Purina Walk for Dog Guides 2010

Bill Pyle | Aug 05, 2010

The Purina Walk for Dog Guides raises money to help train Dog Guides for Canadians with visual, hearing, medical or physical disabilities. To date the Walk has raised more than $5.7 million for Dog Guides. The Walk is Lions Foundation of Canada’s largest annual fundraising event.

Throughout the spring and summer, walks have been held in 180 locations across Canada. Now it’s your turn! On September 18, 2010 at the Sharbot Lake beach, the local Lions Club will host their second annual Walk for Guide Dogs. Last year, $3500 was raised during this event. This year’s goal is $5000 and you can help. Get a pledge form from one of our local business partners located throughout the village and get ready to walk!

Foster Puppy Program

Puppies are bred at the Lions Foundation’s facility in Breslau, Ontario or occasionally donated by generous, reputable breeders. At approximately eight weeks of age, puppies are placed in foster homes until they are ready to return for formal training – usually around one year of age.

Foster families attend puppy classes in Oakville and Breslau every 4-6 weeks throughout the oneyear commitment. The foster families house train the puppies, teach them manners and basic obedience, and socialize them to things like offices, shopping malls and public transportation.

Breeds commonly used are Labrador Retrievers and Standard Poodles (for those applicants who are allergic to dogs), Golden Retrievers, and some smaller breeds. The training for a Dog Guide is an intensive four to six month period, training one on one with a qualified trainer. Once fully trained, the dog is matched with a client who spends 2-4 weeks at the Oakville training facility, learning how to handle, trust and bond with their new Dog Guide. After graduation, follow-up visits and communication between the graduate and the training staff is maintained to ensure ongoing success. Each program trains Dog Guides to meet the needs of Canadians with various disabilities.

Dog Guides Canada operates five programs:

Canine Vision Dog Guides for people who are blind or visually impaired; Hearing Ear Dog Guides for people who are deaf or hard of hearing; Special Skills Dog Guides for people with a medical or physical disability; Seizure Response Dog Guides for people who have epilepsy; Autism Assistance Dog Guides for children with autism

All of this costs the foundation approximately $20,000 per dog. All Dog Guides, training and accommodation at the school are provided to qualified applicants at no cost.

2010 marks the 25th anniversary of the Purina Walk for Dog Guides. All ages, fitness levels, with or without a dog are welcome to participate in the event. To register, find a Walk near you or simply to donate, visit www.purinawalkfordogguides.com or call 613-279-2502. We’ll see you at the beach on September 18, 2010. The Lions Club: We Serve!