Carly Griggs remembers the moment everything changed.

It was 2017, and she had just returned home to Victoria from Oakville, Ont. after three intensive weeks of training with her first guide dog, a small, fast standard poodle named Jupiter, who was trained to help her with her vision loss.

香蕉视频直播淎ll of a sudden, I felt free,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淚 could just go out and do whatever I want, whenever I wanted.香蕉视频直播�

It marked the beginning of a journey that香蕉视频直播檚 brought independence, confidence and connection 香蕉视频直播� all delivered on four paws.

Since that day, Carly has had three guide dogs from the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides: Jupiter, Clifford, and now Kobe, her current partner for nearly three years.

Living with just four per cent of her vision, Carly was initially hesitant to even use a white cane.

香蕉视频直播淚 didn香蕉视频直播檛 want anyone to know I couldn香蕉视频直播檛 see,香蕉视频直播� she said.

But after tripping off curbs, bumping into people, and nearly spilling her ever-present cup of tea one too many times, she decided it was time for a change.

香蕉视频直播淚 knew I didn香蕉视频直播檛 want to be a cane user forever,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淪o I became a good cane user so that I could apply for a guide dog.香蕉视频直播�

That decision led her to the Lions Foundation, the only program in Canada training standard poodles 香蕉视频直播� an essential detail for Carly, who has allergies and works as a registered massage therapist with clients sensitive to other dog breeds.

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Each of her dogs has come with a unique personality. Jupiter had a habit of choosing his own route when Carly told him it was time to go to work, sometimes heading to Beacon Hill Park instead of her clinic.

香蕉视频直播淲ork for him, I guess,香蕉视频直播� she laughed.

Clifford, her second guide dog, shared that intelligent, slightly cheeky streak. But both Jupiter and Clifford had to retire early after being attacked by other dogs 香蕉视频直播� something Carly says is an unfortunate but not uncommon risk for working guide dogs.

Now, with Kobe by her side, she香蕉视频直播檚 found a steadiness that makes every day easier.

香蕉视频直播淲e kind of laugh 香蕉视频直播� his nickname is Slow-be,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淏ut he香蕉视频直播檚 just even-keeled. He hasn香蕉视频直播檛 let anything shake him, even after two attacks and a near miss.香蕉视频直播�

That resilience matters in a city like Victoria, where off-leash dogs are common.

香蕉视频直播淗e just doesn香蕉视频直播檛 care,香蕉视频直播� Carly said. 香蕉视频直播淭hat香蕉视频直播檚 going to make him successful. He lets things roll off his back.香蕉视频直播�

Kobe香蕉视频直播檚 calm demeanour and problem-solving nature have allowed Carly to move through the world more freely. Whether navigating a closed sidewalk or a chaotic construction zone, he香蕉视频直播檚 unfazed.

香蕉视频直播淗e loves solving puzzles,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淗e香蕉视频直播檚 just a little bit more thinking about things 香蕉视频直播� a little more laid back.香蕉视频直播�

That confidence has reshaped Carly香蕉视频直播檚 life. She香蕉视频直播檚 active in her work, regularly out in the community, and now, she香蕉视频直播檚 looking forward to participating in this year香蕉视频直播檚 Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides, happening May 25 at Esquimalt Gorge Park and Pavilion.

The annual event raises funds to support the Lions Foundation香蕉视频直播檚 seven dog guide programs, which include services for people with vision loss, hearing loss, autism, epilepsy, diabetes, and other medical or physical disabilities. Each dog is provided at no cost to the person matched with them.

For Carly, the walk is more than a fundraiser 香蕉视频直播� it香蕉视频直播檚 a celebration of the independence and connection her guide dogs have given her, and a way to help others experience the same life-changing support.

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Each walk is locally organized and backed by Pet Valu stores across Canada. Since launching in 1985, the has raised more than $23 million, helping match over 3,000 Canadians with professionally trained service dogs.

This year香蕉视频直播檚 Victoria-area walk will follow a scenic route through Esquimalt Gorge Park, beginning at 10 a.m. Participants 香蕉视频直播� and their dogs 香蕉视频直播� are encouraged to register online or sign up in person the morning of. All proceeds go directly to the Lions Foundation香蕉视频直播檚 training programs.

Whether it was Jupiter香蕉视频直播檚 playful detours, Clifford香蕉视频直播檚 smarts, or Kobe香蕉视频直播檚 steady presence, each of Carly香蕉视频直播檚 dogs has given her more freedom, more confidence, and more connection with the world around her.

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