Mira Foundation
The Mira Foundation is a Canadian aid organization that trains dogs for the physically challenged.
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The Mira Foundation was founded in 1981 by Éric St-Pierre. He has now received various awards for his work. In Sainte-Madeleine, Québec , near Montréal, he breeds the new breed of dog Labernese - a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Bernese Mountain Dog . When the puppy is between 2 and 12 months old, the dogs live in a foster family to get used to people. The dogs are specially trained for the individual needs of their future owner for 18 to 24 months. Approx. 1000 dogs are provided free of charge for the needy, especially for visually impaired young people. The Mira Foundation is the only organization that makes dogs available to young people under the age of 15, from the age of eleven.
The main area of activity is Canada. But dogs have also been used in France and Mexico. The aim of this non-governmental organization is to enable people with physical handicaps to lead a more independent life.
As of April 2006, there will be a cookbook in French in Canada with the title Le festin de MIRA . 74 Canadian celebrities have helped raise funds for the Mira Foundation .
The Canadian actor Roy Dupuis took part in the Défi Vision car race for years , in which the blind steer and the sighted passengers give instructions. In 2006, a multi-day charity event with this car race, auction and other activities took place for the last time , from June 14th to 16th, but without Dupuis, as he was unable to work.