BY TAMARA BELKOV
Dogs of every size, shape and colour could be seen leading their owners around by their leash at Bell Park Saturday May 28.
The pet pouches took to the pathways to help their owners get some much needed exercise and fresh air and to raise funds for the Dog Guide training program operated by the Lions Foundation of Canada.
The second annual Purina Walk for Dog Guides was a hit among the 35 owners and their canine companions who spent the sunny warm afternoon walking, socializing, dipping in Ramsey Lake, sharing a bowl of water, competing in a silly dog show and sniffing out the barbecue hosted by M&M Meats.
Both events raised $5,000 beating last years total by $1,500.
The Lions Foundation provides specially trained dog guides to more than 1,000 people with visual, hearing, medical and physical disabilities ranging in age from eight to 84 without any government support and at no cost to the recipient.
Pamela Turcotte wheeled her way around the park with her family and the help of her guide dog named Hilton. The two-year-old golden labrador retriever was trained by the Foundation's program and is one of the best breeds for training as a guide dog.
"She goes everywhere with me," Turcotte says. "If I'm ever stuck or something, she'll bark for help. She's my best buddy."
Turcotte and Hilton (named after celebrity blond Paris Hilton) became friends six months ago at a training camp in Oakville where they were introduced by the Lions Foundation.
"She was picked for me, but she was the one I wanted. I got lucky."
Hilton and her canine companions are trained over a period of six to eight months. Once fully trained, the dogs are matched with a client who stays at the training school for 10 to 26 days, depending on the program.
Organizer Al Marcon from the Sudbury Lion's says when the dogs are in harness or on a lead they are working and should not be approached.
"It's up to the owners to say the dog can take a break and socialize with the crowd or accept food or a bowl of water on a hot day like today,"Marcon says.
He explains, both the dog and their owner are carefully trained to work together. Special skills dogs are trained to turn off and on lights switches retrieve items such as a pencil, or keys. Hilton can retrieve things that have been dropped by Pamela and can open and close doors, drawers and refrigerator door. She even loads and unloads a front loading washing machine and dryer.
Sudbury's Purina Walk for Dog Guides was one of 125 held across the country and is the Foundation's most important annual fundraising event.
On-line donations can be made at www.purinawalkforguidedogs.com
