Winter 2025 Pupdate – Vol. 13

Read the latest on our pups’ journeys!

Hello Friend,

As a monthly supporter of our program, you’re receiving this inside look at the journeys of our prospective future guide dogs! Past Pupdates can be found at this link.

It’s our first Pupdate for 2025! Despite the stormy winter many of us have been experiencing across the country, our pups, Volunteer Puppy Raisers, and trainers remain hard at work.

Harsh winters can create additional obstacles for dogs in training: uncleared sidewalks can seem impossible to navigate, and extended frigid temperatures can risk delaying important training. Fortunately, our trainers have been able to rely on Indoor City at CNIB Canine Campus, giving our dogs a safe, warm space in which to train in lifelike city environments – all while Mother Nature does her worst outside!

Big News!

Please join us in welcoming Robert Gaunt, the new President of CNIB Guide Dogs. Robert joined the CNIB team 12 years ago, and he most recently held the role of President of CNIB SmartLife and Innovation. As a handler matched with a CNIB Guide dog, Mango, Robert knows first-hand how a guide dog changes everything for someone who is blind, Deafblind, or has low vision. With Mango by his side, Robert is leading CNIB Guide Dogs’ next phase as we continue to serve Canadians seeking or partnered with a guide dog.

Pictured: Mango as a puppy in 2022!

Diane Bergeron, former President of CNIB Guide Dogs, continues her work advocating for the rights of people who are blind or have low vision in Canada – and around the world – as CNIB’s new Head of International Partnerships, in addition to her pivotal role on global blindness issues as treasurer of the World Blind Union.

Friend, you make it possible for CNIB Guide Dogs to expand our program and serve even more Canadians who are blind or have low vision. We’re excited to have you by our side for this next phase!

In addition to a new President, we also have some new puppies we’d like you to meet. Keep reading to learn more about the latest additions to our program, as well as training updates on some of the dogs you’re supporting!

Training Update

Name: Stetson
Entered program: November 2024
Sex: Male
Breed: Labrador retriever

Meet Stetson, one of the newest recruits to our puppy program! Currently living in Calgary, AB with his Volunteer Puppy Raiser, Stetson has been familiarizing himself with his new surroundings, learning some basic training cues, and working on his relief routine.

Recently, Stetson was introduced to his yellow “Future CNIB Guide Dog” vest, pictured above. Stetson’s learning that wearing this vest means he’s at work – it’s also preparing him for the future, when he’ll be donning a harness as he advances in his training. He’s settling well in a variety of environments and shows good impulse control for a puppy his age. In such early stages of training, the CNIB Guide Dogs team is keeping things relaxed while he gains confidence. 

When he’s not learning new skills, Stetson loves cuddles and will gladly fall asleep in your arms if given the chance to do so. (And who could say no to that adorable face?) Overall, Stetson is off to a great start, and we look forward to seeing how he progresses!

Name: Dolly
Entered program: November 2024
Sex: Female
Breed: Labrador golden retriever cross

Dolly, also based in Calgary, is another recent addition to our program!

At five months old, Dolly is starting with the basics: socializing, settling into her surroundings, and learning basic training cues. Dolly engages well with her Volunteer Puppy Raiser in low-distraction environments, but she finds loose leash walking a challenge and tends to pull against the leash. At times, Dolly has also displayed a lack of confidence, so her trainers are taking things at a slower pace in quieter environments. By letting Dolly take in her surroundings, we’ll help build her confidence and ensure that her outings and socialization experiences are positive. We wish you all the best, Dolly!

Name: Winnifred
Entered program: February 2024
Sex: Female
Breed: Golden retriever

Winnipeg-based Winnifred, or “Winnie,” has continued making progress through the Puppy Development Program. She celebrated her first birthday at the end of December 2024, which was around the same time she experienced her first heat cycle. While Winnie was in heat, her trainer prioritized skills like settling around the home, house manners, and basic obedience cues, which allowed for extra downtime and rest. Winnie also received lots of attention and cuddles from her puppy raiser.

Winnie has also been working hard and has learned to calm herself when greeting new people. She used to get overexcited, especially around her fellow golden retrievers, but she now knows to keeps all four paws on the ground when meeting a new person! She’s shown some sensitivities with certain environments, but Winnie and her trainer are adjusting to ensure she can feel safe and supported when working in new spaces. With consistency, she’s showing potential to overcome these challenges. Good luck, Winnie!

Name: Angus
Entered program: April 2023
Sex: Male
Breed: Labrador golden retriever cross

Angus is excelling in his guide work! He’s tackled guide dog tasks like stopping at curbs, avoiding obstacles, taking public transit, navigating crowds and traffic, and safely riding escalators.

Angus loves the winter and was overjoyed at the first snow fall of the year. He loves to sniff, play with, and roll around in the snow. His trainer says he’s a very sweet, loving boy who always welcomes attention while working, resting, and of course, playing.  

His trainer is currently working on increasing his stamina. During some of their longer walks, Angus can start to lose steam, causing him to sit and take a break. But if he keeps up the excellent guide work, Angus will soon be ready for his final stage of training and will likely begin working with a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor (GDMI). Way to go, Angus!

Name: Jedda
Entered program: April 2023
Sex: Female
Breed: Labrador golden retriever cross

The ever-intelligent and considerate Jedda is now in the advanced stages of her training! She’s eager to please her trainer, shows great initiative, and is very obedient. She’s also very gentle and loves playing with kids. Although guide dog training is intensive work for both the dogs and trainers, Jedda’s trainer notes that she almost makes guiding skills look easy!

Jedda also has great muscle memory; she easily remembers the routes and tasks that she goes through with her trainer. Her stamina is amazing, as she occasionally enjoys taking the long way on her walks.

Whether she’s at home, in a mall, or at a restaurant, Jedda is well behaved and has minimal dog distraction. Her trainer has taken her to many different training environments from quiet to very busy areas. If Jedda hesitates when given a training cue, she and her trainer figure out a solution quickly.

Jedda has reached an important milestone in her journey towards becoming a guide dog: she recently began working with a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor! The GDMI will consolidate all Jedda’s prior learning with an emphasis on reducing any handler support, ensuring she is willing and capable of taking responsibility for the guiding role. We’re rooting for Jedda to continue to excel in her final stage of training!

Every month, your gift is empowering Canadians who are blind to live the lives they choose. We are an organization for Canadians and by Canadians, and we can’t thank you enough for your support! Thank you so very much for enabling CNIB Guide Dogs to raise, train, and match guide dogs with Canadians who are blind.

Warmly,