Carly Griggs remembers the moment everything changed.

It was 2017, and she had just returned home to Victoria from Oakville, Ont. after three intensive weeks of training with her first guide dog, a small, fast standard poodle named Jupiter, who was trained to help her with her vision loss.

鈥淎ll of a sudden, I felt free,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 could just go out and do whatever I want, whenever I wanted.鈥�

It marked the beginning of a journey that鈥檚 brought independence, confidence and connection 鈥� all delivered on four paws.

Since that day, Carly has had three guide dogs from the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides: Jupiter, Clifford, and now Kobe, her current partner for nearly three years.

Living with just four per cent of her vision, Carly was initially hesitant to even use a white cane.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 want anyone to know I couldn鈥檛 see,鈥� she said.

But after tripping off curbs, bumping into people, and nearly spilling her ever-present cup of tea one too many times, she decided it was time for a change.

鈥淚 knew I didn鈥檛 want to be a cane user forever,鈥� she said. 鈥淪o I became a good cane user so that I could apply for a guide dog.鈥�

That decision led her to the Lions Foundation, the only program in Canada training standard poodles 鈥� an essential detail for Carly, who has allergies and works as a registered massage therapist with clients sensitive to other dog breeds.

鈥淭hey鈥檝e got way better hair than I鈥檒l ever have,鈥� she joked. 鈥淏ut they鈥檙e also smart. Just a little bit mischievous, which I kind of love.鈥�

Each of her dogs has come with a unique personality. Jupiter had a habit of choosing his own route when Carly told him it was time to go to work, sometimes heading to Beacon Hill Park instead of her clinic.

鈥淲ork for him, I guess,鈥� she laughed.

Clifford, her second guide dog, shared that intelligent, slightly cheeky streak. But both Jupiter and Clifford had to retire early after being attacked by other dogs 鈥� something Carly says is an unfortunate but not uncommon risk for working guide dogs.

Now, with Kobe by her side, she鈥檚 found a steadiness that makes every day easier.

鈥淲e kind of laugh 鈥� his nickname is Slow-be,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut he鈥檚 just even-keeled. He hasn鈥檛 let anything shake him, even after two attacks and a near miss.鈥�

That resilience matters in a city like Victoria, where off-leash dogs are common.

鈥淗e just doesn鈥檛 care,鈥� Carly said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 going to make him successful. He lets things roll off his back.鈥�

Kobe鈥檚 calm demeanour and problem-solving nature have allowed Carly to move through the world more freely. Whether navigating a closed sidewalk or a chaotic construction zone, he鈥檚 unfazed.

鈥淗e loves solving puzzles,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 just a little bit more thinking about things 鈥� a little more laid back.鈥�

That confidence has reshaped Carly鈥檚 life. She鈥檚 active in her work, regularly out in the community, and now, she鈥檚 looking forward to participating in this year鈥檚 Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides, happening May 25 at Esquimalt Gorge Park and Pavilion.

The annual event raises funds to support the Lions Foundation鈥檚 seven dog guide programs, which include services for people with vision loss, hearing loss, autism, epilepsy, diabetes, and other medical or physical disabilities. Each dog is provided at no cost to the person matched with them.

For Carly, the walk is more than a fundraiser 鈥� it鈥檚 a celebration of the independence and connection her guide dogs have given her, and a way to help others experience the same life-changing support.

鈥淭here鈥檚 so much training, so much care that goes into these dogs,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd it鈥檚 all possible because people give.鈥�

Each walk is locally organized and backed by Pet Valu stores across Canada. Since launching in 1985, the has raised more than $23 million, helping match over 3,000 Canadians with professionally trained service dogs.

This year鈥檚 Victoria-area walk will follow a scenic route through Esquimalt Gorge Park, beginning at 10 a.m. Participants 鈥� and their dogs 鈥� are encouraged to register online or sign up in person the morning of. All proceeds go directly to the Lions Foundation鈥檚 training programs.

Whether it was Jupiter鈥檚 playful detours, Clifford鈥檚 smarts, or Kobe鈥檚 steady presence, each of Carly鈥檚 dogs has given her more freedom, more confidence, and more connection with the world around her.

鈥淚 can鈥檛 imagine my life without a guide dog,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e changed everything.鈥�