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CNIB Guide Dogs bilingual logo : An illustration of a guide dog with a handle and harness. Text: CNIB Guide Dogs.

CNIB Guide Dogs Celebrates Class of 2025

Yesterday, 35 new partnerships, including 22 guide dogs, seven buddy dogs, two ambassador dogs, and four brood dogs, formally graduated as part of the CNIB Guide Dogs Class of 2025. 

Local celebrations were held in communities throughout Canada. For many graduates, the events marked the end of months of anticipation and training and the beginning of a new life-changing journey with their guide dog, buddy dog, or ambassador dog. 

Watch the ceremony and meet the proud graduates!

CNIB Guide Dogs raises and trains Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and crosses of the two breeds to become guide dogs exclusively for people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision. With its person-centric focus, the program offers training tailored to the needs of each partnership, and there is no cost to the individuals. 

Since launching in 2017 with just two puppies, CNIB Guide Dogs has graduated over 100 guide dog teams and 38 buddy dog teams, with the Class of 2025 being their biggest cohort to date. In a full-circle moment, the program celebrated another significant milestone with the graduation of three dogs (Makali, Ella and Hera) from the first-ever CNIB Guide Dogs bred litter, born in 2023! 

In addition to recognizing the achievements of the graduating class of 2025, local celebrations also recognized the amazing community that stands behind them – the many individuals who supported each dog along their journey, helping to make each incredible partnership possible.

The success of CNIB Guide Dogs and has always been a shared effort, made possible by many volunteers, donors and supporters. At the graduation event held at Hydro One in Toronto, CNIB and Hydro One announced a new three-year partnership to enhance safety training infrastructure at the CNIB Guide Dogs Canine Campus in Carleton Place, Ontario. The partnership will focus on three components of the training program – read the full announcement. 

On behalf of all of us at CNIB, congratulations to the class of 2025! To learn more about CNIB Guide Dogs, visit cnibguidedogs.ca

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