FERGUS – Donations to the Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides, held at the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex on June 9, will help the Lions Foundation of Canada provide dog guides at no cost to Canadians with disabilities.
The dogs guide handlers through their daily lives, get help for them when it is needed, and help them “navigate their world with confidence and independence,” the Lions Foundation of Canada states.
Members of the Fergus and Marsville Lions Clubs, along with Fergus Pet Valu owners Nina and Greg Querin, members of the Diamonds in the Ruff sports club for dogs, and members of branch 492 Lorne Scots Royal Canadian Army Cadets all volunteered their time and energy to make the walk a success despite the weather.
Diamonds in the Ruff agility dog Winston enjoyed the treats and games at the Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides on Sunday. Photo by Lorie Black
“The Lions club does such a great job organizing the event,” said Querin.
“We get to come out and play with the dogs. It’s such a pleasure.
“We provide bags of supplies for the walkers and do everything we can to support the dogs who are here. We love it, it’s a great event.”
Diamonds in the Ruff member Jan Newton said the dog agility club has been coming since the Fergus walk started.
“We take turns on the agility course and when people want to try their dogs on the course we help them,” she said.
Andrea Buettgen and her husband Barry Filter, dog guide fosters for over 11 years, brought along adopted retired diabetic alert dog guide Maple, and Eaton, another dog they adopted.
“Eaton is a career change dog. He didn’t make the final cut,” Buettgen said.
She explained fosters “do basic obedience and socializing training for about 12 to 14 months. Then the dogs are ready for their formal training.”
Sam Hobbes, a dog guide foster for over 21 years who brought her five-month-old dog in training Zilla, said the formal training lasts six months or more.
“Then there is a graduation ceremony, and we get to meet the person they’ve gone to.”
Diamonds in the Ruff dogs pose with Lions Foundation Walk for Dog Guides supporters, back row, from left: Darlene Nanni and Angela Murray, and front, Raymond and Gordon Murray. Photos by Lorie Black
Centre Wellington councillor Lisa MacDonald, who has worked at the Ontario Veterinary College, was in attendance at the event.
“I’m very passionate about this walk. This is very noble. You know, dog guide training is not easy. It’s an emotional journey,” she said.
“And the folks that give their volunteer time to do that training and fostering really speaks to the type of person they are. I’ve seen many dog guides move on to dog help families and that’s what this is about.”
Sunday’s walk brought in over $11,000. Fergus Lions Club president Margaret Murray said $3,000 came from online donations, “And there is more to come.”
Murray was grateful to all volunteers and those who donated and attended the walk. For information and to donate visit ferguslionsclub.org.
