Our British Columbia Team
William S. Thornton, CEO & Co-Founder of British Columbia Guide Dog Services
Bill’s guide dog career began in 1977, when he joined the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association (U.K.). In March 1980, Bill graduated as an accredited Guide Dog Mobility Instructor.
In 1984 Bill founded Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind (Ottawa), where he served as President and CEO from 1984 to 1995.
Bill is a Charter Member of the International Guide Dog Federation, an 80-member global organization founded in 1988. He was elected to the Board of Directors in 1990, serving a total of 14 years. In 1992, Bill was appointed as an International Assessor for the International Guide Dog Federation, and has accredited schools in England, Ireland, Japan and Australia. He continues in this role as Chair of the International Guide Dog Federation's Accreditation Committee.
In 1996, Bill co-founded British Columbia Guide Dog Services, then launched Alberta Guide Dog Services as a division of BC Guide Dog Services in 2002. In partnership with BC Guide Dog Services, Bill has taken a leading role in the founding of Autism Support Dogs, working with autistic children aged 4 to 10.
In 2005, Bill, along with his good friend Paul Keymer from the Minnesota Guide Dog Breeding Centre, founded the International Guide Dog Federation’s Derek Freeman Scholarship, in recognition of Derek’s extraordinary contribution to the guide dog movement through guide dog breeding and puppy raising.
Linda Thornton, Manager, Breeding and Puppy Raising, Co-Founder British Columbia Guide Dog Services
Linda attended St. Lawrence College in Kingston, Ontario where she specialized in Animal Health Technology. After her training she moved to Ottawa and worked as a veterinary technician for 15 years.
In her capacity as Breeding and Puppy Raising Manager, Linda oversees the Breeding Program and is responsible for the puppies that are placed with our Puppy Raising Families.
Under Linda’s management, the Breeding Program ensures that there are sufficient adult dogs ready to enter training with our Training Department. Linda also maintains our professional links with breeding managers worldwide, working on co-operative ventures through the sharing of knowledge and the exchange of frozen semen and puppies.
Jan Buehler, Manager, Development & Communications — Vancouver Island
Jan is excited to join the BC Guide Dog team as Manager of Development & Communications in the Victoria Office. She brings 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector to this position. Jan’s primary role is to continue developing a strong presence and support network on Vancouver Island for BC Guide Dog Services and Autism Support Dogs. She looks forward to working with volunteers, donors, and staff (two-legged and four!), while making our presence known in the community.
Corinna Adams, Guide Dog Mobility Instructor — Vancouver Island
Corinna joined BC Guide Dog Services as an apprentice Guide Dog Mobility Instructor in 2003, graduating in 2006. She is also qualified as an Autism Support Dog Instructor.
Her responsibilities include the evaluation of applicants for both guide dog and autism support dog training, the preparation of dogs for clients, running training classes for clients, and completing annual aftercare for all graduates on Vancouver Island. Corinna also participates in supporting Island-based special events, public education, and fundraising activities.
Ashley Clark, Guide Dog Mobility Instructor — Lower Mainland, B.C.
Ashley joined BC Guide Dog Services as an apprentice Guide Dog Mobility Instructor in 2008. She graduated in 2010. Ashley is also qualified as an Autism Support Dog Instructor.
Like Corinna, Ashley evaluates of applicants for both guide dog and autism support dog training, prepares dogs for clients, runs training classes for clients, and completes annual aftercare for all graduates, only she does her work on Mainland British Columbia while Corinna works on Vancouver Island. Ashley also supports local special events, helps with public education, and participates in fundraising activities.
Henny van der Leeuw, Guide Dog Mobility Instructor — Lower Mainland, B.C.
Henny joined BC Guide Dog Services as a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor in 2011. She graduated in 2000 as a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor at the KNGF Geleidehonden (The Royal Dutch Guide Dog Foundation) in Holland. She is also qualified as an Autism Support Dog Instructor.
Working alongside Ashley on BC’s mainland, Henny has similar responsibilites: the evaluation of applicants for guide dog training; the preparation of dogs for clients; the running of training classes for clients; and completing annual aftercare for all mainland BC graduates. She, too, participates in mainland-based special events, public education, and fundraising activities.
Sandra Reeves, Executive Assistant
Sandra brings a wealth of experience from the corporate world, having spent many years in the banking industry and, most recently, eight years as an executive assistant with a large construction firm. Sandra’s primary role at BC Guide Dog Services is that of executive assistant to the CEO. As a South Delta resident, Sandra is thrilled to be able to cycle to work!
Vincci Li, Marketing & Communications Specialist — Lower Mainland, B.C.
BC Guide Dog Services and Autism Support Dogs welcomed Vincci to the team in April 2011. Vincci has spent many years both volunteering and working for not-for-profit organizations in the Lower Mainland. She has experience in event planning, fundraising, writing, and publication design. Vincci looks forward to connecting with volunteers, Guide and Support Dog users, and the larger community via social media. Watch for her tweets (@bcguidedogs) and Facebook updates!
Susan Robinson, Puppy Sponsorship Administrator
Susan Robinson is responsible for the administration of our Puppy Sponsorship Program for both our BC & Alberta offices. Her organizational skills, attention to detail and genuine passion for service ensures the successful operation of this program. Susan is also known around the office to be our technical troubleshooter! Prior to joining BC Guide Dogs, Susan worked as an Operations Manager for ConnectsUs Intranet Inc. Outside of work, Susan enjoys travelling with her family and on weekends can be found on one of our local golf courses.
Bernadette Easey, Office Administrator
As our frontline person, most initial contacts with the organization are made through Bernadette! Joining BC Guide Dog Services in 2005, Bernadette’s background is in office administration and bookkeeping — skills she puts to good use keeping all our important records well-organized.
Our Alberta Team
We are currently transitioning to a new office space in Calgary and will post bios of our Alberta staff shortly.
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