Gazette NORTH ISLAND
Publications Mail Agreement No. 391275
50th Year No. 21
May 21, 2015
www.northislandgazette.com
1 PLACE ST
2015 Newspaper Excellence
Newsstand $1.29 + GST
• TOURISM...
Partnership is the key to tourism success says speaker. Page 8
• HOSTEL...
North Coast Trail Hostel a hub for explorers. Page 11
Tiny Dancers
Kathy O’Reilly-Taylor photo From left to right, Bianca Barry, Amarys Vose, Olive Schmidt, Emaleigh May, students of Portside Academy of Performing Arts’ year-end show ‘Stars of Tomorrow 2015’ at Sunset School in Port McNeill May 9.
Family seeks service dog • MARATHON...
Port Hardy man masters 100 kilometre marathon. Page 12 OPINION Page 4 LETTERS Page 5 SPORTS Page 15-17 CLASSIFIEDS Page 18-19
By Kathy O’Reilly-Taylor Editor At their regular meeting May 12, District of Port Hardy council approved a request from Valerie McPherson for a letter supporting her family’s bid to get a service dog. McPherson explained in a letter to council, that her two-year-old son Ben was diagnosed with Autism a few months ago and the family is applying to receive a dog through National Service Dogs (NSD) based in Cambridge, Ontario. Since 1996, NSD has been training Labrador and Golden Retrievers to assist children and families living with Autism and is the first school in the world to provide this service. Over the last 18 years, NSD has placed almost 300 dogs across Canada, and helped ■ ■ ■ ■
various training schools around the world develop their own Autism programs. The dogs are valued at $30,000 over their eight to 10-year working life; however, each dog is provided free of charge to approved clients. NSD receives no government funding and relies entirely on donations from the general public, corporate sponsors, fund-raising events, and community supporters. The direct cost to the family is an application fee of $50, an equipment fee of $250, and the cost of travel, accommodations and food for a week of training in Cambridge. After they receive a dog, all food and veterinary costs are borne by the family. “These specially-bred and trained dogs are matched with each Autistic child to aid them
with their individual special needs, like keeping them safe from traffic, water and other dangerous situations,” McPherson wrote. “They can offer comfort and ease when simple noises and rapid action can be overwhelming for the child, and so much more. For Ben to have one of these dogs would benefit him and our family immensely.” One of the things required in the application process are reference letters and McPherson felt a letter from council would have a significant impact on the weight of their application and that the dog would be welcomed and a happy and positive member of the community. “It’s actually quite challenging to get one (a dog),” said Councillor Jessie Hemphill. The request was unanimously approved.
3 Bays for your Convenience Friendly Knowledgeable Staff Loyalty Program Open 9am-6pm, including Sundays
Mobile Shop While 7x2 You Wait! process Synthetic Oil Specialists!
Mariner Square Mall, Campbell River • #600-1400 Dogwood Street • 778-346-4111 NEWS: editor@northislandgazette.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS: 250-949-6225
SALES: sales@northislandgazette.com