Celebrating the Winners of Our 2025 Writing Contest
Posted by the Member Services Committee | April 2025
In celebration of International Guide Dog Day, the Member Services Committee of Guide Dog Users of Canada (GDUC) is thrilled to announce the winners of our 2025 Writing Contest!
We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who submitted stories. Each entry was a moving tribute to the remarkable relationships between guide dogs and their handlers. These stories not only celebrate the bond we share with our dogs but also highlight the vital role they play in our daily lives—providing safety, independence, and advocacy.
This year’s winning entries come from Ruth Vallis, Cathy Stuckenberg, and Ryan Hooey. Their stories are shared below and will also be featured across our social media channels.
🥇 Ruby’s Instinct: A Lifesaving Guide
By Ruth Vallis
One evening, we were striding purposefully down Bathurst Street, a very busy thoroughfare in Toronto. As we approached the corner of a usually quiet side street, Ruby suddenly stopped dead still just as a speeding car came flying around the corner, mounting the pavement before swerving back onto the road right beside us. Ruby’s alertness saved my life—but how did she know to anticipate that the car would mount the sidewalk?
One might suggest it was a lucky guess or something similar. However, on another occasion, we were crossing a major intersection, and I knew we had the right of way thanks to an audible signal. Again, as we were halfway across, Ruby suddenly stopped just as a car blew through the red light and sped past directly in front of us.
I believe even a person with sight might have been hit in either of these situations. Ruby’s alertness and ability to anticipate danger made her not only a miraculous guide but a true lifesaver.
🥇 Saved by Fee: A Guide Dog’s Amazing Instincts
By Cathy Stuckenberg
I have a story about my special guide dog, Fajita (Fee for short). Of course, all of our guide dogs are special.
One evening, we were out for our regular walk when Fee suddenly stopped dead. I wondered why she had stopped so abruptly. Normally, I would have stuck my foot out to check the path, but instead, I cautiously reached forward with my hand.
To my shock and surprise, I touched a sharp tool—likely a saw—sticking out at about waist height. This incident reminded me once again just how incredible and instinctive our guide dogs truly are. Without Fee’s warning, I could have been seriously injured. Of course, Fee received plenty of praise and treats for her life-saving work that evening. Moments like these make it clear that our guides are not just companions—they are our protectors and heroes.
🥇 Harness On, Hands Off: A Lesson in Love and Advocacy
By Ryan Hooey
Most guide dog handlers will tell you about the unforgettable moments: the phone call announcing their match, the day they met their new guide dog, and the bittersweet day their guide dog retired. My story is just a little bit different.
Don’t get me wrong—those dates are so important, and ones I will always remember too. But the story I want to share is about the day my daughter, Abby, finally understood what the harness really meant: hands off.
I was matched with my first guide dog, Joe, in November 2020. At the time, Abby was just a little over one year old, far too young to understand the importance of Joe’s job. To her, Joe was simply a new friend, and they spent endless hours playing—constantly fighting over whose toys belonged to whom. It seemed that Abby only wanted to play with Joe’s wet, slobbery dog toys, while Joe only wanted Abby’s stuffed animals. Trust me, the battles were real!
Each time the three of us went for a walk, I would gently explain to Abby that when Joe wore his harness, it meant, “No talk and no touch.” But in her eyes, he was still just her best buddy. Ironically, Abby became Joe’s loudest advocate, often shouting to anyone who would listen, “This is Joe, and he’s working!”—only to immediately run over and hug her furry best friend.
As a new handler, I stayed patient and kept repeating the same message: when Joe has his harness on, it means no touching and no talking. His job was to keep me, Abby, and himself safe while traveling.
Almost four years later, on a winter day as we were getting dressed to go for a walk to the grocery store, I was about to repeat the now-famous line when Abby beat me to it. She boldly declared, “This means no touch or no talk!” and then proceeded to explain it perfectly. She was so proud of herself—and I was smiling from ear to ear. Now, every time I put Joe’s harness on, Abby proudly reminds me (and anyone else who will listen) that when he is wearing it, it means no touch and no talk.
At her last birthday party, while running around with her friends, she stopped, came up to me, and asked if she could say hello to Joe—and if I could take off his harness first. Then, she carefully explained the meaning of the harness to all her friends.
I never knew how powerful Abby and Joe’s relationship would become, but it continues to grow stronger every day. Abby is my greatest advocate—and I know she’s an advocate for the entire guide dog world.
These stories are shining examples of the devotion, intelligence, and heart our guide dogs bring into our lives. They guide us safely through busy streets, shield us from danger, and even help the next generation understand the importance of accessibility and advocacy.
Let’s continue to share and celebrate the stories behind every harness—because each one is a testament to the incredible journeys we take with our guide dogs by our side.
Warm regards,
Your Member Services Committee
John Morris, Lisa Lawson, Yvon Clement, Louise Johnson & Dar Wournell
www.gduc.ca
