GUIDE DOG USERS OF CANADA

WE SUPPORT BLIND PARTIALLY SIGHTED AND DEAFBLIND CANADIANS WHO CHOOSE A GUIDE DOG AS PRIMARILY MOBILITY AID. WE DO THIS BY PROVIDING PEER SUPPORT THROUGH OUR EMAIL LISTS AND IN PERSON OR VIRTUALLY AT OUR AGM AND CONFERENCE. OUR WEBSITE CONTAINS A WEALTH OF INFORMATION ABOUT GUIDE DOGS WHICH THE GENERAL PUBLIC CAN ACCESS TO FIND OUT WHAT TO DO AND WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN INTERACTING WITH A GUIDE DOG TEAM. OUR WELLNESS FUND CONTINUES TO OFFER GRANTS TO CANADIAN GUIDE DOG HANDLERS IN FINANCIAL NEED WHO FACE EXTRAORDINARY VETERINARY EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH THE CARE OF ILL OR INJURED GUIDE DOGS. OUR MARY SPICE FUND PROVIDES GRANTS TO CANADIAN GUIDE DOG HANDLERS IN FINANCIAL NEED TO ATTEND OUR IN-PERSON CONFERENCE BECAUSE OF THE COSTS INVOLVED. FINALLY WE ADVOCATE FOR EQUAL ACCESS TO BUSINESSES OR PUBLIC PLACES AND OTHER KEY ACCESS ISSUES FACED BY GUIDE DOG HANDLERS. WE HAVE CONTINUED TO OFFER REGULAR VIRTUAL CHAT GROUPS TO OUR MEMBERS IN ORDER TO HELP EASE ISOLATION AND TO SHARE EXPERIENCE AND BEST PRACTICE WITH RESPECT TO WORKING OUR DOGS WITHIN CHALLENGING CIRCUMSTANCES; CHALLENGES SUCH AS; DEALING WITH ACCESS BARRIERS; PROVIDING MEMBERS WITH INFORMATION AND SUPPORT REGARDING RESPONSES TO ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS AS THEY ARE RELEVANT TO GUIDE DOG HANDLERS.