By Roger White

Dog guides give a new leash on life

May 19, 2017 | 2:00 PM

The Walk for Dog Guides is Saturday, June 3 and will be raising funds and awareness for the Lions Foundation Dog Guide Program which helps raise, train and place guide dogs in Canada.

“We currently have no dog guide dogs in the Battlefords but we do have a hearing dog guide in Cochin,” Marie Milnthorp, the organizer of the Walk for Dog Guides, said. “Each dog costs $25,000 and we are hoping to raise that amount so we can bring a dog guide to the Battlefords for someone in need.”

Milnthorp says there is no charge to the individual who is placed with the dog guide and she hopes the event has a huge turnout.

“It just changes a person’s life when you see a dog with them,” Milnthorp added. “Especially if you’ve seen them before and afterwards you see a totally different person. It makes the person whole again.”

The dogs can be trained for six types of impairments including vision, hearing, seizure response, service dogs, autism assistance and diabetic alert dogs.

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The Walk for Guide Dogs will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Historic Battlefords Lions Clubhouse at 162-22 St. Participants can pick up pledge forms prior to the walk at Pet Value on Territorial Drive. The walk is also pet-friendly however all dogs must be on a leash.

There will be prizes for individuals who raise the most money and there will also be prizes for different age categories. Milnthorp noted all participants will be treated to a free pancake breakfast at the Lions Club prior to the walk.

roger.white@jpbg.ca

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