In the early 1980s, Lions clubs across Canada sought to develop a national project to reflect their service to Canadians with visual impairments. The result was the establishment of the Lions Foundation of Canada and its founding program, Canine Vision Canada, which was launched in 1985. Now the largest school of its kind in the country, Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides is located in Oakville, while operating a breeding and training facility in Breslau. Dog Guides in seven distinct programs are provided at no cost to eligible Canadians from coast to coast. From breeding to rearing and training with a lifetime of follow-up services, each Dog Guide is $35,000 to train and place. The foundation relies on donations to provide these special matches and does not receive any government funding. On Sept. 22, the Atwood Lions Club made a sizeable $25,000 contribution to Canada Guide Dogs, represented by Kelly Russell, Deb Cserhalmi and Cheryl Bauman, along with future Guide Dogs Pekoe, Portia and Bindi.
