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Four-year-old golden retriever, Sherman,

HELMUT MICHLER is
spending every minute of his
retirement years with a
young, golden-haired
Californian.

By A.P. McCredie
News Reporter

And while companionship is
high on the list of things the two
share, the unconditional gift of
sight is their strongest bond.

Michler, a resident of Kiwanis
Lodge in West Vancouver, con-
tinues to take his seawall walks
thanks to his four-year-old com-
panion Sherman, a trained see-
ing-eye dog from San Rafael,
California.

“Usually when visually impaired
people move into a care facility,
they have to give up their dog,”
said Kiwanis Lodge director of
care Diane Wills. ‘‘But since
Helmut loves to walk down 22nd
Street to the seawall, we allowed
him to keep Sherman,”

Since the lodge staff do not
have the time to take residents for
long walks, Michler would be
confined to the lodge without his
golden retriever.

The duo also represents a first.

“We're the only residence in the
Lower Mainland, and maybe all
of B.C., that has a resident with a
seeing-eye dog,’’ said Wills.

Kiwanis Lodge took the gamble
of having a dog in a care facility
solely to allow Michler the in-
dependence he cherishes.

Spr

DA et

&& Michler would
be confined to the
lodge without his
golden retriever. 99

Prior to living in the lodge,
Michler was an avid sailor, conti-
nuing to sail even after his
diabetes began taking away his
sight.

Wills’ early concerns about
Sherman living in the lodge — he
sleeps and eats in Michler’s private
room — were unfounded, as the
even-tempered golden retriever
proved to be a perfect resident.

‘*The lodge is his home, and he
often makes himself at home by
laying his head in one of the resi-
dents’ laps for constant atten-
tion.” said Wills.

Sherman is a constant compa-

n to Michler, joining him for
daily tea and other activities in the
fodge.

The canine-human relationship
has also been a learning experience
for the 83 residents of the inter-
mediate care facility. When Sher-
man is in his harness, the residents
of the lodge know not to pet him.
When he is on his leash, however,

See Lodge page 39

PROPCTU AON SAAT ITN ee

FO SEPTEMBER 11/93.

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Helmut Michler’s constant companion

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KIWANIS LODGE resident Helmut Michler leashes up Sherman, his seeing-eye dog, for one of their

daily walks in West Vancouver.