Eight Ottawa area families receiving new furry friends from CNIB Wednesday

On International Guide Dog Day, 20 Ontarians with sight loss will graduate with their new furry friend, as part of CNIB Guide Dogs' class of 2021.  

In total, 29 partnerships across Canada will be a part of this year's graduating class, including 16 dogs that were raised by CNIB's volunteer puppy raisers in Ottawa, Carleton Place, Perth, Stittsville, Napanee, Claremont, Kettleby, Markham, Scarborough, and Toronto.

Twenty guide dogs, seven buddy pooches, as well as two ambassador canines, are all part of this year's graduating class. Buddy dogs are partnered with a child who is living with sight loss. The CNIB says this opportunity helps to make it easier for the child to transition to a guide dog partnership in the future. 

An ambassador dog is partnered with a staff member to promote CNIB Guide Dogs at community events and raise awareness about the role of guide dogs.

Ontario's guide dog graduates include: 

• Christine Benoit & Edie, guide dog – Nepean 
• Sarah Besseau & Jennie, guide dog – Ottawa
• Ethan Cook & Pepper, guide dog – Embrun
• Kathleen Forestell & Lily, guide dog – Ottawa 
• Dean Pucsek & Myra, guide dog – Ottawa 
• Richard St. Martin & Sherman, guide dog – Pembroke
• Ollie Acosta-Pickering & Hope, buddy dog – Ottawa
• Connor Norris & June, buddy dog – Ottawa

The CNIB Guide Dogs Canine Campus, a 158-acre rural property in Carleton Place, is the national training facility for guide dogs, buddy dogs, and ambassador dogs, as well as the home of future guide dogs.

The graduation ceremony is expected to take place via Zoom at 2 p.m. Wednesday.