Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a blind, visually impaired or disabled individual pay to receive a dog?

Absolutely nothing! The services offered by the MIRA Foundation are free.

All individuals with a visual, physical or other handicap can request services from the MIRA Foundation. They will be invited to our Sainte-Madeleine facilities (near Montreal) where they will be subjected to an evaluation so they can be oriented towards the services they could benefit from.

What happens to the dogs which are not selected?

The dogs that are not selected are offered to the general public. The foster family which cared for the dog during its first year of life is given priority. If the family cannot adopt the dog, we then turn to our waiting list (about 5 years waiting time). A 1 000$ donation to the foundation is required to adopt one of these dogs. The dogs are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and have received a basic training. To be added to the waiting list, please contact us via info@mira.ca.

What happens with the retired dogs?

Usually, the individual who has received the dog gives it away to a member of his family or to a friend. When that is not possible, the dog returns to the MIRA Foundation and we contact the foster family which cared for the dog during its first year of life. If the family cannot or chooses not to adopt the dog, we then turn to our waiting list. Since only one or two retired dogs are returned to the foundation during the course of a year, it can take several years before obtaining one. The families sought to care for these dogs are families that can ensure that one person will be with the dog at all times. It is important to remember that these dogs are used to be with someone 24 hours a day. Being left alone several hours a day could be difficult for them. If you fit this profile, please contact us via info@mira.ca.

Does the MIRA Foundation adopt dogs from external sources?

We rarely take in dogs from external sources. The dog must be pure bred, must not be spayed or neutered, and must meet our excellence standards. From our experience, some lineage, while producing great domestic dogs, are not matches for our program. The first step is to send us the dog’s pedigree by fax at (450) 795-3789 or by email at info@mira.ca.

What is the origin of the name of the foundation?

MIRA has for origin the name of a female Labrador which was named Mirabelle. Mirabelle was one of the first 2 guide-dogs trained by Éric St-Pierre. It is common to give a nickname to dogs, he called her MIRA. Éric St-Pierre chose to name the foundation in honour of this dog. Only later did Mr. St-Pierre realize that MIRA is an imperative of the verb a nickname to dogs, he called her MIRA. Éric St-Pierre chose to name the foundation in honor of this dog. Only later did Mr. St-Pierre realize that MIRA is an imperative of the verb "look" in Spanish…

Which breeds are used by the foundation?

The dogs are Labrador, Bernese, Labernese, Golden Retriever, Golden Labrador and Poodle (standard). The 3 most commonly used breeds are Labrador, Bernese and Labernese.

Can the assistance-trained dog open doors?

The assistance-trained dog can open doors. However, the door handles must be levers. The dog opens these doors with its paws or with its teeth when a cloth is attached to the lever. The dog can also open doors in shopping centres, hospitals, and any building equipped with automatic doors (push buttons). Again, the dog can open these doors by using its paws or nose. The dog can open the refrigerator’s door if a cloth is attached to its handle.

What type of objects can the assistance-trained dog fetch for its owner?

The assistance-trained dog can bring the majority of the objects its owner requests: keys, utensils, walking aids (cane, etc.), bank card, glasses, containers, coins, clothes, gloves, boots, slippers, etc.

How many words can a guide-dog or an assistance-trained dog understand? Can you give some examples?

That can vary depending on the user. The dog first learns to respond to verbal commands (go out, come, stay, down, eat food, no, yes, good dog, etc.) and gestural commands. It can also learn specific words with regards to a school environment (class, cafeteria, library, etc.). If its owner takes the subway, the dog could learn "turnstile". The list can be lengthy. On average, a dog’s vocabulary could consist of more than 50 words used on a daily basis.