CALEB NICKERSON
SHAWVILLE May 2, 2018
A young woman in Shawville is organizing a fundraiser walk for service dogs that will take place later this month.
The Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides is an event that takes place in over 300 communities across Canada and is affiliated with Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides.
Chelsea Smith is currently organizing the first ever walk to take place in Shawville, on May 27 at the Shawville Fairgrounds.
She explained that it costs upwards of $25,000 to train and place a guide dog, and the Lions Foundation works to provide them to those in need, free of charge. She added that assistance dogs aren’t just for people with vision problems, but can also be used to help those with seizures, autism or hearing impairments.
The walk has been taking place for over 30 years and has raised a cumulative total of over $15 million in support of its mission.

She said that attendees will have the option of either a three or six kilometre route, starting at the fairgrounds and venturing down the PPJ. The local Lions Club, of which Smith’s father is a member, will be providing a barbeque on site as well. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the walking getting underway by 11 a.m.
“You can [walk with] a dog or not, so long as they’re on a leash,” she said.
She said she started the event because she knew there were people in the community with a wide range of medical issues that could be assisted by the program, and wanted to boost awareness.
“I thought, there’s more and more people here with health limitations,” she said. “Lot’s of people don’t know what the dogs can do.”
Smith’s mother Debbie added that they had asked Shawville native Mike Hodgins to speak prior to the run.
Those looking to pick up pledge forms can find them at the House of Inspiring Flowers at 118 Victoria Avenue, or call 819-647-3878.
Chelsea encouraged those wishing to participate to set a fundraising goal and stressed that the walk is a family-friendly event for all ages.