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Lions line up for the dogs

Local Lions Clubs to host 10th annual Walk for Dog Guides on Sunday, May 26, at Wasa Lake
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Two-legs and four-legs can set out for a walk at Wasa Lake to help raise and train dog guides.

On Sunday, May 26 a fur-friendly walk will be held at Wasa Lake at 1 p.m. to raise money for the Lions Foundation Dog Guide program. Registration takes place from 12 noon to 1 p.m. at the Lions picnic site with the walk following. After the walk everyone meets back at the picnic site for food, fun and prizes. This walk is fun for the entire family.

Everyone is invited, including your dog if you wish (on-leash please!). There is no registration fee; we only ask walkers to raise pledges which go towards the raising and training of the Dog Guides for Canadians with disabilities.

Pledge forms have been distributed throughout Kimberley, Wasa and Cranbrook. If you need a pledge form or further information please call Carole at 250-427-3550 Kimberley or online at www.purinawalkfordogguides.com.

This walk is hosted by the Mark Creek, Wasa and Cranbrook Lions Clubs and is just one of over 100 walks held annually across Canada – all to ensure that Dog Guides can be trained and placed free of charge with Canadians who have visual, hearing, medical or physical disabilities. The cost of raising and training a Dog Guide is over $20,000/dog, so every dollar helps.

Meeting the demand for Dog Guides is Lions Foundation of Canada's biggest challenge. Dog Guides were once trained to serve people with visual impairment only; they can now be trained to assist those with hearing impairment, and with physical and medical disabilities as well.

The dogs that are trained are Canine Vision Dog Guides, Hearing Ear Dog Guides, Special Skills Dog Guides, Seizure Response Dog Guides and Autism Assistance Dog Guides.

For further information on the walk or the Dog Guide program or if you need transportation to the event please call 250-427-3550 or on-line at www.purinawalkfordogguides.com.