ItB次元官网网址檚 rare that a charitable organizationB次元官网网址檚 volunteers outnumber the people it supports, but when it comes to dogs, many, it seems, are eager to offer a helping paw.
White RockB次元官网网址檚 Liz Cowley contacted Peace Arch B次元官网网址 this week to bring awareness to a charity that takes four-legged friends out for a walk if circumstances prevent their owners from doing so.
In CowleyB次元官网网址檚 case, she had knee surgery and was unable to take her two-year-old rescue dog, Kevin, out for some fresh air. She enlisted the help of Elder Dog Canada.
Four times a week, Cowley said, a volunteer from Elder Dog Canada would swing by her place, pick up Kevin, and take him for a walk.
It was such a benefit, Cowley said, that she volunteered her services in an outreach capacity to give back to the organization that helped her in a time of need.
B次元官网网址淚t was wonderful,B次元官网网址� Cowley said. B次元官网网址淚 would have been stuckB次元官网网址� How would I have walked my dog? I live on my own and he wouldnB次元官网网址檛 have had any walks while I was (recuperating) and itB次元官网网址檚 a free service.B次元官网网址�
Cowley put PAN in touch with Elder DogB次元官网网址檚 Christina Saremba.
Saremba said the organization has about 300 volunteers at its disposal in the Lower Mainland, but only about 40 clients who use the service.
The organization is searching for more clients who can not only make use of its walking services, but some of its other dog-care supports.
B次元官网网址淭he other is transportation,B次元官网网址� Saremba said. B次元官网网址淪ometimes seniors donB次元官网网址檛 have a way to get their dog either to the groomer or the vet. So we help with that as well.B次元官网网址�
Volunteers also offer minor grooming services. For example, Saremba said, they have a client who can walk his dogs, but his knees donB次元官网网址檛 allow him to brush his golden Labrador.
B次元官网网址淗e needs to be brushed quite frequently. So we have some volunteers go by a couple times a week and brush. WeB次元官网网址檙e talking minor grooming,B次元官网网址� Saremba said.
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Saremba said the organization will also pick up dog food or supplies and offer some fostering services.
B次元官网网址淓ither the (senior) knows ahead of time theyB次元官网网址檙e going to go to the hospital for, perhaps, surgery. So they would like to arrange for one of our fosters to look after their dog or dogs,B次元官网网址� she said.
Some seniors, Saremba said, refuse to go to the hospital unless they can find a caregiver for their dog.
B次元官网网址淢ore often than not we get calls from hospital social workers or family members that hear about Elder Dog and they have a senior that wonB次元官网网址檛 go to the hospital because someone has to look after their dog. WeB次元官网网址檒l do that.B次元官网网址�
On some occasions, Elder Dog will re-home a dog if a senior moves into long-term care or subsidized housing where they canB次元官网网址檛 keep the pet, or if the senior passes away.
B次元官网网址淲e will look after re-homing,B次元官网网址� Saremba said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e not a rescue organization. WeB次元官网网址檝e got to be clear about that.B次元官网网址�
Saremba said COVID-19 has led to a significant increase in the number of people willing to volunteer for the organization. Since December, they have received more than 100 applications.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 grown exponentially. ItB次元官网网址檚 crazy.B次元官网网址�
While the number of volunteers drastically outnumbers clients, Saremba said the organization is still accepting applications because some areas still need coverage.
An Ontario filmmaker, meanwhile, recently premiered a documentary about the organization.
Dwight Storring of Kitchener, Ont. aired B次元官网网址楧ogB次元官网网址檚 Best FriendB次元官网网址� on YouTube at the end of January to bring awareness to the efforts made by Elder Dog Canada.
Elder Dog was founded in Nova Scotia in 2009 by Dr. Ardra Cole and now operates across the country.
The 50-minute film explores B次元官网网址渢he life-changing stories of five families and their dogs. Viewers will meet an aging Great Dane, an athletic German shorthaired pointer, a wire-haired rescue dog, two French bulldogs, and a bull mastiff as they navigate their changing family circumstances.B次元官网网址�
For more information about Elder Dog visit www.elderdog.ca or contact 1-855-336-4226 or email info@elderdog.ca
