The 9th annual Lions Foundation of Canada Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides in Martensville will be taking place on Sunday, May 28th. This event brings people of all ages together to help raise funds and awareness for Dog Guides. Funds raised through events such as this one help the Lions Foundation of Canada provide dog guides to families in need throughout the country.
Dog Guide puppies go home with volunteer foster families, that, with staff’s help, train them in basic obedience and to be comfortable in all types of environments. By the age of 14-16 months, the dogs are returned to the organization to attend “Dog Guide University” and major in one of the seven programs available; hearing, seizure response, service, autism assistance, diabetic alert, facility support and canine vision. Dogs receive training for approximately six months and then are matched to a client.
“This entire process costs $35,000 and it includes lifelong follow-up support while the dog is working. The Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides is our most vital fundraising event. We rely on the success of the walk to continue to match Dog Guides at no cost to people with a medical or physical disability,” Angela Thibert, Communications Coordinator for the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, explained.
Registration for the event will begin at 1pm, with the walk taking place at 2pm, followed by a barbeque and refreshments. There will be participant bags provided for all that include treats for the dogs. The event will also include a chance to win door prizes, and raffle items. The walk will begin in Martensville’s Lions Park, located on 6th Avenue South, and proceed to Cones Ice Cream where all dogs will be treated to pup cups.
To get involved, you can register and fundraise for the event to participate as an individual or as a team, donate online, or come out and attend the event and see people that have directly benefited from this amazing organization.
Sponsors help make events like this one a success, so organizers would like to thank; Pet Valu Martensville, Pet Valu Warman, Pet Valu Market Mall – Saskatoon, Pet Valu Kensington – Saskatoon, Paws Republic Centre for Pets, Canadian Tire, Pharmasave, Martensville Veterinary Clinic, Canalta Inn, Martensville Messenger, Affinity Credit Union, Clark Crossing Gazette, Co-op Martensville, Costco – Saskatoon and Fuddruckers – Saskatoon.
“Donations to this event can help purchase a vaccine to keep a puppy healthy, an extra fire alarm to train one more Hearing Dog Guide, a flight for a client that is on their way to Oakville to meet their four-legged partner and so much more,” Thibert said.
To register, donate, or learn more about the Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides, visit www.walkfordogguides.com.
