It has been an over three year process for Jodi Laycock of Luseland and her dog Shadow to officially become graduates of the CNIB Guide Dogs Class of 2022. Laycock notes there were some delays because of the pandemic, but the CNIB program is getting back on track. She explains that the dogs train for two years and then the team training begins with the handlers and their dogs.

Laycock hasn’t always been legally blind, so she says having Shadow now, gives her back some of that independence. The CNIB says guide dogs are among the most highly trained dogs in the world, and being part of a guide dog team provides mobility, safety and confidence for the handlers. She and her guide dog Shadow are graduating today which is International Guide Dog Day.

Laycock also considers Shadow her therapy dog. She says, when you lose your sight, it’s a huge change with noises coming from different directions, so it can be really scary when you’re out and Shadow helps to keep her calm. Laycock says that Shadow has changed her life.

She suggests for anyone on the fence about whether to donate to the CNIB, your time and your funds really do change people’s lives.