Annual Report 2010-2011 Message from the Chairperson and Executive Director
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Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides Annual Report 2010-2011 Message from the Chairperson and Executive Director The amount of support that Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides has received from donors, volunteers, staff, and Dog Guide handlers has been steadily growing. When asked about their involvement, people always reference the connection they feel to positively changing the course of someone’s life. With a record number of graduating teams this year, Dog Guides are becoming more prominent fixtures in the lives of Canadians from coast-to-coast. The influx and success of these teams has generated positive feedback for all five programs. Our clients tell us everyday how important their Dog Guides are to them and our annual comprehensive client survey shows that they are extremely satisfied with the entire experience; from training at the Oakville school to transitioning into daily routines at home. Clients and their Dog Guides are an inspiration to our donors and motivate all those involved with the Foundation. The generosity and hard work of individual donors, Lions and Lioness Clubs, companies, service clubs and foundations fuels the growing need for Dog Guides and we are extremely grateful for their support. Our Board of Directors sets our course and has been instrumental in ensuring that we continue to grow and serve more Canadians with disabilities. Special thanks and congratulations on a great year of success to everyone who helped make it possible. This annual report highlights the successful efforts of everyone involved with providing Dog Guides. Sandy Turney Bob Robinson Executive Director Chairperson Providing Increased Safety, Mobility and Independence Since 1983 more than 1,700 Canadians aged 4 to 90 have successfully graduated with a Dog Guide from Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. The impact that these Dog Guides have had on their handlers lives ranges from simplifying everyday tasks such as picking up a dropped item to getting help when it is needed most. Trained in five distinct programs, Dog Guides address a wide range of disabilities and provide increased safety, mobility and independence to Canadians. From start to finish, the process of placing each Dog Guide costs approximately $20,000. Despite not receiving any government funding, Lions Foundation of Canada is able to provide each Dog Guide at no cost to qualified applicants due to the generosity of individuals, companies, and service clubs across the country. With the number of graduates increasing annually, Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides’ success is rooted in the tried and true training programs in place. Dog Guides are bred through the in-house breeding program and are cared for by foster families during the first year of their lives. They then return to the Foundation and spend four to six months training one-on-one with a trainer before being paired with their new handler. 2 Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guide Programs Canine Vision Dog Guides assist people who are blind or visually impaired. “My Dog Guide Nicco takes the stress of getting from point a to point b away. Something as simple as crossing an intersection has become easy again. I never have to worry because I know I will get to the other side safely.” -CVC Graduate Mike and his Dog Guide, Nicco Hearing Ear Dog Guides assist people who are deaf or hard of hearing. “My Hearing Ear Dog Guide Galen gives me peace of mind because I know he will hear what I miss.” -HED Graduate Shelley and her Dog Guide, Galen Special Skills Dog Guides assist people with a medical or physical disability. “My wife used to help me get dressed but with Orca around I don’t have to rely on her as much to help me with tasks like that anymore.” -SSD Graduate Nigel and his Dog Guide, Orca Seizure Response Dog Guides assist people with epilepsy. “I now live independently in my own house with my son, which is something that I couldn’t do before I had Marley.” -SRD Graduate Shaylene and her Dog Guide, Marley Autism Assistance Dog Guides assist children aged 4-12 with autism. “We are now able to go out together as a family rather than having one parent stay at home with Matthew. With Cash, we are confident that Matthew is more safe and secure when out in public places.” -Lisa, mother of AAD Graduate Matthew and his Dog Guide, Cash 3 Purina® Walk for Dog Guides The Purina® Walk for Dog Guides has been Lions Foundation of Canada’s largest annual fundraiser since its debut in 1985. The volunteer organizers and committees who coordinate Walks in their communities have made this event the largest of its kind in Canada. With the generous support of sponsors, 100 per cent of the funds raised go towards providing the gift of mobility, safety and independence to Canadians at no cost. Special thanks to title and major sponsor Nestlé Purina® PetCare; they have been supporters of the Walk since its inception. Sincere thanks to our dedicated volunteers, Lion, Lioness and Leo Clubs, participants and donors for their commitment to making the Purina® Walk for Dog Guides a growing success. Included in the “With our Thanks” section of this report is a full list of this year’s participating communities. 4 The Foundation of Success Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides values each volunteer and the time that they invest to help those who can benefit from a Dog Guide. The selfless dedication of volunteers is essential to providing Dog Guides. This year, volunteers gave more than 4000 hours to help with various tasks such as cuddling dogs in training, grooming, general maintenance, administrative assistance and event support. This is in addition to the countless hours that foster families devote to helping raise future Dog Guides and our Purina® Walk for Dog Guides organizers spend making our Walks a success. Volunteers play a vital role in the everyday operation of the Foundation and for that we are truly grateful. There are many ways that volunteers help on a daily basis: • Organizing a Purina® Walk for Dog Guides • Guest speaking and public awareness • Fostering a future Dog Guide presentations • Helping with the care of our dogs in training • Assisting with administrative duties • Helping with fundraising auctions and events • Maintenance and landscaping Partners in Success More than 200 foster families participate in the Foster Puppy program each year, dedicating their time to raise future Dog Guides for the first year of their lives. Foster families are the first step in the Dog Guide training process and are responsible for house training, obedience and the socialization of the puppy. After spending approximately 12 months with a foster family, each Dog Guide returns to the Lions Foundation’s training school to learn skills that will assist their future handler. Lions Foundation of Canada is indebted to all the foster families who open their hearts and homes to raise these remarkable puppies. “Someone fostered my Dog Guide, Starsky, and because of their selfless act I have greater independence. Thank you to all foster families, you help give someone like me greater freedom in my day-to-day life.” -Robert, SRD Graduate 5 Helping Make it Happen Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides celebrates one of its most successful years, raising more than $4.2 million and graduating a record 152 Dog Guide teams. Receiving no government funding, Lions Foundation of Canada has grown from a dream to an established and rapidly expanding charity that contributes in a very real way to the day-to-day lives of Canadians with disabilities. Each Dog Guide team costs approximately $20,000 to raise, train and place, yet they are provided at no cost to qualified applicants from coast to coast. From before a puppy is born until after a Dog Guide team graduates, people support the cause knowing they are helping to provide the gift of independence. “With the dedicated support of our donors, we were successfully able to help more people with disabilities this year than ever before. A donation, at any level, can matter and your support continues to inspire us and help us grow.” – Julie, Director of Development Lions Clubs Lions Foundation of Canada is a recognized project of Lions Clubs International. The Lions Foundation receives approximately 25 per cent of its support from generous Lions and Lioness Clubs across Canada. They contribute to all areas including the sponsorship program, events, fundraising campaigns, award programs and more. Dog Guide Sponsorship Companies, individuals, Lions and organizations • Canine Vision Canada $ 6,000 sponsor each Dog Guide team to help cover a • Hearing Ear Dog Guides $ 4,000 portion of the training cost. • Special Skills Dog Guides $10,000 • Seizure Response Dog Guides $10,000 • Autism Assistance Dog Guides $12,000 Corporate Support & Partnerships Corporations have many opportunities to support Dog Guides whether it is donating funds or services, sponsorships, choosing Dog Guides as their charity of choice, having employees volunteer or designating proceeds from their own special events. 6 Planned Giving A Dog Guide Legacy Leader is someone who has planned a gift through their will or insurance or has created a Dog Guide endowment fund. The far sighted planning of these donors insures that their financial support for the Foundation will last beyond their own lifetime. “I give annually to the Foundation and have included a bequest to Lions Foundation of Canada so that I can continue to fulfill my interest in helping those who are visually impaired.” – Donna, Legacy Leader Foundation Grants Several foundations and companies throughout Canada support Dog Guides with grants. The growing number of grants have provided the means to expand the Dog Guide programs and produce an increasing number of successful Dog Guide teams.