The Martensville & District Lions Club is proud to host its annual Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides on Saturday, May 25th at Lions Park, with the walk route stretching between Lions Park and Kinsmen Park. This year’s event holds special significance as it marks the 40th anniversary of the nationwide initiative.
Held annually in communities across Canada, the Walk for Dog Guides raises critical funds to provide specially trained dog guides at no cost to individuals and families in need. Without the support of the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, these life-changing companions would cost between $35,000 – $50,000.
The process of receiving a dog guide begins with an application through a local Lions Club, followed by an assessment by the Dog Guide Foundation in Oakville, Ontario. If accepted, the recipient is flown to Oakville to meet their perfectly matched dog; chosen based on specific needs, such as allergies or disabilities. Once paired, a trainer visits the recipient’s home to assist with the transition and training process.
There are seven different kinds of dog guides available, which include; Canine Vision for people with visual impairments, Hearing Assistance for people that are deaf or hard of hearing, Service Dog Guides for people with a medical or physical disability, Seizure Response Dog Guides for people affected by epilepsy, Autism Assistance for children on the autism spectrum, Diabetes Alert Dog Guides for people with Type 1 diabetes with hypoglycemic unawareness and Facility Support Dog Guides for professional agencies that assist individuals in traumatic situations.
Over the past 11 years, the Martensville Lions Club has proudly helped provide two dog guides to local families: Ivan, an Autism Assistance Dog Guide, and Pearl, a Hearing Dog Guide. The club is currently working with another local child to ensure he receives a dog guide once he reaches the eligible age of 12.
This year’s walk carries added emotional significance as it will be held in honour of Doug Ward, a cherished Martensville Lions Club member who has played a pivotal role in organizing the event over the years and is now in hospice care battling cancer.
“This year, we are naming the event ‘Walk for Doug’, and every year moving forward, it’ll be ‘Walk with Doug’,” said Maria Fowler, a long-time Lions member and close friend of Doug’s. “He started this in Martensville, and we’re carrying it on in his honor. It’s a tribute to everything he’s done for our club and community.”
Thanks to Doug’s organization and passion for this event, the Martensville event has grown into one of the top 10 fundraisers in Canada for the past two years. In 2024, the club raised an impressive $15,865, and this year, they aim to surpass that total.
“It’s an honour for our club to recognize Doug for all his hard work and we hope that we can get lots of people to come out and support us and join us in this event. We want to make this an even bigger and better year for Doug, in honour of him,” Fowler stated, adding that they are hoping Doug will be well enough to make an appearance on Sunday.
To donate or find out more about the Martensville Walk for Dog Guides, visit www.walkfordogguides.com/fundraisers/martensvillewalkfordogguides. Donations will also be accepted in person at the event, with debit payments available.
In partnership with the Saskatoon Lions Club, the Martensville Lions are aiming to make this year’s walk their largest and most impactful yet. Join the community on May 25th and be a part of something truly life-changing for local families.
Registration will begin at 1:00pm on Sunday, May 25th in Lions Park, with the walk beginning at 2:00pm. There will be pup cups available for the four-legged participants, and a BBQ for the human participants.
ABOVE: Martensville & District Lions Club member Doug Ward, who is currently in hospice battling cancer, has been a leading force in organizing the Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides within the community.
