Bradyn Waterman and companion, Innis, led the way at the 2025 Renfrew Lions Club Walk for Guide Dog
The Renfrew Lion’s Club celebrated a small but enthusiastic parade of pooches over the weekend as they brought a old fan favourite back to the community.
Their annual Walk for Guide Dogs made it’s first trek through town in twenty years on Sunday afternoon, setting off from Ma-te-Way Park for a gorgeous round trip along the Millennium and K&P trails in an event that Lions Club member Diana Laroque hopes will re-establish their presence as community boosters.
Laroque, a long time supporter of the walk in Arnprior before shifting over to help revive the event locally, says this year’s lead walker and Guide Dogs Ambassador, Bradyn Waterman and his autism assistance dog, Innis, are proof of how much impact a guide dog can have in improving local lives.
She adds that the club did well for a first year fundraising for training local Guide Dogs, bringing in $4,000 dollars ahead of the event with more money on the way from their silent auction and other donations.
It’s a tally that she and event co-chair Sarah Smeltzer says is impossible without the buy-in of residents and businesses all over Renfrew.
Both organizers are encouraged by the results of the Walks first year back in Renfrew, and add that they will be doing even more to get the word of mouth out into the community for it’s second run next year.
(written by Kasey Egan)