Be a part of the next phase of LFCDG’s history by participating in The Difference campaign to build a new national Dog Guide training school.
Help build Canada’s first-ever purpose-built Dog Guides training school
Be part of The Difference Campaign, a transformative $50 million initiative to create a state-of-the-art 89,000 square foot national training school in Oakville, Ontario. This fully accessible, world-class facility will allow us to train and match more life-changing Dog Guides with Canadians from coast to coast, at no cost to them.
With $41.5 million already raised, we’re close to reaching our goal. Join us in building every brick, every room, every future.
The next 40 years will be our best 40 years!
Building a state-of-the-art, fully accessible training school is a big undertaking. It takes time, funding, and a whole lot of attention to detail. With the incredible support of Turner Construction, we’re bringing this vision to life.
Watch this time-lapse video to see how it started and how far we’ve come. Follow our journey as we continue building The Difference.
We are proud to be working with Turner Construction Company, the builder behind our new purpose-built Dog Guides training school. As the team constructing this state-of-the-art, fully accessible facility, Turner is helping make The Difference Campaign a reality.
Their expertise and attention to detail is bringing to life a space designed with our clients in mind, ensuring every visit is welcoming, inclusive, and barrier-free.
Turner Construction’s support goes beyond the build. They’ve also chosen to foster and name one of our future Dog Guide puppies, Turner, showing their deep commitment to our mission.
Together, we are building a new training school and a future where more Canadians can experience the life-changing impact of a Dog Guide.
“Dog Guides offers such a great opportunity for people like me. Having Pat changed my world. He’s my best friend, my helper, and my wingman when I meet new people. I can’t imagine my life without him.
The new training school means more people will be able to access the fully accessible facility and benefit from a Dog Guide, just like I have, forming great partnerships along the way.
We had to be away from home for three weeks when I was first matched with my Dog Guide. People from my class were in rooms all over the building. The new facility will keep classes together, which I’m excited for!
The new rooms and training areas look amazing. It will be great for everyone to stay and work there. Pat and I can’t wait to visit the new training school when it’s done! Thank you, Dog Guides, for changing my life.” — Kevin & Pat, Service team
“Training at the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides school in Oakville was an unforgettable experience. From the moment I arrived, I felt supported by the trainers, dogs, and the shared goal of helping people like me gain independence. It was a space where I could grow alongside my new companion.
With that being said, I believe relocating to a new training school will significantly enhance the training experience for future clients. At the Oakville training school, we had to complete some exercises, like obstacle courses, in the hallways, which limited their effectiveness. Accessibility was also a concern. The elevator was unreliable, required a key, and was difficult for individuals in wheelchairs to use.
A modern, spacious, and accessible training school would provide a more comfortable environment. With updated resources and a better layout, future teams will be set up for greater success.” — Nikita & Destiny, Canine Vision team
For our clients, there will be 35 large bedrooms that will be fully accessible with space and furnishings to allow our clients and dogs to bond and relax in the privacy of their room.
Dedicated training areas and classrooms for each of the seven Dog Guides programs will provide a more conducive learning environment that has spaces dedicated to their training.
Larger and improved kennel spaces will provide indoor and outdoor spaces to learn, play, and relax. These spaces will increase their health and well-being to set them up for success in their training.
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