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Alliston Lions host Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides, raise funds for support dogs

June 2, 2022   ·   0 Comments

On Saturday, May 28, the Alliston Lions Club hosted its fourth annual Pet Valu Walk For Dog Guides with 32 walkers, including Lions members, in attendance plus their furry companions.

In all, the event raised $1,882 for the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides.

Walk Day registration started at 10 a.m. at the Lions Hall on Boyne Street, with participants setting out on a 3km/street route – which took them thirty minutes to complete – starting at 11 a.m.

Back at the Hall, lunch was provided by Boston Pizza Alliston, and began at 11:30 a.m. Pet Valu Alliston also donated a $150 gift card prize and Royal LePage RCR sponsored the event with a monetary donation. 

“For 2022, every person who raised funds and participated in the Walk received a complimentary coffee donated by McDonald’s Alliston before the walk, and a free pizza lunch donated by Boston Pizza Alliston,” said Jaime Karsch, Alliston Lions Club member, Walk organizer, and marketing coordinator. “We also gave out ‘doggy bags’ with some great items to take home to the first twenty participants to sign up, donated by Pet Valu Alliston.”

Karsch, who also is the event chair for the Walk, told The Times, “In the four years I’ve been chair we’ve raised $9,447 in total for Dog Guides.” 

100 per cent of the funds raised by Walkers on Saturday will be put towards the training and placement of Dog Guides for Canadians with disabilities.

“The Lions Foundation of Canada receives no government funding and relies on the Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides event to support its programs,” said Karsch. “It’s incredible to see our community continue to support the walk each year and to watch it grow. Thank you to every participant and sponsor who makes this event possible every year.”

It costs approximately $35,000 to breed, train and match a life-saving Dog Guide with a person or family.

The Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides is the largest annual fundraiser for Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, and there are seven types of Dog Guides trained: Canine Vision for the blind or visually impaired; Hearing Dogs for the deaf and hard of hearing; Service Dogs for people with a physical disability; Seizure Response for people with epilepsy; Autism Assistance for children with autism spectrum disorder; Diabetic Alert for Type 1 diabetics with hypoglycemic unawareness; and Support Dogs for professional agencies with people in traumatic situations.

Currently there is no government funding for Dog Guides, and the Lions Foundation of Canada relies on donations to make the program a success. 

“Lion Clubs across the country raise approximately twenty per cent of the funds annually,” said Lion Karsch. “Pet Valu is the National Sponsor and they cover all administrative and promotional costs, ensuring all of the proceeds go to Lions Foundation of Canada.” 

For more information about the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides visit www.walkfordogguides.com. For more information about the Alliston Lions Club, including information on upcoming events this summer, Follow them on Facebook.

By Wendy Gabrek

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