Four-legged guides offer freedom (26 photos)

Lion's Foundation of Canada Dog Guides can mean a new leash on life for so many and their families.

Just ask any one of several Algoma residents how dog guides have enriched their lives.

The St. Joseph Island Lion's Club held their annual Purnia Walk for Guide Dogs with a turn out lower than normal.  

Just over 50 people, many accompanied by their canine companions, participated due to dire weather with rain or thunderstorms in the forecast leading up to the event, said Lion's Chair Robert Kerr.

The rain ended early that morning, leaving a cool breeze with an overcast sky.

The event attracted participants from Sault Ste. Marie to Thessalon armed with large pledge forms.

The walk raised just over $9,000, one of the top totals ever, Kerr said.

The top two fundraisers were Donald Bedard, attending his first St. Joseph Island walk, and Donna Orlando.

Those in attendance included five graduate dog teams.

They included, Lesly Whithead and her hearing ear dog, Digit, Katie Hewgill and her special skills dog, Effie, Don Bedard and his son Miguel and his autism assistance dog, North, Kari Finlayson and son Owen with his autism assistance dog, and Lewis and Beth Coombs and family with their career change dogs (retired) Deputy and Wyatt.

Kevin and Beth Coombs presently have their 16th foster puppy.

Also in attendance was Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes.

Assisting Hughes in cutting the ribbon to begin the walk from Kent's Corner were Miguel Bedard and Owen Finlayson.

Hughes thanked the Lions Club, participants, and those involved in organizing such an event.

"I know how important it is, how much more independence a person can have when they have a guide dog," she said, sharing she has a friend who is vision impaired.

It takes a lot of dollars and effort, Hughes said, adding that it costs $25,000 to raise and train each dog guide.

The Lions Foundation of Canada provides dog guides at no cost to Canadians with disabilities.

There are six dog guide programs - canine vision, hearing ear, special skills, seizure response, autism assistance, and diabetic alert dog guides.

The Lions Foundation of Canada does not receive any government funding, relying on donations and fundraising events.

The Purina Walk for Dog Guides is the largest fundraising event of its kind in Canada.

Kerr added, the annual event also provides a chance for dog teams to share graduate stories and how the dogs have been a positive addition to their lives.

North has brought so much into the lives of Donald Bedard, Brenda Chartand and Donald's son, Miguel.

"The Purina Walk for Guide Dogs means being able to raise money to train others dogs so people can have the great gift like North,"  Bedard said.

Saturday marked the one year anniversary since two-year-old North came into the lives of the Sault Ste. Marie family.

Bedard said North has not only given freedom, but also more confidence, to he and his 10-year-old son.

"To be able to speak for the dog and autism, more active for awareness," he said. "It (autism) not only affects Miguel, it affects me a lot too."

Miguel was first diagnosed with autism when he was about four years old.

Chartand described life before North as chaotic with more anxiety going out into public, adding the couple were looked upon as bad parents.

"Now, if Miguel has having a bad day, people are more understanding," she said.  

"The community has been very supportive," Bedard added.