Bolton teen has new vital companion

April 28, 2022 · 0 Comments

By Mark Pavilons

A Bolton teen has a very different take on the term “boy’s best friend.”

After completing intensive training, Joshua Moreau and his buddy dog Felix graduated as part of the CNIB Guide Dogs Class of 2022.

Joshua and Felix, a male golden retriever, marked the occasion as part of International Guide Dog Day.

Joshua and Felix were among the 21 graduating partnerships (16 guide dogs and five buddy dogs) from across Canada.

The training went “pretty well,” Joshua said, noting his whole family participated.

“Having Felix makes me really thankful that he’s here and he makes me happy.”

Felix is a buddy dog, not a full guide so he was not fully trained, however, he does know many commands.

It’s an evolving partnership to be sure.

“When I walk him twice a day, I feel safe with him,” Joshua said.

Felix came to live the family last October and he’s been a “real comfort to me to have around.”

Joshua was born with low vision, and lost the majority of his sight when he was 9 to 10 years old. He also has glaucoma and Oculodentodigital Displaysia (ODD).

Joshua, 13, is currently in Grade 8 and Felix will be invaluable to him in the years to come.

Guide dogs are among the most highly trained dogs in the world, performing tasks that require intensive standardized training, and are specifically trained to assist someone who is blind or partially sighted with mobility. Being part of a guide dog team provides mobility, safety and confidence, leading to increased independence and a sense of connection with the world. Guide dogs are one of the only service dogs trained in intelligent disobedience, which is disobeying their handler’s command if it will put the handler’s safety at risk. The safety of their handler is the guide dog’s top priority. 

A buddy dog is partnered with a child who is living with sight loss.

Whether it’s feeding, grooming or walking this well-trained family pet, a buddy dog gives the child an opportunity to care for a dog and may make it easier to transition into a guide dog partnership in the future.  

People with sight loss often say having a guide dog is a transformational experience. Being part of a guide dog team provides mobility, safety and confidence, leading to increased independence and a sense of connection with the world.

The CNIB believes everyone who would like to have a guide dog should have that opportunity.

“At CNIB Guide Dogs, we raise, train and match dogs with Canadians who are blind or partially sighted. We also raise our voices to ensure people with sight loss have opportunities to live, work and play without barriers. We’re committed to ensuring social attitudes shift to universal acceptance and appreciation for guide dogs. To help transform our communities into beacons of accessibility and inclusion.”

They provide all the support that’s needed. From the point someone with sight loss pursues training, to the placement of the dog and throughout the dog’s working life, CNIB offers a wide range of supplementary services, including peer support, advocacy and more. Once the partnership has been working successfully for a year, CNIB Guide Dogs will transfer ownership of the guide dog to the handler.

They offer the highest standards and training to maximize the dogs’ potential.

The program has been supported for decades by Lions Clubs across Canada.