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6:30 pm, Tuesday
November 4, 2008
168 King St S
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Home > Making a difference > Dog Guides > Dreyfus

We first met Dreyfus in April 2006. We knew right away he was a puppy with a big future. Over the next year while we watched Dreyfus grow, we raised funds in support of Dreyfus' care and training through branch events, staff casual day donations, credit union charitable donation funds and most importantly, the generosity of our Members.

Through the training program, Dreyfus was assessed as being most suitable for the Special Skills Dog Guide (SSD) program. This is the most intensive of the three programs, and his training lasted almost 10 rigourous months with a professional trainer.

Near the end of his training Dreyfus was introduced to Thea, a grandmother from the Edmonton area, who had been waiting for a service dog for more than 6 years (almost 5 years with another organization, and almost 2 years with the Dog Guides Foundation). When Dreyfus and Thea met, they bonded immediately.

On Thursday November 1st, 2007, Dreyfus and Thea graduated from the Special Skills Dog Guide program at the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides Centre.


Kate Neff, Manager of Marketing and Community Relations at Your Neighbourhood Credit Union, attended the graduation and presented a cheque for $14,897.83 to the Dog Guides Foundation to offset the cost of fostering and training Dreyfus, and to cover Thea's travel expenses.

Given the distance from her home, Thea didn't have any family or friends with her at the graduation, but was so grateful that two YNCU staff members were there to share this momentous occasion in her life.

Thea has a neurological condition that causes brain and facial tumours; she is partially blind, partially deaf, and has little strength on her right side. She walks with the aid of a wheeled walker.

Thea said her world had become very small, because it was difficult for her to go out - she was afraid she wouldn't be able to cross the street in time, and because of her vision, she can't trust what her eyes show her.

She cried and said, "Dreyfus and your support have changed my life. With Dreyfus, I'm not afraid. I just don't know what to say except thank you, and that's not enough to let you know what this really means to me." She beamed and said he was the best dog in the graduating class of five, and that he was the best on their practice walks into stores, on escalators, and crossing the street. She was nervous but looking forward to the long plane trip home the next day; Dreyfus would be beside her for the whole trip, and not travelling in cargo.

Thea extends to our members, our staff and to the members of the public who supported our fundraising her most sincere thanks. The Dog Guides Foundation said "You can know that your sponsorship helps ensure that she will 'never be alone'."

Dreyfus is now happily working and supporting Thea in the Edmonton area.

Thank you!

Learn about Pina, our new Future Dog Guide