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NEWS Journey described as calm, gentle and affectionate ® Continued from page 32 police. Mendelson says they have "free rein" to 'touch Journey. "She's the first Dog Guide who should have a sign that says, "Touch me." Mendelson said she worked with Journey ev- ery weekday, spending about one-1 % hours each day with her, among the eight-10 Dog Guides at one . time that she helps train. As far as Journey's at- tributes, Mendelson said, "We picked her specifically for her temperament - calm, gentle, affectionate, intuitive and a quick learn- er. "It's been a great learn- ing exrerience" for her, said Mev delson. "Hopeful- ly she'll be helping hun- dreds of people." She said Journey's fos- ter family "did an amazing job" with her. Bonnie Gagnon, who fostered Journey with her huobaasrd, wae at tha hand. off of Journey from the Lions Foundation to Hal- ton police. They hadn't seen each for a couple of months but when Journey saw Bonnie the normally docile dog jumped excitedly and swirled around Bonnie's feet "It's lovely to see her re- membering (me)." Bonnie said being a sup- port dog is a natural role for Journey. "It's so her personality. I guess all those nights snug- gling up with her paid off." Clark said Journey will have her own office and bed on police grounds and will go home at night with her civilian police handler. "I think every (police) victim services unit should have one," she said of a sup- port dog. Clark noted that in this area only Toronto, Brant- ford and Niagara police have one. It is not cheap to train a Dog. Cnide, Each one costs LIONS FOUNDATION PROGRAMS The Support Dog Guide is the newest and seventh program for the Lions Foundation. The other six are: Canine Vision Dog Guides - for people who are blind or visually impaired; Hearing Dog Guides - for people who are deaf or hard of hearing; Service Dog Guides - for people with a physical disability; Seizure Response Dog Guides - for people with epilepsy; Autism Assistance Dog Guides - for children (aged three-12) on the autism spectrum; Diabetic Alert Dog Guides - for people who have Type 1 diabetes with hypoglycemic unawareness. an average of $25,000 to train, but they are provid- ed free to gualifying Cana- dians. Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides re- ceives no government funding and relies solely on donations from individ- uals, corporations and fundraisers. : FP rd 3 : Po Nikki Wesley/Metroland Service dog Journey, the newest member of the Halton Regional Police Victim Services Unit. More than 2,700 Dog Guides of various abilities have been placed with peo- ple across Canada. Clark said $5,000 raised , by the Canadian Security _ Association at a golf tour- NTROL OF. THE CIRC RAYED OR REPR nament will be donated to the Lions Foundation. As for Journey's ongo- ing costs, like food and vet bills, they will be covered .by Halton police. Journey will be sworn '61 AInr 'Aepsuny | | uoidweyd umpeurD LONE ww ww 8l c in as an official member of Halton police on Aug. 19 at the Burlington Convention Centre! Visit www.dogguides- .com for more information about Dog Guides. LURE THE BIG TOP BOX OFFICE AAR) TIE