Lions Foundation of Canada, with haedquarters in Oakville, was founded in 1983 by Lions Clubs across Canada. The vision was to provide Dog Guides, at no cost to Canadians with visual disabilities, helping them to achieve freedom and independence. The Lions Foundation began with the Canine Vision Canada Dog Guide program in 1985, ensuring its graduates would “never walk alone” again.

In 1988, the Foundation expanded with the Hearing Ear Dog Guide program, providing Dog Guides to Canadians who are deaf or hard-of hearing. This addition ensures new Dog Guide handlers would have a “link to the world of sound”.

In 1991, a third Dog Guide program, Special Skills Dog Guides, was added to extend Dog Guide capabilities to individuals with other physical or medical disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or injury due to accidents. These Dog Guides ensure their handlers “will never be alone”.

The Special Skills program recently expanded with the introduction of the Seizure Response Dog Guides. The Dog Guides are trained to assist people with epilepsy by responding to their seizures.

The Foundation’s newest program is Autism Assistance Dog Guides. These Dog Guides help provide safety, companionship and unconditional love for children 4-12 years of age who have autism. As well as providing comfort and consistency for both the child and their family, Autism Assistance Dog Guides provide calming relief for children in high anxiety situations, and reduces the stress commonly experienced in public places. Bonding with the Dog Guide helps both the child and their family gain increased independence and social interaction.

Each Dog Guide costs the Lions Foundation approximately $25,000, yet they are provided at no cost to Canadians with disabilities. This incredible gift of freedom and independence is made possible only through the dedicated support and generosity of several groups. From the foster families who raise the puppies, to the Lions Clubs, Lioness Clubs, Leo Clubs, individual and corporate donors who provide the financial backing, each pillar of support makes the Foundation’s work possible.

The future Dog Guides are bred at our facility in Breslau, Ontario and then placed with a foster family for approximately a year with specific and strict training guidelines before they are again tested for suitability in their role. Those individuals in need who are partnered with a dog are trained in Oakville at no cost. Over the past many years the Lions Club of Kitchener has contributed over $600.000.00 to this valuable program much coming from revenues of our Magic Show held in November of each year.