Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides Sunday in Grand Forks
By Contributor
This spring, Canadians and their four-legged “best friends” are preparing to walk together for the Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides on Sunday, May 28th in Grand Forks.
This year’s Walk will be held in more than 240 communities across Canada. The largest fundraising endeavor of its kind, the Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides helps to raise, train and place service dogs with Canadians who have a medical or physical disability. All dogs are welcome to participate, but you do not need a dog to join us.
Local volunteers organize each of the walks with support from Lions Foundation of Canada. Grand Fork’s local walk at Total Pet Grand Forks is being organized by resident Paula Stooshinoff. Held annually, the Walk has raised more than $14 million over the years. Thanks to the generous support of our national sponsors, Pet Valu, VIA Rail, and Cadillac Fairview, 100% of the funds raised by each walker will go directly towards our six Dog Guide 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
- Service Dog Guides, for people with a physical disability
- Seizure Response Dog Guides, for people who have epilepsy
- Autism Assistance Dog Guides, for children (aged 3-12) on the autism spectrum
- Diabetic Alert Dog Guides, for people who have type 1 diabetes with hypoglycemic unawareness
Elmer of Victoria was matched with Hearing Ear Dog, Gordie “The first time I met Gordie, I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I teared up. Gordie licked the tears away,” Elmer says. I knew then that this was going to be an incredible partnership filled with purpose, and that even without wearing my hearing aids, I was safe and could be at peace knowing that Gordie was listening for me.”
While each Dog Guide costs an average of $25,000, they are provided free of charge to qualifying applicants. Lions Foundation of Canada receives no government funding and relies solely on donations from individuals, corporations, and fundraising activities. This is why the Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides is so important.
By participating in the Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides, you can help provide life-changing Dog Guides to Canadians with disabilities. For more information, to find a Walk and register, or to make a donation, please visit www.walkfordogguides.com.
