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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, May 21, 2010 · 28 Living Oakville Beaver LIVING EDITOR: ANGELA BLACKBURN By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Phone: 905-337-5560 Fax: 905-337-5571 e-mail: ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com Oakville walks the walk for Dog Guides B oston is 18-year-old Andy Brooks black Labrador -- and he is more than the man's best friend. Boston is a lifeline. He is a dog guide. The pair have been together for a few years now and though Brooks is legally blind, it is primarily for epilepsy that Brooks has Boston. The young dog is dually trained as both a seeing eye dog as well as a seizure response dog. "If I have a seizure and I'm not conscience, Boston can use the phone to call for help," said Brooks, a graduate of White Oaks Secondary School. First Boston will bark for help or seek it out. If no one is home, he'll use a special phone apparatus to call 911. "We're like blood brothers," said Brooks in an interview with The Oakville Beaver as Boston lies patiently waiting with only an occasional whine and thump of his tail to signal his presence. That is his demeanor everywhere, according to Brooks, who notes his dog goes to school with him and to his coop placement at Munn's Public School. Brooks who aims to become an educational assistant, has picked a vocation that suits Boston. "He's always there. He sits down in class and he always pays attention," said Brooks. Apparently Boston also pays attention to girls, which suits his 18-yeardonate, visit www.purinawalkfordogguides.com. All donations collected go towards providing Dog Guides at no cost to Canadians with disabilities. This will be Brooks' second time participating in the walk. "It's a wonderful walk. People bring their dogs and it's a wonderful time, just walking around Oakville," said Brooks. Several years ago, Brooks, after meeting super cyclist Lance Armstrong, transformed himself from a couch potato to a cross-country rider in a matter of month. Then, he took part in the inaugural Sears National Kids Cancer Ride. The money raised from that endeavour was shared by Canada's 17 pediatric oncology hospitals --five of which Brooks had been treated in, as well as cancer research and summer camps. Brooks is the son of Bill and Janice Brooks. His sisters are Hannah, 20 and Greer, 16. Brooks was three years old when he was diagnosed with brian cancer. He had two surgeries to remove two tumours and then radiation. Currently in remission, the intractable epilepsy, which means it cannot be treated, and the tunnel vision Brooks has, are legacies from the cancer and treatments. Brooks describes the seizures he has as "micro seizures." "I don't think about them, I let them happen," he said -- and of course, he knows Boston is right there with him. ERIC RIEHL / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER BUDDY FOR LIFE: Oakville resident Andy Brooks and his dog guide Boston are preparing for the upcoming 25th anniversary of the Purina Walk for Dog Guides on Saturday, May 29 in Oakville. old master. "Whenever Boston sees a hot girl, he pulls me aside so I'll talk to her. I say hello and say, `This is Boston,' and they pay attention to Boston and not me," laughed Brooks. Boston far from ignores Brooks however. While the two have been together for a relatively short time, Boston is literally devoted to Brooks and Brooks knows who his friend is. "He's always going to protect you. In good times and bad, he's going to be there by your side," said Brooks. Dog guides cost approximately $20,000 and are trained by the Lions Foundation of Canada and then given to those with a vision, hearing or physical challenge. To help provide dog guides to all who need one, the 25th annual Purina Walk for Dog Guides is taking place in 200 communities across Canada, including Oakville. The local walk will be held Sunday, May 30. It begins at the Lions Foundation of Canada headquarters at 152 Wilson St. (Rebecca/Kerr streets) at 11 a.m.. Registration is at 10 a.m. There is no registration fee, the walk is open to everyone, with or without a dog. To register, find a walk location, or