Jim & Barnum

Service Team | Whitby, ON

Proud parent (and grandparent) Jim from Whitby, Ontario, is confined to a wheelchair after battling with Multiple Sclerosis. Due to the progression of the disease he has lost more and more capabilities, effecting the muscles in his legs. Jim was matched with his Dog Guide Barnum and together they graduated from the Service Program.

Barnum is trained to help Jim with tasks that he is not able to complete due to his wheelchair. “Barnum opens and closes doors in my house, pushes automatic door buttons and fetches things I point to.  I am training him to fetch some named items for me, such as slippers and shoes,” remarks Jim, “I feel safer having Barnum do things for me and not only is it safer, but it is quicker and saves a lot of my energy.”

Your donations help fellow Canadians, like Jim, have their independence and increase their quality of life. According to Jim “Your donation contributes directly to making someone in their community more independent, and you can’t put a price on how valuable that is.”