Calgary woman says her Ontario guide dog has changed her life

Puppies learning to become guide dogs at the Lions' Foundation of Canada Dog Guides School have some fun during a photo shoot. (Supplied/LFCDG)

Calgarian Nikita Smith was born with an eye disorder called Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis, a rare genetic eye disease that causes severe vision loss or blindness.

In 2022, she began a new journey to independence, when she was accepted into the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides school (LFCDG), in Oakville, Ont.

She took part in canine vision, one of the seven programs offered to Canadians at no cost, and that’s where she met Destiny.

“I felt an immediate connection and sense of partnership,” said Smith.

“Having a dog guide has given me more independence and confidence to navigate places I might have once avoided.”

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The programs vary in length but can last up to three weeks.

“Beyond the practical benefits, there’s a deep emotional bond that grows as we work together. Destiny has enriched my life in so many ways,” she said.

“She allows me to live my life on my own terms.”

Construction underway for new dog guide training school

The CEO of the LFCDG explains she is proud of what the dog guides training centre has accomplished in the last 40 years.

“We have bred, raised, trained and matched more than 3,200 dog guides who have made a tremendous difference in the lives of Canadians with disabilities,” said Beverly Crandell.

However, Crandell says they are limited by the size and design of the current school. Demand has also increased over the years, leading to long waitlists.

“The building’s layout presented challenges, particularly in navigating hallways used for critical training,” said Smith.

Construction is underway for a new 89,000-square-foot school, slated to open as early as spring 2026, but LFCDG is still trying to reach its $50-million target.

“A new training school with state-of-the-art resources has the potential to greatly improve accessibility, independence, and overall success for dog guide users,” said Smith.

Once the new school is open the foundation will be able to support more than 1,000 active teams a year.