Byron’s Dog Whisperer Donna Frezell may well be Byron’s very own dog whisperer. For 18 years, Donna has trained assistance dogs to help make life more manageable for people with various disabilities. While her business, Golden Opportunity Assistance Dogs (GOADogs), has evolved since 2006, Donna continues facilitating the independence of her clients. According to Donna, dogs can be trained to do almost anything a person with a disability requires, including mobility-related tasks like picking up dropped items, getting help, and retrieving medication. Dogs can also be trained to alert to blood glucose level changes, apply deep pressure to calm anxiety, interrupt unhelpful behaviours, or push lifeline alert buttons. The Grand Theatre’s renowned youth mentorship program, the High School Project (HSP) will celebrate its 26th anniversary with the Tony and Olivier award-winning Roald Dahl’s MATILDA the Musical (book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin). It will feature students on-stage and behind-the-scenes to take on roles such as stage management, props, wardrobe, scenic art, orchestra, sound, and entertainment marketing. The High School Project is open to any high school student from London and area who will be enrolled in high school in the fall of 2023, or participating in homeschooling. Ages generally range from 14 to 18. Visit www.grandtheatre.com/participate-high-school-project to learn more.www.grandtheatre.com/high-school-project Donna entered the service dog training world in her forties because she wanted to contribute more to the community. “I lived on a farm outside Byron and always loved animals,” Donna adds. “Growing up, I had several friends with disabilities. Some had service dogs, so it was right under my nose my entire life without realizing it.” After an apprenticeship learning to train dogs for seizure alert, narcolepsy, visual impairments, and wheelchair assistance, Donna received her Associate of Science Degree in Assistance Dog Education from Bergin University of Canine Studies in Santa Rosa, California. From 2006 to 2019, Donna ran a robust service dog training business in Byron that included in-house breeding and training her own golden retriever puppies for service. In 2015, Donna began teaching a full-day safety course – Pet CPR and First Aid – that she still offers today, and she recently added regular private pet training for all ages and dog breeds and occasional dog boarding and doggy daycare to her services. South Collegiate’s Emma Bishop, 2023 High School Project In 2019, Donna shifted her business focus to an owner-training model for financial reasons and because she saw a gap in the service dog industry. “For years people called wanting help training their own dog for service,” Donna explains. “I had to turn them down because I was too busy working with my own dogs, and until recently, there was no organization that would train outside dogs.” 350 Ridout S • (519) 601-3900 www.boldbeauty.ca The persistence of one mother who had called Donna years earlier seeking help is what convinced her to give the owner-training model a try. “This mother was still searching for help years later. I couldn’t ignore it.” Botox, Lip Filler, Dermal Filler, Laser Hair Removal, facials, hydrofacial, Indian head massage, microblading, permanent makeup, PRP, microneedling, Dermaplaning & more. Grand Theatre announces 2024 High School Project Face | Skin | Body Treatments Feel Great, Look Amazing Leading Skin Rejuvenation Clinic Enhance your natural beauty
Warm Hearts on the Coldest Night of the Year
TD Wortley Branch Manager Frances Distefano, and Manager Customer Experience Andressa Barros braved the cold Feb- ruary 24 and participated in Mission Service of London’s Coldest Night of the Year walk in support of local charities serving people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness. “As leaders of the TD Wortley Branch, it is a mission of ours to lead by example when it involves supporting our community. We have a lot to be thankful for, therefore, being visible and taking action to support fundraising initiatives that help those less fortunate is priority more than ever,” said Andressa.
Donna Frezell and Astra.
Frances Distefano and Andressa Barros
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Example of an assistance dog at work.
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Page 10 Byron Villager Page 10 Wortley Villager • April 2024
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