Three-month old Kai is an exuberant Black Labrador puppy, more concerned about playing, getting treats and staying close to "mom".

Kai would make a wonderful pet for a loving family, but she is destined for a different role in life. A very special role.

Someday, Kai may be someone's eyes or ears or she may help someone who has a physical or medical disability. If everything goes right, Kai will be a specially-trained guide dog helping a person with a disability do the things most of us take for granted. Things like going to work, shopping or just getting around.

Maxine Marz is Kai's foster parent. Marz is a diversity outreach officer with Emergency Management Ontario, a division of the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. She found out about the foster puppy program of the Lions Foundation of Canada during the development of Ontario government's Emergency Preparedness Guide for People with Disabilities/Special Needs. She knew right away that the foster puppy program was for her — personally and professionally.

"I love animals and I am proud to work for an organization that is leading the way in making Ontario accessible for people of all abilities", said Marz. "Guide dogs help people with disabilities live more independently. As Ontario's population ages, the number of people with disabilities will increase. There is already a shortage of dog guides. To me, being a foster puppy parent was a natural thing to do."

The Lions Foundation of Canada has three dog guide training programs to help for people with visual disabilities, hearing disabilities, and people with other medical or physical disabilities. The puppies come from the Foundation's own breeding program and from other generous breeders. Around eight weeks of age, puppies are placed in foster homes for approximately 12 to 18 months.

The foster family raises the pup and teaches it proper house manners and basic obedience skills. Social skills are taught by exposing the puppy to as many different situations, experiences and people as possible.

Born on November 20, 2008, Kai was just over seven weeks old when Marz brought her home. Kai goes everywhere with her — shopping, restaurants, movies and to work. That's all part of the socialization.

"I am helping to socialize the dog to a workplace environment and office," said Marz. "At the same time, my co-workers learn about these very special animals and get a better understanding of the workplace accommodation for people with disabilities."

Educating people about dog guides — especially puppies in training — is an important part of the experience. Not everyone understands the essential role dog guides play in the lives of people with disabilities. "It's against the law to deny access to a person with a dog guide", said Marz "Some people don't realize that includes dogs in training."

The list of people waiting for a dog guide is long. Typically 45 - 50 dogs graduate each year. That's a 60 per cent success rate. Forty per cent of the puppies don't make it as dog guides. At the end of the foster period, Kai will go back to the Lions Foundation for an assessment to see if she is suitable to be a dog guide. If so, she'll go on to the next training phase and get matched with a person with a disability.

Kai is actually Marz's second foster puppy. Last year, she fostered Rufus a Golden Doodle (Retriever/Poodle mix). The assessment showed that Rufus was a great dog — as a pet — not a dog guide. Not all the puppies go on to become dog guides. That's not because there is something wrong with them. Marz expresses it this way, "Not everyone who goes to Harvard graduates." Puppies that don't make it are adopted by loving families. In a nice twist of fate, one of Marz's colleagues at Emergency Management Ontario adopted Rufus.

The day will come when Marz will have to say good-bye to Kai. "It will be hard," she admits. "But knowing what a huge difference these dogs make in the lives of people with disabilities makes it all worthwhile. I am glad to have helped.

"And that's a good feeling."

Learn more Visit the website of the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides to find out more about dog guides and the foster puppy program. Find out how to keep your dog guide - or pet - safe and comfortable during an emergency. Read the Emergency Preparedness Guide for People with Disabilities/Special Needs.