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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.

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&& 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

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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.