Dog owners in Oliver are invited to take part in the annual Walk for Dog Guides in Lion’s Park on Sunday, May 29, starting at 9:30 am.
Richard McGuire photo
Calling all dog owners in Oliver – Purina® Walk for Dog Guides wants to make more life-changing matches possible for Canadians with disabilities, and on Sunday, May 29, Oliver is hosting one of more than 200 walks taking place across the country this spring.
“Dog Guides make the world more accessible for their handlers, whether it’s by navigating city sidewalks or by literally opening a door,” said Oliver resident Joanne Bray, who is planning the local event. “This walk is a way for our community to contribute to a cross-Canada success story.”
The annual walk raises funds for Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, a national charity which breeds, trains, and matches service dogs with qualifying applicants. The walk in Oliver is being hosted by Oliver Lions/Lioness Clubs, where Bray is a member.
The Purina® Walk for Dog Guides has gained steady momentum over the past 30 years, last year raising more than $1,195,000 nationally. Thanks to lead sponsor Nestle Purina Pet Care, 100 per cent of funds raised go directly to dog guide programs, offsetting the cost of breeding, training and placing dog guides, and allowing the organization to provide them at no cost.
The walk is a family and dog-friendly event, suitable for all ages and abilities.
The Oliver event is being held in Lion’s Park, with registration beginning at 9 am. The walk commences at 9:30 am.
To register or donate, visit www.purinawalkfordogguides.com
Lions Foundation of Canada is a national charitable foundation with a mission to assist Canadians with medical or physical disabilities by providing them dog guides at no cost.
Its founding program, Canine Vision Canada, was established in 1985 to assist Canadians with visual impairment, and since then, the Foundation has added dog guide programs including hearing ear, service, seizure response, autism assistance, and diabetic alert. To date, more than 2,300 dog guides have been placed with people across Canada.
The cost of raising, training and matching a dog guide with a qualifying Canadian is approximately $25,000, but none of that cost is passed on to the applicant. The organization receives no government funding.
