Vermilion Lions Club To Host Annual Walk For Dog Guides

Lorna Hamilton Reporter

The Vermilion Lions Club is set to host their annual Walk for Dog Guides event at the CN station in the Vermilion Provincial Park on May 28th. Sign-in will begin at 1 p.m., and the walk will start at 2 p.m. The event is a family and dog-friendly one, welcoming participants of all ages and abilities.

The Walk for Dog Guides raises funds to provide life-changing Dog Guides to Canadians with varying medical and physical disabilities, including canine vision, hearing, service, seizure response, Autism assistance, diabetic alert, and facility support. One hundred percent of the funds raised will go towards the training and placement of Dog Guides. Since 1985 Walk for Dog Guides have raised more than $21 Million.

Lorna Hamilton Reporter

According to Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, the event has been carried out for more than 33 years, and the Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides has been a vital national fundraiser in support of Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. National events take place in approximately 300 communities across Canada.

Providing specially trained Dog Guides increases the independence, mobility, and safety of their handlers. The Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides relies on the generous support of volunteers, donors, and partners to meet its goal of giving Canadians a new “leash on life.” Despite the approximate $35,000 expense it takes to raise, train, and place each dog, each eligible Canadian receives a dog guide at no cost to them.

“We have been doing the walk here in Vermilion for the past 12 years and have raised a substantial amount of money for the cause. I am very happy for all the help from Barry Clampit and the members of the Lions Club in organizing the walk. I am also thankful for all the supporters that come out each year; this dog walk is very special to me,” said Jimmy Cryderman, Lions Club member and organizer of the Walk for Dog Guides.

Cryderman stated that there have been people participating from Vermilion, Lloydminster, Mannville, and Dewberry over the years. If you would like to fundraise for the Dog Walk, you can contact Barry Clampitt at 780-853-1188 or Jimmy Cyrderman at 780-581-8432.

The Walk for Dog Guides is an essential event that helps improve the lives of Canadians with varying medical and physical disabilities. The Vermilion Lions Club are looking a successful fundraiser to continue providing life-changing Dog Guides to those in need.

Does Your Furry Friend Need Some Training?

Do you have a furry friend who could benefit from some training? Whether it’s jumping up on people, not coming when called, chewing on everything in sight, or housetraining, Kathy Conway of Kathy’s Dog Obedience may have the solution you need.

Conway, a professional dog trainer with 40 years of experience, has competed in many levels of competitive obedience, Rally 0, tracking, herding, and pet therapy at seniors’ facilities. She has put over 100 titles on dogs and continues to take courses from top dog trainers. Her exper- tise and experience have allowed her to donate dogs for Seeing Eyes dogs and become a certified Canine Good Citizen tester for the Canadian Kennel Club.

Conway offers a variety of courses to help dogs of all ages and breeds at her dog training school located North of Innisfree. Lessons are taught in a 40 X 40 shop with solid rubber matting, and courses are offered in Spring, Summer, and Fall.

“I have taught obedience classes to all types of dogs and people including those who have special challenges, and I teach group or private lessons,” said Conway.

For puppies aged 9 weeks to 5 months old, Puppy Kindergarten is the perfect course to teach basic commands such as sit, stand, down, walk nicely on a leash, come when called, stay, and do a play retrieve. Socialization and fun are also essential aspects of this course. Families with children are encouraged to join this level.

Novice Dog Obedience is for dogs aged 6 months to 8 years and teaches heel on a leash, sit, down, and stand stay. Novice Polishing is for those who have already completed Novice Dog Obedience and teaches off-leash heeling, stays, and formal retrieving.

For more advanced dogs, Open Obedience teaches off-leash work with a retrieve on the flat, retrieve over a jump, broad jump, drop on recall, and out of sight stays. Utility is for dogs that have completed Open Obedience and teaches hand signals, scent discrimination, seek back, directed jumping, and a moving stand.

Agility is an introductory course for dogs to go over obstacles, tunnels, jumps, weave poles, teeter totter, and A-frame. This is a great activity for any dog, regardless of age or breed.

Conway’s training methods are gentle, fun, and positive, but also firm when necessary. Positive motivational training methods are used. Her accomplishments include Top Australian shepherd in Canada for obedience in 2017. She has raised Golden Retrievers since 1987, with many of them excelling in confirmation and obedience.

If you’re interested in signing up for one of Conway’s courses, contact her dog training school today at 780-592-2360 or by email at kathysclasses50@gmail.com.

Dawn grew up in Vermilion where she owned Kinniburgh Jewellers and was a constituency assistant to both the MP and MLA.

Dawn grew up in Vermilion where she owned Kinniburgh Jewellers and was a constituency assistant to both the MP and MLA.

Dawn, lab and research technician, businesswoman, economic development associate, advocate and community volunteer, and author.

Dawn, a lab and research technician, businesswoman, economic development associate, advocate and community volunteer, and author.

Dawn was a founding member and chair of the Main Street Committee and served as a member of the Vermilion Valley Lodge renovation.

Dawn continues to support several organizations as a way to use her experience and passion for community and service.

Through her experience and passion for community, Dawn Flaata will speak for ordinary Albertans and work to nd solutions to the real issues facing us today.

Dawn was a founding member and chair of the Main Street Committee and served as a member of the Vermilion Valley Lodge renovation. Dawn continues to support several organizations as a way to use her experience and passion for community and service.

Lorna Hamilton Reporter

The Alberta Envirothon, an annual competition for high school students, was held at Lakeland College Vermilion Campus from May 3 – 5. The competition was a three-day event that began with welcoming the competitors and orientation on day one. Day two consisted of a learning day and oral presentations, while day three was the testing and awards day. The competition focuses on testing students’ knowledge of environmental science and natural resource management in Alberta, with the theme for this year’s competition being Adapting to Climate Change: How Planning Can Help.

The competition consists of five components, namely, Aquatic Ecology, Forestry, Soils and Land Use, Wildlife, and Current Issues, each of which is worth an equivalent value towards the final score. Testing is worth 50 per cent of the final score, with each test carrying an equal weight. The oral presentation component scores the teams based on a scenario provided relating to the current issue, and it is worth 50 per cent of the final score. Final team placements are determined by adding the test scores and the final oral presentation score. The top three team scores are awarded cash prizes and trophies.

The purpose of the Alberta Envirothon is to develop knowledgeable, skilled, and dedicated citizens who can solve complex environmental issues, act as stewards of the environment, and have a desire to learn more about the environment and natural resource management. The competition is open to high school students from grades 9-12 and those planning for careers in science and resource management.

Established in 1997, Alberta’s Envirothon has up to 15 teams that have competed in the past, representing schools and clubs from all over Alberta,