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Smithers merchant takes on new guide dog

Seighard Weitzel's previous companion Radar retires, Babs four-steps up to take over

Seighard Weitzel, owner of Outdoor essential and his guide dog Radar have been a common sight in Smithers for many years.

As Radar was due to retire, Weitzel has been working with BC and Alberta Guide Dogs (BCADG) on a replacement named Babs.

Rachel Nelson of BCAGD explained it takes about six months to a year to train a seeing-eye dog. When a client is in need of a service animal, they work together with the available animals looking for similar walking rates, personality, temperament, lifestyle, workload and, importantly, if they simply like each other.

Weitzel says Babs is a great match.

Although slightly smaller than his previous companions Buddy, Mulligan and the now-retired Radar, Babs ticked all the boxes right away.

This last Friday was the “Graduation Ceremony” with a final check-through from Colin Yu, a neutral certified trainer.



Thom Barker

About the Author: Thom Barker

After graduating with a geology degree from Carleton University and taking a detour through the high tech business, Thom started his journalism career as a fact-checker for a magazine in Ottawa in 2002.
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