It was perfect weather for this year’s Purina Walk for Dog Guides on May 25 at Forfar Park in Fergus.
The event was sponsored by the Fergus and Marsville Lions Clubs.
Fergus Lions member Ben Collings said this year’s participation is about the same as in 2013.
“It’s been very good and we’re really pleased this year because we’ve gone out to the people who are dog lovers in Centre Wellington. It’s been amazing,” said Collings.
Two of this year’s participants are blind.
Kara Shaw, 23, has been blind since birth and just received her guide dog last year. Collings noted that on May 24, Shaw took part in the Food Cycle Ride in Elora, riding her three-wheel bicycle.
The other individual is Larry Wainwright, who became blind as an adult.
“We’re thrilled that Larry is going to get his independence back,” Collings said. He added Wainwright is also a member of the Ariss Lions Club.
The Purina Walk for Dog Guides is a national fundraising walk held in more than 200 communities across Canada. It raises funds to help train Dog Guides for Canadians with visual, hearing, medical or physical disabilities. Each Walk is organized by local volunteers with support from Lions Foundation of Canada.
To date, the walk has raised more than $10 million. All Dog Guides and required training, including transportation and accommodation, are provided at no cost to qualified applicants. The Lions Foundation does not receive any government funding and relies on the support of fundraising events like the Purina Walk for Dog Guide.
Dog Guides Canada operates six programs:
– canine vision dog guides for people who are blind or visually impaired
– hearing ear dog guides for people who are deaf or hard of hearing;
– service dog guides for people with a medical or physical disability;
– seizure response dog guides for people who have epilepsy;
– autism assistance dog guides for children with autism spectrum disorder; and
– diabetic alert dog guides for people who have type 1 diabetes with hypoglycemic unawareness.
For information visitdogguides.com or purinawalkfordogguides.com.
