On May 26, the streets of Fergus will be filled with lots of busy feet and paws, as the Fergus Purina Walk for Dog Guides strolls through town.
The Fergus Walk is taking place at Forfar Ball Park, with registration opening at 12pm and the Walk starting at 1pm. One hundred per cent of the funds raised from the Purina Walk for Dog Guides go towards providing Dog Guides to Canadians with disabilities at no cost.
Canine Vision Dog Guide graduate Gerry, of Dundas, Ontario, is one of the 1,970 Canadians who, thanks to the funds raised by the Purina Walk for Dog Guides and national donors, have been provided with a Dog Guide at no cost by the Lions Foundation of Canada.
“Having a Dog Guide has created so many opportunities for me to travel,” explains Gerry, “I used to be confined to just my town, but now I can travel – which I’ve never done before. I’ve gained confidence and [my Dog Guide] gives me a sense of security, especially in unfamiliar areas.”
In 2013, hundreds of Canadians will benefit from the increased independence and security provided by Dog Guides from Lions Foundation of Canada.
Organized by local volunteers, the Purina Walk for Dog Guides is truly a grassroots event. It provides community members with an inclusive, fun and meaningful way to positively impact the lives of local residents living with disabilities.
The Fergus Walk is one of 200 walks taking place across Canada this spring. As the number of Canadians with disabilities grows to 1 in 7, the event becomes more important with each passing year.
Lions Foundation of Canada trains Dog Guides in a number of different programs, including Canine Vision, Hearing Ear, Special Skills, Seizure Response, and Autism Assistance.
The event is made possible each year by the generous support of the Walk’s title sponsor, Nestlé Purina PetCare, and national sponsors Fido and Twin Pro Graphics.
Each Dog Guide costs approximately $20,000 to raise and train. Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides does not receive any government funding, yet all Dog Guides are provided at no cost.
The Lions Foundation of Canada trains many different types of Dog Guides, including: Canine Vision Dog Guides, providing assistance to people who are blind or visually impaired; Hearing Ear Dog Guides, for people who are deaf or hard of hearing; Special Skills Dog Guides, providing assistance to Canadians with physical disabilities; Seizure Response Dog Guides, helping Canadians with epilepsy; and Autism Assistance Guide Dogs, helping children with autism. These Dog Guides have the ability to make a difference in the lives of Canadians with disabilities. To register or donate, please visit www.purinawalkfordogguides.com.
