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About Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides

When a dog’s potential is unleashed, so is a person’s.

What We Do

Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides empowers Canadians living with disabilities to navigate their world with confidence and independence, by providing a Dog Guide at no cost and supporting them in their journey together. Located in Oakville, Ontario with a breeding and training facility in Breslau (between Kitchener and Guelph), we are the only school to train Dog Guides in seven distinct programs. From breeding to rearing and training with a life-time of follow-up services, each Dog Guide is $35,000 to train and place. The Foundation relies on donations to provide these special matches and does not receive any government funding.

Mother with child tethered to her Autism Assistance Dog
Mother with child tethered to her Autism Assistance Dog

Our History

In the early 1980’s Lions Clubs across Canada sought to develop a national project to reflect their service to Canadians with visual impairments. The result was Lions Foundation of Canada and its founding program, Canine Vision Canada, established in 1985. Today, as Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, we train and match Dog Guides in 7 distinct programs: Canine Vision, Hearing, Service, Seizure Response, Autism Assistance, Diabetes Alert and Facility Support.

Our Mission

Empowering Canadians with disabilities to navigate their world with confidence and independence, by providing a Dog Guide at no cost and supporting them in their journey together.

Service Dog Guide with Female Client in Wheelchair

3,000 Dog Guide teams have graduated since 1985

Over 1,000 active Dog Guide teams being supported across the country

Largest school of its kind in Canada, offering 7 specialized training programs

Professional Accreditations

Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides operates under the highest standards. We are a founding member of the Canadian Association of Guide & Assistance Dog Schools and a fully accredited member of International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International.

Lions Foundation of Canada is recognized as a member of Imagine Canada’s Standards of Excellence program, a charitable organization that meets the highest standards for accountability and openness in its fundraising practices and policies.

One night everyone was sleeping when I had a seizure. Ross was sleeping too next to me, he alerted my parents by barking, he didn’t stop until I was okay. After my seizure Ross and I stayed awake hugging each other until my headache stopped and we both fell asleep.

One night everyone was sleeping when I had a seizure. Ross was sleeping too next to me, he alerted my parents by barking, he didn’t stop until I was okay. After my seizure Ross and I stayed awake hugging each other until my headache stopped and we both fell asleep.

Isabella & Ross

Sherwood Park, AB

I have lots more independence with Nikana because I’m not scared of dropping items outside of my house. Nikana and I triumph every day and he continues to impress me with her help! Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides has helped more than they ever will know. They have given people responsibilities, independence, and pure joy.

I have lots more independence with Nikana because I’m not scared of dropping items outside of my house. Nikana and I triumph every day and he continues to impress me with her help! Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides has helped more than they ever will know. They have given people responsibilities, independence, and pure joy.

Rick & Nikana

Nanaimo, BC