Dear Editor:
The Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides is building the future to serve more Canadians and many thanks to the citizens of Centre Wellington, as you helped.
During 2022 the Fergus and Marsville Lions Clubs held numerous fundraisers but the actual Walk for Dog Guides in May raised over $13,600. Our thanks to walkers, donors, sponsors and our biggest sponsor Pet Valu. In addition $4,000 was donated from proceeds from the May 2022 Fergus Lions Home and Leisure Show and we thank those who supported this show, after its cancellation for two years.
Right now, in Canada, there are 1,100 active Lions service dogs, but recently COVID-19 has restricted travel and in-person training, and there is a lot of catch-up work to do.
The foundation’s plan is to expand, with a goal of 250 dog guides per year. Opening in 2025, a new planned state-of-the-art facility in Ontario will allow Dog Guides to train more dogs and help more people. With one in five Canadians living with a disability the need continues to grow.
We thank all those who supported Lions Walk for Dog Guides in 2022. We could not go door-to-door with pledge sheets but the puppies being trained needed to be fed and cared for. We thank the staff at Lions Foundation of Canada, in Oakville, worked under very difficult circumstances and the volunteer fostering families who raised the puppies and socialized them, under restricted public gatherings.
The Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides is one of numerous charities we Lions support and with your help more can be done in 2023.
Thank you, Centre Wellington.
Ben Collings,
Co-chair Fergus and Marsville Lions Clubs Walk for Dog Guides