Halifax’s Quinpool Road to host a walk for service dogs Sunday

A dog guide named Yazar is pictured. (CTV file photo)

For the second year in a row, the “Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides” is taking place on Quinpool Road in Halifax.

The fundraising walk will begin at the Oxford Taproom at 1 p.m. and end there, too. Dogs are allowed in the venue.

The Quinpool Road Main Street District Association is partnering with Pet Valu and the Lion’s Club to help raise funds to support those in need of service dog guides.

Bridget Landry, manager of the Pet Valu on Quinpool Road, said they’re surrounded by a wonderful community.

“It was kind of just a no-brainer for us all to get together to support such a wonderful cause,” she said to Crystal Garrett on CTV Your Morning Atlantic.

There are 82 active dog guides in Nova Scotia, Echo is one of them.

Madison Law is hard of hearing and said she couldn’t imagine not having Echo around.

“She gives me independence and confidence and security to go about life without having to worry about missing a sound,” Law explained.

When someone calls Madison’s name, Echo will bring her to them. When the phone rings at work, Echo places a paw on Madison. If there’s an emergency, like a fire alarm, Echo will spin in front of Madison.

The pair have been together since 2021. Madison says her dog guide has been with her for many formative moments, including her Undergraduate degree, moving to Nova Scotia from Ontario and starting her Master’s at Mount Saint Vincent University.

“She’s given me the confidence to face all of those challenges while keeping me safe at the workplace, at home, outside, everywhere,” she said.

Landry says they’re hoping to raise $1,500 for this year’s walk, a goal they accomplished last year.

Registration for the walk begins at noon at the Pet Valu on Quinpool Road.

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