Synopsis
Join blind musician Colin and his guide dog Powell, as they show us their city of Edmonton, while answering Edmontonians’ questions about all aspects of guide dogs. Through interviews with several guide and service dog handlers, trainers and advocates, questions about guide dogs, and in particular guide dogs in Edmonton, are answered throughout the 10 episodes, moving chronologically through a guide dog’s life, from puppy to retirement. We are first introduced to Colin and Powell, our Host Guide Dog Team of Edmonton, as they answer some basic questions regarding guide dogs. From there, we talk to puppy raisers about what it’s like raising and training a future guide dog, and how hard it is to say goodbye. Moving on to training schools, we discover how these super smart dogs get trained to guide, and how they are matched to a visually impaired person. All guide dogs are service dogs, but not all service dogs are guide dogs, and we find out the differences and similarities, and meet two of Edmonton’s service dog teams. Then it’s time for lessons in etiquette and advocacy: Colin and Powell and friends teach us what (and what not) to do if you see a guide dog team around Edmonton, where guide dog teams are allowed, and what a handler can do if they are denied service. Edmonton’s guide dogs have important jobs and lots of play time. But, what do they eat, where do they sleep, and how does someone who can’t see pick up their poop? How does a guide dog know when to cross the street? How does one travel with a guide dog? Find out these answers and more. Then, our Edmonton guide and service dog handlers talk about how their lives have improved with their four-legged helpers and best friends, and why they would never trade them for robots. In a heartfelt episode, handlers of Edmonton discuss losing their faithful companions. What is it like anticipating and going through the loss of such a close companion? Finally, we reflect back and see through the eyes of some of our Edmontonian Volunteers, what they thought of this series, their favorite moments, what they learned, what they laughed at, and what they felt.