SASKATOON --
Closed borders and travel restrictions are putting pressure on Canada’s guide dog supply, according to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB).
CNIB said it’s facing a guide dog shortage. The charity launched its guide dog program in 2017 to help blind or partially sighted Canadians live a more independent life.
Diane Bergeron, president of CNIB, said the organization has seen a 375 per cent increase in applicants to its guide dog program since the pandemic began.
“We’ve had an increase in demand and a decrease in supply,” Bergeron told CTV News.
CNIB relies on specialized guide dog training in the U.S and receives the puppies from a breeder in Australia.