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
King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.