FORT FRANCES—With the Voyageur Lions and its Fort High-based Leo Club’s “Purina Walk for Dog Guides” coming up here this Sunday afternoon, organizers are hoping for large group of dogs and their owners to participate.
“It’s not too late. There are pledge sheets available around town,” said Leo Club advisor Val Martindale. “If, at the last minute, people just want to come out and sign up and register for a small donation, they’ll be included in the walk.”
Pledge sheets are available at the Nor-West Animal Clinic, Pharmasave, Drs. Lidkea, Elliott and Lidkea, Wal-Mart, and Canada Safeway.
Those who want to participate also can register online at www.purinawalkfordogguides.com
Martindale said about 20 kids at the high school are signed up for the walk, but admitted it’s difficult to say how many people will be turning in pledge sheets on the day of the walk.
“I’ve had several calls from people, but there’s no way of knowing if they’ve picked up pledge sheets and maybe they haven’t done anything with them,” she noted.
“We’re hoping to get 40-50 walkers,” she added. “I think we’d be delighted if we could get that many on our first attempt.”
The local walk will start at 1 p.m. at Pither’s Point, proceed to the Sorting Gap Marina, and then head back. Organizers will have a tent set up at the point, so participants should have no problems finding where to turn in their pledges.
Participants who get pledges prior to the walk will be eligible for prizes such as shirts and hats depending how much money the bring in.
Any pledges over $15 get a tax receipt.
There will be refreshments and lunch for participants afterwards, as well as contests for dogs and their owners.
The event is sponsored by Purina and Super Pet, which are providing prizes both for canines and their owners.
The walk here is one of 112 the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides has scheduled to go this Sunday, with proceeds going to this program. Dog guides help the blind, hearing-impaired, and those with other physical disabilities (like people in wheelchairs).
The dogs are trained to aid them in their daily lives and get help for them if a problem arises.
A dog guide means increased mobility, safety, and independence to people who have lived with a disability for a long time or whose lives suddenly have changed due to an accident or illness.
The Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides has been serving Canadians with disabilities since 1983.
It raises most of its puppies and places them in foster homes for their first year.
Once mature, the dogs are selected and trained for six-eight months, which then is followed by recipients staying at the Foundation for two-four weeks to be matched and learn how to work with their new dog guide partners.
All of the formal training, residences, and administration are based in the Foundation’s Oakville, Ont. headquarters. There also are puppy and training facilities in Breslau, Ont.
It takes time—and money—to raise, train, and place a highly-skilled dog guide. From learning basic house manners to honing the skills required of them in service can take up to two years and cost as much as $25,000.
For more information on the local dog walk, call Martindale at 274-7829.
(Fort Frances Times)
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
