Soapy water flew off wagging tails Saturday as youth volunteers in Virgil turned bath time into a lifeline for future guide dogs.
The St. Davids LEO Club, marking its 10th anniversary, washed pets on May 17 and earlier on May 3, raising $500 for the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides.
The cash will be added to pledges at the 40th anniversary Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides on Sunday, May 25, at St. Davids Lions Park to support Canada Dog Guides in providing service dogs to qualified applicants for free.
The wash last Saturday was scheduled to run until 3 p.m., but wrapped up early as Susan Snider from the St. Davids Lions Club expected some families may be busy at the Virgil Stampede.
“People are so gracious and so generous in this community,” said Snider.
Most owners paid the $20 fee but some, like one man with a Doberman named Churchill, handed over much more.
“He gave us a $100 bill, and some people gave donations, and they didn’t bring a dog,” said Snider.
Service dogs are often very pricey: Each animal costs up to $35,000 to raise from a puppy to their graduation, and the Lions Foundation for Canadian Dog Guides receives no government funding.
Canada Dog Guides pairs dogs with Canadians who may need help with many different conditions, such as vision or hearing impairment, diabetes, epilepsy, autism and more.
“Getting these dogs changes their lives. It opens up their lives and gives them independence and confidence. It’s pretty amazing, and it’s very emotional when you go to the graduation,” said Snider.
Canada Dog Guides is able to provide these dogs to people who need them most for free through the support of Lions Clubs and the generosity of donors.
Snider praised the LEOs members for their willingness to serve the community at the fundraiser.
“These youths gave up their Saturday to wash dogs and give back,” said Snider.
Snider said the Lions Club and the LEOs are always looking for new members and help to fundraise for great causes like Dog Guides, which give back to the community.
Registration for Sunday’s Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides opens at 10:30 a.m., the first paws will hit the trail at 11 a.m.
