Lions support cause in Walk for Dog Guides
Approximately 25 walkers and their canine companions turned out May 27 for the annual Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides, sponsored by the Peterborough Lions.
The event took place at the Peterborough Lions community centre, 347 Burnham Street and marked the 20th anniversary for the fundraiser.
The fundraiser came about when Janet Ali and her late husband Vali Ali, saw a similar event in Newcastle.
“I knew we had to do one in Peterborough,” said Janet Ali.
Together, the Alis and fellow Lion Graham Lewis started the walk 20 years ago with Vali and carried it on.
“We have raised $119,000 over 20 years,” said Graham Lewis.
The Peterborough Lions were joined by other area Lions clubs to support the walk and they hoped to raise $7,000 in this year’s walk.
Participants could pick their own route along the Rotary trail, with most completing their walk by 2:30 p.m. Hydration stations along the trail helped all keep cool.
Other activities included a silent auction, free refreshments for participants and more.
The walkathon raises funds and brings awareness about the need for dog guides that provides support and independence to their owners.
The dog guides are more than companions. They are trained to assist in six programs like:
Canine vision for people who are blind or visually impaired;
Hearing, for people who are deaf or hard of hearing;
Autism assistance for children who have autism spectrum disorder;
Service for people who have a physical disability;
Seizure response for people who have epilepsy;
Diabetic alert for people who have type 1 diabetes with hypoglycemic unawareness.
Laney Marchand took part in the walk for the first time this year because she wants to support the cause.
“I have had a dog guide for five years,” said Marchand.
Laney is deaf and gets help from her dog guide, Keller.
“I saw a poster about the walk and wanted to help,” said Marchand.
Ineke Turner and her dog Willow took part in the walk. Turner has a dog guide to help her deal with anxiety and depression.
“There are not a lot of programs for this, so I was basically training her myself,” said Turner.
Her quest to train Willow as a dog guide has taken three years.
“It’s been three years almost to the day,” she said.
Willow is close to being fully trained, but there is still more work to do.
“I don’t know what I would do without her,” says Turner.
It takes approximately $25,000 to raise and train a dog guide, said Graham Lewis.
That includes raising and training puppies for a year at their facility in Oakville; matching dog guides to clients on a waiting list and an intensive training with both dog guide and client and follow up at home.
Once training is completed, the dog guides are provided free of charge by the Lions organization to people who need them.
To donate to the local event, check out the walk page at www.walkfordogguides.com/locations/walk.cfm?ID=1441