogs.
Both of the foster parents work at
the Conservation Authority and
have made special arrangements for
Delta to come to work with them
each day. She has been crate -
trained and a corner of the office is
set aside for her during the work
week.
When it comes time to part with
Delta the foster family will be pre-
pared. They understand that Delta
has a job to do which gives phys-
ically challenged people the ability
to have independence and mobility.
"We have a vision, she has a
bigger duty, a career," said Patti
Donnelly.
All the work and the difficulty
parting with a companion who has
become part of the family is all
worth it when they hear the impact
these dogs have on the lives of their
recipients.
"This is the fifth time he has
saved my life. Sometimes I see the
benefits of my new freedom and in-
dependence pour out in tears of
thanks for him...matched only by
the gratitude I feel for you, who
taught him, created him and pro-
vided him for me. It is you I have
to thank for the life I lead," said a
Special Skills Dog epileptic re-
cipient.
The Lions Foundation has ex-
cellent communication with foster
families. They are invited to their
dog's graduation and are given the
name of the recipient. If they wish,
visits with the dog guide and re-
cipient can be arranged.
"They have a real program to
keep you connected," said Pat Don-
nelly.
Foster pup
Delta, pictured above is a six month old black lab. She is
demonstrating her knowledge of the commands 'sit' and
'stay'. Delta is a part of the Canine Vision Program and is be-
ing fostered by the Donnellys.
Bluewater Rest Home
celebrates 30 years
By Ross Haugh
ZURICH - "I am proud that the Blue Water Rest
Home is alive and well."
That was an opening remark from chairman Fred
Haberer at the home's 30th annual meeting held on
June 13,
Haberer continued, "While some have suffered from
the recession, we have weathered the storm with no
layoffs despite the Social Contract. Our success lies in
having an excellent adminstrator in Josef Risi and a
very co-operative staff."
The chairman added, "Joe (Risi) took us through
times of plenty and low times, but he was able to pro-
vide pleasure and contentment for all of our residents.
We also owe a great deal of gratitude to the Home's
Auxiliary headed by Donna Klopp.
In her report Klopp said, "This auxiliary is one of
the best of its kind in Ontario. We have 42 members
with 11 honorary members. We help residents move,
assist with shopping and do as much as we can for
them. The residents come firs( with a smile."
Habeerer added, "We are extremely fortunate to re-
ceive substantial bequests and donations. We use
these monies in a very tangible way. We are currently
negotiationg for the purchase of a new mobility bus to
replace the van. It will cost about $49,000 and will
hold four wheelchairs and up to six passengers. We
are excited about this bus. While on this subject, I
must thank Glenn Thiel for his many hours of taking
residents on regular trips."
In his report, administrator Josef Risi said the home
now has 65 beds, all of which are long term care. Ad-
mission procedures have changed. Since July 1 of last
year admissions are approved through a county -wide
assessment system out of the office in Clinton. If we
have a vacancy we simply call to Clinton."
Of the 65 current residents 18 are male and 47 fe-
male. Of these 65 residents 29 are between the ages of
30 and 90 and 16 over the age of 90.
Risi reported a switch to natural gas for heating and
for the first year heating costs were down by $6,003.
Heating costs are 44 ccnts a square foot.
A per diem increase of 2.36 percent for residents
was reported by the administrator.
A registered nurse is on duty around the clock and
the home operates its own laundry service with costs
of 38 cents a pound to process linen.
Six employees have been at Blue Water for 25 years
and seven have completed 20 yearkfo service.
On capital costs, Haberer said, "These included up-
dating the computer system, resurfacing of parking lot
and driveway, replacing the water heater, a walk-in
cooler, partition curtains and a rebuilt tractor."
He concluded with, " We now have a special room
for smokers in the new wing. I think we have a power-
ful exhaust fan."
The Blue Water Rest Home is governed by a board
of I1 directors. Retiring at the annual meeting were
Herbert Beierling and Arthur Bennett. The complete
board of directors includes John Becker, Victor Bris-
son, Howard Armstrong, Laurene Corriveau, Claire
Deichert, Mozart Gelinas, Fred Haberer, George Hag -
gilt, Ian McAllister, Stuart Steckle and Donna Thiel.
The Donnelly family has an addition for the next few months. Delta, a black lab puppy will be
with them until she is ready to placed with a recipient in the Canine Vision Program. Pat and
Patti Donnelly are devoted to helping Delta on her way as a working dog.
Your Views
Letters to the editor
Elected officials should vote the way constituents believe.
The true representation would
have been to vote for what your
constituents truly wanted...
Dear Editor:
Just a little note on Bill C 68, the act respecting
firearms and other weapons. Being a taxpayer in the
County of Huron, I feel that true representation was
not voiced through our MP in Ottawa recently. I
have received a little information on Paul Steckle
and his constituency, it goes like this: Approximate-
ly 23,0000 people voted Paul in as our MP. Out of
those 23,000 people approximately 3,000 people
have voiced their opinion against this hill.
From the numbers I have received from Paul
Stcckle's office, I believe that true representation
would have been to vote for what your constituents
truly wanted, and to follow the party line in this
case, the reason he was voted for, in the first place!
We the pcoplc of this riding can only hope that in
the future, all of our elected officials do truly vote
the way the majority of their constituents believe.
Yours truly
Rick Mattucci, Exeter
The Bluewater Rest Home In Zurich held Its 30th annual meeting on June 13. The new board
of directors is shown above. Back, left, Stuart Steckle, Ian McAllister, George Haggitt, John
Becker, Victor Brisson and Donna Thiel. Front, Laurene Corrlveau, vice-charlman Claire
Deichert, chairman Fred Haberer, administrator Josef Pis/ and Mozart Gelinas.
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