On October 1, 2019, Fabulous Fenwick Lions Bert Marissen & Jeff Pickup attended Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides facility in Oakville to see the Graduation of the Clubs first sponsored Autism Assistance Guide Dog “Thea”, Thea was partnered with the St-Pierre family of Guelph & would be Emilie, the daughters’ companion.
Usually, it is the recipient that attends the Oakville training school to train with their partnered Guide Dog but the Autism Assistance training is a 2-part process. In the first stage of training, the handler (usually the parent) stays with us at the Oakville training school for 10 days where they learn and bond with their new Autism Assistance Dog Guide. The second stage of training takes place a few weeks later when one of our instructors travels to the family home and completes the Dog Guide training with the child and family over a further week.
Top Photo: Father Chris, Lions Jeff Pickup & Bert Marissen, Mother Jennifer & of course Thea in front Bottom Photo: Emille with her Dog Guide Thea
