ESTEVAN - A guide dog has made a world of difference for Estevan resident Lyle Dukart.
Dukart’s new guide dog Quebec arrived last month, and Dukart has already noticed a big difference.
“There’s a lot more freedom,” said Dukart. “I can take off and go to places with him, and he keeps me out of trouble. There’s a lot more freedom and I’m a lot more capable of getting around.”
Once his vision reached a certain level, Dukart applied to be part of the guide dog program.
“They have a trainer that comes down … and interviews you and assesses your needs and so on and so forth,” he said. “So once you qualify through them … then you’re put on the list.”
When he was accepted and his name was put on a wait list in August 2019, there were more than 150 people to receive a canine.
Quebec and other guide dogs are trained until they are 2 1/2 years old, so he was ready for the job when he met Dukart.
Businesses around the community have been very accepting of Quebec during Dukart’s visits.
“They’re all pretty polite and very courteous to both Quebec and myself,” said Dukart.
It took some time for Dukart and Quebec to get used to each other, but now they’re working much better than a month ago.
Bob Abernethy with the Estevan Lions Club noted they weren’t involved with this project, but they have been strong supporters with CNIB and the guide dog program. A golf tournament was held by the Estevan Lions last month, and proceeds were split between the CNIB and Lions Club International Guide Dogs.
