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Guide dogs descend on Vancouver for International Guide Dog Day
Published 11:02 PDT, Tue April 25, 2023
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International Guide Dog Day on Wednesday, April 26, will be celebrated globally to acknowledge the remarkable contributions of guide dogs in enhancing the lives of individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
BC & Alberta Guide Dogs, an accredited member of the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF), will be participating in the celebrations.
"Guide dogs provide safety, access, and inclusion for the people they serve," said Bill Thornton, chair of IGDF and chief executive officer of BC & Alberta Guide Dogs. "On International Guide Dog Day, we recognize their remarkable contributions and the empathy, skill, and dedication of the instructors and volunteers who support these amazing dogs."
The COVID-19 pandemic affected Guide and Service Dog training programs worldwide, creating significant challenges. BC & Alberta Guide Dogs, along with other organizations, faced a slowdown in training programs. As a result, the need for guide dogs has become more urgent than ever before.
"Our organization is committed to providing professionally trained guide dogs to those who need them," said Thornton. "We believe that every person deserves the opportunity to live independently and with dignity, and our guide dogs help make that possible."