Kayla Aolick got her freedom back four and a half years ago, when she received her seizure response dog, Shadow.
Since then, she has paid her good fortune forward by hosting an annual fundraising walk. This year she has organized the Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides, happening Sunday, May 28 at Blair Park in Port Alberni.
Bosley’s Pet Valu is this year’s sponsor (Purina formerly sponsored the walk), and proceeds will benefit Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, which paired Aolick with Shadow.
“The money from the walk goes to programming and training dogs,” says Aolick. There are four other dog guides from the Lions Foundation in the Alberni Valley—all dogs assisting people who are living with autism, she said.
The Lions Foundation program in Oakville, Ont., has six different dog guide programs: Canine Vision, Autism Assistance, Service, Seizure Response, Hearing and Diabetic Alert.
Registration for the walk begins at 12:15 p.m. at Blair Park at the walk starts at 1 p.m. Registration is free, and can also be done in advance online at www.walkfordogguides.com.
Bosley’s will be on site with their mascots, and there will also be a barbecue.
For more information on the walk, please call Kayla or Sheila at 250-724-3393 or e-mail angelchild92@shaw.ca.