Dozens take part in walk for guide dogs in Orillia
It was a perfect fall forecast Sunday as dozens turned out in Orillia for a walk to raise funds for guide dogs across Canada.
The annual Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides started at Couchiching Park in Orillia Sunday morning. Participants united with a shared goal of bringing in funds for the Lions Foundation of Canada to help cover the costs of raising and training dog guides.
"The end goal is to raise enough money and awareness for people across Canada and in Orillia…to show them that these dogs are needed," says Laura Joyce, the organizer of Orillia's walk who herself uses a guide dog. "This provides independence and peace of mind and just to make sure that we as different-labelled Canadians, I'm speaking for myself, that we have these dogs to make our life better, brighter and can work alongside our non-accessibility challenged colleagues."
Joyce has been a part of the run for more than a decade. She stresses its importance in benefiting the Lions Foundation of Canada, which does not receive any government funding. She says access to guide dogs has been made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"A lot of Canadians went to the other side of the 49th parallel, the United States, and with all the travel restrictions they aren't able to get a dog in the states right now, so more, and more need has been required of the Lions Foundation of Canada because there's more and more people staying in Canada to get their service dog," says Joyce.
According to Joyce, the average cost to train a single guide dog is $35,000. The event typically brings in up to $7,000 annually. For Erin O'Reilly, the owner of Orillia's Pet Valu, the event's significance and importance is evident based on how it has helped Laura Joyce.
"Hers is a seeing-eye dog, so it gave her her life back," says O'Reilly. "She's able to go around town, she's able to do normal things, and that was exciting. So to be a part of that and being able to help another person is great!"
For information on how you can help, click here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.