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Rick Mercer Report comes to Algonquin College steph.willems@metroland.com
EMC news – Algonquin College students got their close-up on March 18, and for a good reason. The school received a visit from CBC television personality Rick Mercer, who was taping an episode of The Rick Mercer Report on campus following the release of fundraising numbers for his Spread the Net Student Challenge. Of all the post-secondary campuses involved in the antimalaria initiative, Algonquin came out on top, with $40,394 raised through the actions and donations of students and staff. The school’s goal was $15,000. A group of very enthusiastic students gathered in the Algonquin Commons Theatre to await the fundraising total and the appearance of the challenge’s creator. David Corson, president of the Algonquin Students’ Association, called the occasion “a celebration of hard work,” describing how the whole thing started last year when a student approached him with both a
dream and a plan to make it happen. “We said ‘what can we do,’ and it looks like everyone else said the same thing,” said Corson. “We had two months in which to achieve what we did, and that shows the size of the heart of Algonquin … You all came together – it’s amazing. You inspire me every day.” Algonquin College president Kent MacDonald praised his students for their generosity and energy, explaining that those qualities will take them places. “Every single one of us can be a leader in an organization like this,” said MacDonald. “The staff and faculty decided this was so important that they brought the idea forward, they had a dream and a goal, and you’ll hear shortly that it was greatly surpassed.” MacDonald congratulated the students for taking the initiative to take their learning outside the classroom, and for affecting change in the lives of people they’ve never met. Mercer – with his trusty cameraman – arrived onstage in distinctive showman’s style,
Television personality Rick Mercer brought his CBC show The Rick Mercer Report to Algonquin College on March 18, when he welcomed organizers and participants in the Spread the Net Student Challenge.
STEPH WILLEMS/METROLAND
walking out from behind an ascending panel, backlit, with artificial fog to amplify the effect. The students responded in a big way. “I realized when we started this contest that it was kind of an unfair contest,” admitted Mercer, describing how from the outset the winning school would be the one to get the publicity. However, he said, students
didn’t seem to care. “They believe in this, they believe in (Spread the Net), they believe it can happen, students like yourself,” said Mercer, describing the $1.1 million raised countrywide by students who supported the initiative. “You might be the biggest school in Canada, you might be the biggest college in Canada, but certainly Algonquin College, as far as I am concerned, you are the most generous.”
PET OF THE WEEK
All-you-can-eat dinner buffet: $19.99 R0011951215
Steph Willems
All guests must be 19 years of age or older with valid gov’t issued photo ID to enter the SLOTS & Dining Room; everyone 19-25 will be required to show a second piece of non-photo ID.
Pet Adoptions GINGER ID#A153509
PARKER ID#A152884
Ginger is a spayed female, white and cream Retriever mix who is just over a year old. She was brought to the shelter as a stray on February 23, but is not available for adoption. Ginger loves to play! She will need access to lots of toys to keep her entertained. She has a very friendly and sweet disposition when it comes to meeting people, but is uneasy around other dogs. Ginger will need to be introduced to new dogs on a regular basis, in a controlled environment with polite and friendly dogs in order to continue to learn appropriate meet and greet behaviour. Ginger will need an experienced owner who has the time to dedicate to her training and socialization. She would love a family with children over the age of 8, who will bring her for outdoor adventures. Parker is a neutered male, white and brown tabby Domestic Longhair cat who is about 3 years old. A good Samaritan found Parker wandering the neighbourhood on January 24 with an open wound on his face. Concerned, they brought him to the OHS in hopes that we could help him. While in our care, we treated and monitored his injuries until he was ready to be adopted. Parker is a playful but easy-going cat who loves to sleep on his hideand-perch box, and doesn’t seem to be bothered by the presence of other cats. Parker has been great with the children visiting in the Adoption Centre, and would be suitable to a family with children who know to be gentle with him. For more information about these or other animals available for adoption, please call the Adoption Centre at 613-725-3166 ext. 258 or visit www.ottawahumane.ca.
When is the right time to make a tough decision?
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12-5303 Canotek Rd.(613) 745-5808 WWW.TLC4DOGS.COM
0328
Time to make a grooming appointment
days, you’re making sure that your pet’s suffering is alleviated and that it is comfortable all the while. If you are thinking about palliative care for your dying pet, there are many practical issues that you should think about, and many questions that you should ask yourself before you decide to go this route. Your veterinarian will play a large role in the process. If you don’t have a vet, it’s your duty to get one so you can make informed decisions about the health of your animal. During the initial stages of a pet’s illness, if your veterinarian does not raise the topic of humane euthanasia, it doesn’t mean the topic is off limits. Some veterinarians may not broach the subject first, so make sure you initiate the conversation. Deciding to provide palliative care to a pet is something the whole family must agree on. The choice can be a costly one — both emotionally and financially — so everyone must be on board. Most importantly, you need to ask yourself who you are doing this for. As heartbreaking as losing a pet may be, you must always make sure that you are placing your pet’s welfare ahead of your own emotions. For more information and other companion animal tips, visit www. ottawahumane.ca.
Please note: The Ottawa Humane Society has many other companion animals available for adoption. Featured animals are adopted quickly! To learn more about adopting an animal from the Ottawa Humane Society please contact us: Website: lll#diiVlV]jbVcZ#XV Email: 6Ydei^dch5diiVlV]jbVcZ#XV Telephone: +&( ,'*"(&++ m'*Ottawa South News EMC - Thursday, March 28, 2013
0328.R0011993457
Boomer
Hello. My name is Boomer and I am seventeen years old. My Mom adopted me from the Ottawa Humane Society a long time ago. She said it was meant to be because we were born on the same day in January (but not the same year). My Dad is very allergic to me but when he married Mom he said that it didn’t matter one bit. Every Christmas I buy him a big box of Reactine to say thanks. As you can see from my picture I am very cute. My hobbies include sleeping and napping in my heated cat bed, rummaging in closets, licking plastic, rolling on my special mat and from time to time, being insolent. Lately I have developed a thyroid problem and must take some medicine twice a day. It tastes like chicken treats so what do I care. I know my name is Boomer but sometimes I am called the ‘Four-legged Alarm Clock’. I also have five spots.
Pet ownership brings many joys, but also tough decisions. Your pet needs love, care and devotion, and may sometimes require an ethical or moral choice be made on its behalf. Your companion animal cannot tell you when he or she is in pain and suffering, and as your pet reaches the senior stage in life, it’s importance to know your pet and his or her body language, and have a plan ready so that a tough decision is not put off too long because of emotions. Humane euthanasia can often be a very kind decision for an animal, and is certainly a more responsible and compassionate decision if you are no longer able to meet your pet’s care needs. It is important that, no matter what you decide, your animal’s welfare always comes first. If your pet has been diagnosed with a terminal illness or has begun to suffer increasingly from age-related ailments, humane euthanasia may eventually be the only option you have. Most people want to have as much time as possible with their pet before they have to say a final goodbye. Many believe that they can provide their pet with a good quality of life for some time to come. Your role is to recognize suffering and to provide care and relief to your animal. Palliative care for animals is much the same as palliative care for humans — you’re not just letting a dying pet live out its remaining
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