ARISS – It’s almost time for the annual Lions Foundation of Canada’s PetValu Walk for Dog Guides.
Walking for the Ariss and Maryhill, Elora, and Belwood Lions Clubs is Ariss and Maryhill club president Larry Wainwright and his dog guide Otis.
“Otis and I are continuing our journey to raise as many dollars as we can so Dog Guides can continue to serve,” detailed Wainwright’s donation invitation letter.
In an interview he added that they’ll be accepting donations right until the end of June, with the official walk day being on May 29.
Funds raised go to the breeding, fostering, training and graduating of dog guides.
The walk for dog guides is a national effort and each walk is organized by Lions Clubs in the community.
This is Wainwright and Otis’s eighth year of participating in the event, with the past two being online due to the pandemic.
When starting the walk eight years ago, Wainwright’s goal was to raise $25,000 over 10 years, which was approximately the cost to train a guide dog when he and Otis went through the program in 2014.
Eight years in and they’ve raised over $52,000 for the Lions Foundation Dog Guide program.
“I have raised enough money to give the precious gift I’ve gotten,” said Wainwright, adding that he’ll continue his annual walk as long as he can.
“We have been truly blessed to have had continuous financial support from corporations, businesses, Lions, service organizations, family and friends,” said Wainwright’s letter.
The national walk has raised more than $20 million according to the walk for dog guides website.
Even if people can’t donate, it’s still important to raise awareness for the impact dog guides have and to understand what’s required to train them, said Wainwright.
“It’s just remarkable,” he said, adding that his own dog Otis feels like a part of the family.
“Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides are trained to assist those with hearing, vision, special needs, seizure response, autism, diabetes and facility support needs.”
To donate visit walkfordogguides.com, or www.walkfordogguides.com/fundraisers/larrywainwright/pet-valu.
