On Oct. 3, Dr. Jane Burgess, a veterinarian with Wellington Veterinary Services cycled 100km from Milton to Guelph and back to raise funds and awareness for the Farley Foundation.
It is a charitable organization that assists low-income seniors, disabled persons, and women at risk of abuse with the necessary veterinary care for the pets that mean the world to them.
(The Ontario Veterinary Medicine Association’s safe pet program assists women at risk of abuse and their children who are entering women’s shelters by providing temporary housing and care for their pets while they are residing in women’s shelters. For more information about that program, visit www.ovma.org.)
For the past four years, veterinarians and veterinary health professionals have cycled through Northern Ontario to raise money for people and pets in need.
Last year, 11 riders rode a combined total of 1,520km to raise over $15,000 for the Farley Foundation.
The 2009 Ride for Farley event was held in Southern Ontario for the first time. Each rider was asked to raise at least $1,000 to help build the foundation’s goal of $50,000 for this year’s event.
“As a veterinarian who sees sick and injured animals every day, I see first hand the special bond that people have with their pets,” said Dr. Jane Burgess. “Not being able to care for a pet is just devastating for these people. The Farley Foundation helps people continue this special relationship with the animals that mean so much to them for as long as possible.”
Burgess added “I completed the bike … and most importantly, I stayed dry.
“As soon as I crossed the finish line it started to hail and storm – so someone was looking after us. Thank you to all those who donated – and I did raise the $1,000.”
Established by the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association in 2001, the Farley Foundation assists people to access non-elective veterinary medical treatment for their pets.
To date, the foundation has disbursed over $600,000 to assist over 1,700 people and pets.
