Submitted by Doug Ward
Did you know that the Lions Foundation of Canada provides Dog Guides for Canadians with different medical or physical disabilities for no cost!!! Last year they provided over 200 life changing Dog Guides for families across Canada. Also, Lions Clubs sponsor clients to go to Oakville, Ont. to be bonded with their trained Dog Guide to make sure it is the right one for them….again at no cost to the individual/companion with the disability. Normally it costs $25000 to $30000 to raise, train and place a Dog Guide from birth to about 2yrs. of age when they are ready to go to a person in need. This year a 7th type of Dog Guide was added – Support Dog Guide – these dogs provide support in traumatic situations, or courtroom comfort for an individual providing difficult disclosure!! This is on top of the six disciplines they have been providing for over 35 years (Hearing, Vision, Seizure Response, Diabetic Alert and Service dogs for people with a physical disability).
The Lions Foundation Dog Guide Program is run without government funding and all monies are raised donations to the over 300 Walk for Dog Guides in Canada, Corporate donations and fund raisers. The Title sponsor “Pet Valu” supplies food and necessities for the dogs.
There are at least eight Guide Dogs coming to Saskatchewan this year. Four are going to Saskatoon and one to Martensville, Regina, Wadena and Langenburg.
On May 26 the Martensville & District Lions Club will be having their 5th Annual Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides at the Heritage Centre/Lions Park at 415 6th Ave. South (NEW LOCATION) with washrooms, playground and spray park available for kids. Registration is at 2:00pm, walk 3:00pm followed by a barbeque. There will be doggie bags for the dogs as well as door prizes and a raffle. If you can’t make it you can donate online at www.walkfordogguides.com, go to Martensville and sponsor the walk or walker.
We will be collecting recyclables as well. If you want to donate them to the walk, bring them on walk day or we can pick up if you have too many (we have collected over $1400 so far).
For more info. or donation brochures pick up at your local pet stores, off-leash parks, Pet Valu in Warman or call Lion Doug Ward at 306-491-8914.
THIS IS OUR LIONS CLUBS 40th ANNIVERSARY so help make it the best one so far.