FONDAZIONE LIONS MILANO CITTA’ METROPOLITANA ETS
A Guide Dog to Improve the Life of Those Who Cannot See
Who We Are
We are the Lions Foundation Milan Metropolitan City ETS, representing the Lions world in the Milan area.
We are part of the largest service organization in the world, Lions Clubs International, present in over 200 countries with a single goal: to serve those most in need.
Our motto is: “We Serve”.
Through projects dedicated to vision, hunger, childhood cancer, humanitarian aid, health, environment, youth, and disaster relief, we are committed every day to building a more inclusive and humane world.
Our Project for the Milano Marathon Relay 2026
This year we are participating in the Milano Marathon Relay 2026 with a concrete goal of great social value: to raise €25,000 to donate a guide dog to a blind person.
The dog will be trained at our Lions Training Center in Limbiate, one of the most advanced in Europe, which since 1959 has provided over 2,340 guide dogs free of charge to blind or visually impaired people throughout Italy.
The Guide Dog: A Companion of Freedom
For a blind person, a guide dog is much more than help: it is independence, safety, and dignity.
It is a life companion, who “sees” for two, protects, guides, chooses the safest paths, and avoids obstacles.
This means being able to go out independently again, go to work, take a tram, cross the street, or simply walk with confidence.
A guide dog gives the freedom to fully live each day.
The Precious Role of Puppy Walkers
The journey that leads a puppy to become a guide dog begins in its first months of life, thanks to volunteers called Puppy Walkers, who welcome and raise puppies from about 3 months to 1 year of age. The first year of life is crucial for the dog’s physical and psychological development.
With constant support (both training and financial) from the specialized staff at the Limbiate Center, these families help the puppies discover the world, laying the foundation for their future role as guides.
After about 9 months, the dogs return to the Center to begin their training program, which will make them true companions of independence and life for those who, unfortunately, cannot see.
The Lions Training Center in Limbiate
The Lions Guide Dog Training Center in Limbiate is an Italian and European excellence with a staff of 18 full-time employees.
This highly qualified staff oversees every stage of the process, from birth (the Center has a nursery with 5 birthing rooms), breeding and selection of puppies, to training and finally, after about 6–7 months, matching with the most suitable blind person.
The guide dog is delivered free of charge after a period of bonding and training at the Limbiate Center. There is a dedicated “Hospitality House” where the blind person can stay free of charge with a companion for the necessary bonding period (usually one week).
Every guide dog represents a concrete act of solidarity: a journey requiring time, professionalism, and love, which transforms the life of a blind person thanks to the guidance of a “four-legged angel” capable of restoring safety, independence, and all the affection and comfort that only an animal can provide.
This commitment costs about €25,000, partly covered thanks to the generosity of those who choose to walk with us.
Beneficiaries’ Testimonials
“The arrival of a guide dog made me feel protected and safe. The dog gives warmth and affection while also watching over you.” – Renata
“Being guided by these angels transforms life.” – Laura
“I trust him. We are united, one and the same.” – Angelo
“I learned to see the world through his eyes, with the sweetness and kindness only he had.” – Roberta
Our Goal
– Raise €25,000
– Help train and educate a guide dog
– Donate it free of charge to a blind person
– Restore freedom, safety, and independence to those who have never had or have lost the gift of sight
How You Can Help
– Donate now: every contribution, even small, brings us closer to the goal
– Share this page with friends, colleagues, and family
– Support our Lions relay: make a donation to support our runners who are running to donate a guide dog
– Join our relay: run with us and activate your fundraising linked to our project on Rete del Dono
– Become a fundraiser even without running: create your personal fundraising page and help us spread the project
– Become a Puppy Walker: welcome a puppy and help raise it as a future guide dog
– Be part of the change: every action, every euro, every share counts
– Join us in this race of solidarity: together we can give autonomy, safety, and hope
You too can give freedom to those who cannot see: together we can bring light to those who live in darkness.
Every step, every help, every smile brings us closer to the goal: giving freedom.
Heartfelt thanks from all of us at the Lions Foundation Milan Metropolitan City ETS!
Find out more: https://fondazionelionsmilano.it
