The Kanata-Hazeldean Lions Club and the Stittsville District Lions Club are pleased to host the PetValu Walk for Dog Guides in support of the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guide programs.
Our Lions Clubs have supported the Walk for Dog Guides since the first Walk took place in the Ottawa area in 1986.
This year’s Walk is presented in memory of Lion Peter Henry, a blind Lion who graduated from the Canine Vision Dog Guide program. Lion Peter was a member of the Kanata-Hazeldean Lions Club for 10 years prior to his passing in May of 2021. Over that period, Lion Peter raised nearly $25,000 in support of Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides.
The funds raised at the event go to providing life-changing service dogs for individuals free of charge through Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. It takes approximately $35,000 to raise and train a Dog Guide for each of the 7 programs currently offered by the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides:
- Canine Vision for people who are blind or visually impaired
- Hearing Ear for people who are deaf or hard of hearing
- Autism Assistance for children who have autism spectrum disorder
- Service for people who have a physical disability
- Seizure Response for people who have epilepsy
- Diabetic Alert for people who have type 1 diabetes with hypoglycemic unawareness
- Facility Support for professional agencies assisting individuals in traumatic situations
We are aware that graduates from every program are living in the Ottawa area, and several will be participating in our walk.