The Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides is back again this year, and registration is open for those interested in participating, volunteering, or donating.
The walk will take place on May 26 in Wellesley Park, Wakamow Valley, and welcomes visitors to bring themselves and their furry companions to support the Lions Foundation Dog Guides. Registration will begin at 9 a.m., and the walk will start at 10 a.m.
The event is wheelchair accessible, dog friendly, and open to everyone — although dogs are not required, and neither is walking. The route will loop around the park, with an option to return at the halfway point, and people are welcome to come down and just bring donations to the cause, no walking necessary.
Last year, the walk raised just over $1,800, and event organizer Laurie Ewan is hoping to see an increase in turnout again this year. The title sponsor for the event is Pet Valu, and as they have generously covered most of the administrative costs to put on the fundraiser, all of the funds raised at the walk will go directly to the Lions Foundation.
A guide dog is considered to be medical equipment, and can cost $25,000 to train and place with each person or family, a cost that is not provided by the applicant. The Lions Foundation relies purely on donations to cover these costs, as they receive no government funding to continue their program, which has placed over 3,000 dog guides with Canadians.
“It's amazing that dogs are provided free to the clients. Flight out there: covered. Room and board while you're there training with your dog: covered. Flight home: covered. You have constant contact with the Lions Foundation if you need it,” said Ewan. “They’re there and they’ll get back to you as soon as possible, help you through it all.”
Stephen and AAD Bingo will lead the walk again this year. (Supplied by Laurie Ewan.)Ewan stressed how important it is for people to understand what it is guide dogs do for their handlers. Her son Stephen received Autism Assistance Dog Bingo from the Lions Foundation just over two years ago, and Ewan said Bingo has really helped her son in his day-to-day life.
“It's just a night and day difference now; he’s more comfortable going to school, and he’s got his dog to help him through those anxiety times or times when the world does not fit to him, as it's meant for neurotypical people and not autistic people,” said Ewan. “These dogs do make life-changing differences.”
Pet Valu Manager Michelle Erdahl echoes the sentiment, mentioning how she thinks the event is an important one to be a part of in the community.
“I think it's a great way to get it out into the community. . . to get the community involved with knowing about guide dogs and raising the money to support them,” said Erdahl. “It's a great way to learn as well. . . [that] when they’re wearing their vest, they’re working and you have to stand back, leave them be.”
Currently, the fundraiser is looking for volunteers for both prior to and on walk day, and also for sponsors; those interested can contact Ewan through email at [email protected] or by text or call, at 306-630-6529.
“[We] need volunteers to hand out letters to businesses, because we are looking to see if we can get any donations from businesses, monetary or for, I call them ‘swag bags’ because we do like to give our walkers a little present for coming out and helping us out,” said Ewan.
Walkers interested in taking part can register online at walkfordogguides.com on the event listing for Moose Jaw, which allows them to collect donations online, or they can contact Ewan for a donation brochure and bring their donations with them on walk day.
Ewan encourages people to get involved and to support the cause, as it is something that she feels benefits the entire community.
“The more people we’re able to give that opening, people who maybe can't see or hear, or have MS or other struggles, to get those people out into the world, then they can contribute to our world,” said Ewan. “So why not donate a little bit to make a huge difference — not just to one person or them and their family, but you’re making a huge difference on a community and society [level].”
The Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides can be found on Twitter and Instagram as @MJDogWalk, for those wanting to track the event’s progress leading up to walk day.
