Hearing ear dog is her link to the world of sound

It can be difficult for parents to stand back and let their child fend for themselves, especially when their child has a disability.  Toronto resident, Caroline Cook, has been hard of hearing since birth and felt dependent on her family to alert her to imminent danger.  Her mother, Kathleen, was concerned when her sixteen year old daughter was on her own.  Anxieties struck when Caroline would go shopping or prepare meals in the kitchen.  Kathleen feared her daughter would not hear a car approaching or fire alarm sounding.  
“Caroline has to take care of herself in a world that isn’t built for people with disabilities,” says Kathleen.  “It’s impossible to be with her all the time so she has to learn to navigate herself through difficult situations.”  In September of 2006 Caroline took a step towards independence with Swiss, an Australian Sheppard cross, by her side.   Swiss is a Hearing Ear Dog Guide provided by the Lions Foundation of Canada in Oakville.  
These dogs are trained to provide assistance to people by responding to sounds unique to a client’s home such as a baby’s cry or a telephone ringing and lead the client to the source.  Recognized by their orange harness, these Dog Guides are provided to Canadians at no cost.
“I can sleep easy now. I’m comfortable leaving her to manage on her own because Caroline has been trained to handle Swiss,” says Kathleen.  Swiss’ responsibilities often include alerting Caroline to someone calling her name.  
Caroline still faces challenges on a day to day basis.  “Understanding what people are saying is a constant challenge.  Swiss is intelligent but she isn’t a translator,” says Caroline.  “I try to make the best out of every situation and I’m not afraid to ask for help.”
Swiss is not just a working dog; she’s a friend.  “Swiss likes to stay active which fits my lifestyle very well,” says Caroline, “We have attended the Purina Walk for Dog Guides for the past two years and plan on participating again this year.”  
Kathleen offers advice for parents in similar situations.  She believes first and foremost to have a positive attitude.  Living with a disability is extra work so it’s important to let your child have down time to relax and just be a kid.  Kathleen is a huge supporter of Lions Foundation Dog Guides and she couldn’t be happier to have Swiss in her home.

Walkers support dog guides
Here’s a sample of Purina Walk for Dog Guides fund-raising events planned in the GTA.
Sunday, May 11 at 11 a.m.-– Toronto Doctors Lions Club & Friends of LFC at Toronto High Park-Bloor St. Entrance. Local contact is 905-842-2891, madpines2003@yahoo.ca
Sunday, May 25 at11 a.m. – Oakville Lions Club & Friends of Lions Foundation at 152 Wilson St. Local contact is 905-842-2891, gwallen@dogguides.com
Saturday, May 31 at 11 a.m.: -– Toronto Beaches Lions Club at Lions Club – Ashbridges Bay. Local contact 416-693-5466, sandy.gauthier@nbc.ca
Sunday, June 1 at  9 a.m. -– Newmarket Lions Club at Fairy Lake Park. Local contact 905-478-2742, bemartell@distributel.net
Sunday, June 1 at 10 a.m.: Mississauga Lions Clubs at Meadowvale Community Centre Lake Aquitaine Park. Local contact 800-768-3030, dakosa@rogers.com
For more information or to register for a walk visit www.purinawalkfordogguides.com.