A Martensville and District Lions Club tradition will look a little different this year.
For the past five years, the club’s annual Walk for Dog Guides is normally held on the last Sunday of May at Martensville’s Kinsmen Park. The event raises funds for the Lions Foundation of Canada’s Dog Guides program, which provides support dogs for Canadians with medical and physical disabilities.
But this year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the event originally slated for May 31 has been cancelled.
Well, not exactly cancelled.
It’s just gone digital. “The Virtual Walk for Dog Guides is scheduled for Sunday, May 31,” said Doug Ward, a member of the Martensville and District Lions Club, adding the need for specialized dog guides is growing every year among Canadians.
Ward said it costs the Lions Foundation of Canada about $30,000 to raise, train and place a Dog Guide from birth to about two years of age when they are ready to go to a person in need. The dogs are trained to support people with six types of disabilities: hearing, vision, seizure response, diabetic alert, and physical disability. Last year, a seventh specialized type of dog guide trained to provide support for people in traumatic situations was added to the program.
The Martensville and District Lions Club raises funds to sponsor a dog guide for people in the local area.
Ward said the annual Walk for Dog Guides is a major fundraiser, and he’s hopeful the community will embrace the online version this year.
“The Lions Foundation still has 400 guide dogs and puppies in different stages of training that are now being handled at home with their trainers or volunteer handlers,” said Ward. “Although Pet Valu supplies food for the dogs in training, there are other expenses and supplies that are needed on a regular basis.”
Ward said people can participate in the virtual walk by “walking, riding a bike, jogging or rolling in a wheelchair” and by making a donation online to ‘Pet Value Walk for Dog Guides’ by clicking on ‘Virtual Walk’ and choosing either ‘Register’ or ‘Donate.’
They can register themselves as a walker, or they can donate under someone who is already registered as a walker.
Doug Ward is a registered walker.
Donors can also make a donation to a team. The Martensville and District Lions Club is registered as a team.
Ward said anonymous donations can also be made online.
“If you don’t like donating online, you can give the donation to any member of the Martensville and District Lions Club,” said Ward. “Donations over $20 are eligible for a charitable tax receipt.”
Ward said the Martensville Walk for Dog Guides is traditionally in the country’s top 20 walks, and he’s hoping this year the donations keep the club in the upper ranks of fundraisers.
He said the club is confident the event will be held for real in May, 2021.
Anyone interested in further information can contact Doug Ward at 306-491-8914.