ARNPRIOR — According to the Canadian Survey on Disability, 2017, one in five Canadians had disabilities that limited them in their daily activity. Which is why this spring, Canadians and their four-legged friends are preparing to walk together for the Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides. This year’s walk will be held in approximately 300 communities across Canada, many of these walks will take place on Sunday, May 26, the national walk date. The largest fundraising endeavor of its kind, the Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides helps to raise, train and place Dog Guides with Canadians who have a medical or physical disability.

The Arnprior Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides will take place on May 26 at 12 p.m. at Robert Simpson Park, 400 John St. North, Arnprior.

“Our foundation provides service dogs to Canadians at no cost and with no government funding, therefore we rely on the success of the Walks in order to continue to do that,” Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides communications manager Maria Galindo said. “Approximately 300 walks are taking place in Canada.”

Each of the walks is organized by local volunteers with support from Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides and Pet Valu stores. Held annually, the Walk has raised more than $17 million to-date. Thanks to the generous support of our title sponsors Pet Valu and other sponsors such as Rayment & Collins, Cadillac Fairview, VIA, VISA and GoodLife, 100 per cent of the funds raised by each walker will go directly towards the seven Dog Guide programs: 

• Canine Vision Dog Guides, for people who are blind or visually impaired
• Hearing Dog Guides, for people who are deaf or hard of hearing
• Service Dog Guides, for people with a physical disability
• Seizure Response Dog Guides, for people who have epilepsy
• Autism Assistance Dog Guides, for children on the autism spectrum
• Diabetic Alert Dog Guides, for people who have diabetes with hypoglycemic unawareness
• Support Dog Guides, for professional agencies with individuals in traumatic situations

While each Dog Guide costs an average of $25,000, they are provided free of charge to qualifying Canadians. Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides receives no government funding and relies solely on donations from individuals, corporations, and fundraising activities. This is why the Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides is so important.

By participating in the Walk, you can help provide life-changing Dog Guides to Canadians with disabilities. For more information, to find a Walk and register or to make a donation, please visit

www.walkfordogguides.com.