2025 Pup Crawl: Meet Three CNIB Guide Dog Pups + Q&A with Mary Crocker

The sixth annual CNIB Guide Dogs Pup Crawl is here – and it’s never been easier (or more fun!) to make a life-changing impact.

From April 16 to May 30, join us for this five-kilometre virtual movement challenge and help raise funds to support CNIB Guide Dogs. Whether you walk, roll, dance, or crawl your way to five kilometres, you’ll be helping raise and train the next generation of life-changing guide dogs.

Plus, thanks to a generous matching gift from longtime CNIB supporters Mary and John Crocker, every dollar you raise will be matched up to $50,000. That means your impact will go twice as far!

So, what makes these pups so special? We sat down with Mary Crocker to talk about the joy, independence, and confidence these dogs bring to their handlers – and why she and John continue to support the Pup Crawl year after year.

Special Q&A with Mary Crocker:

John and Mary Crocker, a couple with light skin, stand close together. John has his arm around Mary, who holds the leash of a black Labrador retriever puppy. Both wear Pup Crawl medals. Behind them are two posters – one says “Puppy to Partnership” and the other says “CNIB Guide Dogs Career Paths.” — Mary and John Crocker pose with CNIB guide dog puppy, Thunder, a male black Labrador retriever they named for this year’s Pup Crawl.

Q: What have you learned about CNIB Guide Dogs over the years?

A: One thing that really stands out is how many people are involved in a guide dog’s journey. It’s a true team effort – puppy raisers, trainers, donors, volunteers, and CNIB’s incredible staff. Everyone plays a part in transforming a tiny pup into a confident, well-trained guide dog.

We have also witnessed the different personalities of our sponsored puppies. To name just a few: there was Queenie, the cuddly dog; Amber, the sweet one; Sparkie, the extremely intelligent one; and Misty, the feisty one!

Q: What’s something surprising people might not know about guide dog training?

A: Guide dogs can only eat dog food – not human food! It’s important that they stay focused and aren’t tempted when they’re working around restaurants, grocery stores, or kitchen tables.

And something I found really fascinating: each dog is matched with a person based on their unique personality. It’s not one-size-fits-all. It’s about finding the perfect fit, so the partnership thrives.

Q: Why do you and John continue to support Pup Crawl every year?

A: We continue to support Pup Crawl because we have witnessed how a guide dog changes the life of a person with sight loss. It is rewarding to see the smile of a child meeting a buddy dog – and the joy and independence a guide dog gives to a person who is blind, so that he or she can live a normal life.

We also are impressed that any Canadian resident over the age of 16, regardless of financial circumstances, is eligible to apply for a guide dog since CNIB donations cover the cost of food and veterinarian care.

And Pup Crawl is open to everyone! The only requirement is five kilometres of movement, whether that’s walking, running, yoga, chair exercises, or even crawling.

We believe every guide dog team is life changing. These dogs provide joy, safety, and independence. That’s why we’re proud to support this cause.

Meet Three of the Pups You’re Supporting!

When you sign up for Pup Crawl, you’re helping incredible dogs in training like:

Thunder, a black Labrador retriever, sits on carpet and looks up at the camera with a serious expression on his face. He’s wearing the black and yellow Pup Crawl medal around his neck. — Thunder, a CNIB guide dog puppy in training, wears his 2025 Pup Crawl medal.

Name: Thunder
Age: 4 months
Breed: Black Labrador retriever
Fun Fact: Thunder is really starting to shine in his training! He’s making great progress with his obedience cues – nailing commands like “sit,” “come,” “touch,” “on your bed,” and “down” like a pro.

Even more impressive? He’s able to stay focused and keep up the good work, even with other dogs and people around. Thunder’s growing confidence and focus are clear signs he’s on the right track to becoming an incredible guide dog one day!

Steve, a black Labrador golden retriever cross, sits outside on the snow. He looks at the camera with a serious expression on his face, while wearing a black and yellow CNIB “Future Guide Dog” vest. — Steve, a future CNIB guide dog, poses in the snow.

Name: Steve
Age: 21 months
Breed: Black Labrador golden retriever cross
Fun Fact: Steve has made incredible progress over the past few months, and now he’s reached an exciting milestone: the final phase of his guide dog training!

In this last stage, Steve is paired with a guide dog mobility instructor to put his skills to the test. After building trust with his new instructor, Steve will take on a series of blindfold walks, leading his instructor safely and confidently while they’re blindfolded. He’ll gradually take on the full responsibility of guide work with decreasing support and input from his instructor.

It’s a big test of everything he’s learned so far – and an important step toward becoming a life-changing partner in mobility for a person who is blind.

Caleb, a smiling boy with light skin, holds his white cane and crouches down next to Amber, a yellow Labrador retriever. Amber, lying down, looks at the camera with a serious expression while wearing her black and yellow CNIB Buddy Dog vest. They pose on a quiet paved road with green trees behind them. — Caleb, a CNIB youth participant, poses with his CNIB buddy dog, Amber.

Name: Amber
Age: 29 months
Breed: Yellow Labrador retriever
Fun Fact: Amber is living her best life as a working buddy dog! CNIB buddy dogs are matched with a child or youth between the ages of seven and 16 who is living with sight loss. Amber’s best friend and buddy is a boy named Caleb!

As a well-trained family pet, Amber is helping Caleb learn what it’s like to care for a dog – from feeding and grooming to daily walks. It’s a beautiful friendship that builds confidence, responsibility, and in some cases, helps make it easier to transition into a guide dog partnership in the future.

Sign Up for Pup Crawl Today!

Whether you walk, run, do yoga, or roll around with your dog in the backyard, every kilometre you move brings a guide dog closer to changing someone’s life. And thanks to Mary and John’s matching gift, every dollar you raise will go twice as far.

So, lace up your shoes, call up a friend, and join the movement. Let’s Pup Crawl!

If you’d like to support CNIB Guide Dogs by participating in the 2025 Pup Crawl, please register at cnib.ca/pupcrawl. Every dollar raised between April 16 and May 30th will be matched, dollar for dollar, up to $50,000 by Mary and John!

More Blogs