Future working dogs register with namesake Dr Bonnie Henry in Victoria – Victoria News

Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry met two familiar faces, guide dogs-in-training Bonnie and Henry, at the BC Ministry of Health office on Wednesday, April 20.

The two yellow Labradors had started training with British Columbia and Alberta Guide Dogs as puppies at the start of the COVID pandemic, so choosing their namesake was easy, says Mattias Lenz , responsible for raising puppies for British Columbia and Alberta Guide Dogs.

The siblings were placed with volunteer puppy raisers for seven and a half weeks. During this time, Henry came to visit Dr. Henry at the Ministry every few months.

“He used to be such an exuberant pup, and I thought he would never calm down,” Dr. Henry remarked of Henry the dog, adding that he’s become much calmer after his dog training. base. “He is part of our team. It’s been such a positive thing for us for those two years. I can’t believe he’s gone for advanced training now.

Bonnie and Henry begin the next stage of training on April 27 on their way to potentially becoming working dogs. After six months of advanced training, it will be determined whether each will be a registered guide dog, autism support dog, or PTSD support dog.

It takes two years and more than $35,000 to produce a certified dog, which is provided free to the recipient, according to BC and Alberta Guide Dogs. For these reasons, the organization relies heavily on public donations.

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