Laura Joyce and Norma Jean are getting ready to do laps at Couchiching Beach Park, and they want the community to join them.
Norma Jean is Joyce’s five-year-old black Lab and they’ll be taking part in the 11th annual Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides in Orillia on Sept. 29.
“It’s an important thing to support because it not only helps people like myself, but it also helps people with seizures, post-traumatic stress disorder, hearing disorders. (Dog guides) help a variety of people,” Joyce said.
The Orillia woman, who is organizing the fundraiser with the help of Orillia Pet Valu owner Erin O’Reilly and the Lions clubs of Orillia, Oro and Washago, lost her vision when she was a teenager. Norma Jean is Joyce’s fourth dog guide since 1994, and Joyce doesn’t know what she’d do without her.
“She helps me with my independence, security and my peace of mind,” she said. “She’s my best friend.”
The Lions Foundation of Canada has a dog guides program, through which it trains the dogs and provides them at no cost to people in need. However, it costs $25,000 to $30,000 to train one dog.
“That’s why it’s so important to raise this money,” Joyce said. “Every dollar raised goes right to the care, feeding and training of the dogs.”
On the day of the walk, participants will gather at Pavilion 1 in Couchiching Beach Park. Registration starts at 10 a.m. and the walk will begin at 11. Registration can be completed on the day of the event or in advance online. There is no minimum pledge required, and anyone is welcome.
“It’s for all ages and fitness levels, with or without a dog,” Joyce explained.
For those who do bring dogs with them, there will be various prizes handed out after the walk.
McDonald’s will be providing free coffee for participants.
Those who can’t participate are still encouraged to stop by during the event.
“Come and say hi,” Joyce said. “If you’ve got a couple of dollars, drop it in the jar and support a great cause.”
