Local radio stations, Q100.3 and The Valley 106.3, will be hosting Dogs for the Deaf’s 2016 installment of its largest annual fundraiser, Dog Walk. This year marks the 25th Annual Dog Walk and it will take place at Jacksonville Elementary School (655 Hueners Lane)  in Jacksonville, Oregon. This year’s theme is The Silver Screen.

The public is invited to participate in this annual event, which will take place on Saturday, May 14, 2016 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Dog Walk and its associated festivities offer fun for the entire family. The day includes a one mile round trip walk, contests, a poker walk, raffles, and educational booths.

There are several ways you can help us reach our fundraising goal, and you can even participate if you don’t have a dog or can’t attend the event.  All proceeds will be used to support Dogs for the Deaf’s training and outreach programs.

Since 1977, Dogs for the Deaf has been providing a safe environment for dogs entrusted to our care as we strive to professionally train them to help people and enhance lives, maintaining a lifelong commitment to all dogs we rescue and all people we serve.

Dogs for the Deaf trainers go to shelters throughout the western United States to look for dogs that meet the requirements to be an Assistance Dog. Dogs that pass an initial evaluation are brought back to the Central Point facility for professional training. Any dog unable to complete its training is placed in a loving, forever home. No dogs are returned to the shelter.

Hearing Dogs are trained to alert their partners to a variety of household sounds including the smoke alarm, doorbell/knock, telephone, alarm clock, oven buzzer, and someone calling the person’s name. Hearing Dogs increase independence and security for their clients.

Dogs for the Deaf’s Program Assistance Dogs are placed with professionals (teachers, physicians, counselors, therapists, courtroom advocates, etc.) who work with people with disabilities or emotional trauma. The dog accompanies the professional to work and is trained to interact with patients, clients or students to provide motivation or a calming effect to enhance treatment, learning and development.

Tours at the Dogs for the Deaf training facility in Sam’s Valley are available at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. weekdays. Call 541-826-9220 or go to DogsForTheDeaf.org for more information.

To sponsor or register for Dog Walk 2016, visit www.dogsforthedeaf.org/dog-walk.