20th National Service Dogs Easter Egg Hunt draws close to 200 dogs at Plunkett Estate

National Service Dogs Easter Egg Hunt at the Plunkett Estate

The grounds at the Plunkett Estate were filled with dogs, and easter eggs Friday for the 20th annual Easter Egg Hunt in support of National Service Dogs (NSD).

It is one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for the non-profit organization with a goal of raising $85,000.

“We receive no government funding and all of our dogs go out the door free of charge to clients,” says Rachel Braden, a member of the client service team with NSD.

“We have service dogs for veterans, first responders, service dogs for children with autism and facility dogs as well that work in the community and various social service organizations. Events like this allow us to continue to do that”.

Among the service dogs in attendance Friday was Merel – the first ever court-house dog in Ontario- who is now an ambassador dog. Heartly who is in the counselling department at Fanshawe College and Virgil, who currently works at the London Court House with children who are involved in the criminal justice system

“He is absolutely essential,” says Rose Van Weiren, who works in the child witness program at the London Family Court Clinic.

“When children are going through the criminal justice system, he is able to bring a smile to their face. He is able to provide that extra comfort, those extra cuddles, something to help with their stress levels during that very difficult process.”

Each participant in the egg hunt donated to the cause and had the chance to find special prizes hidden in the eggs.

It’s a day that change the lives of an individual, opening up a whole new world.

“We have veterans who talked about how before they had a dog, they weren’t able to leave their home,” says Braden.

“Now that they have a dog, they’re out in the community and engaging. It’s the same with our service dogs for children with Autism. Kids are taking them to school with them. They’re just opening up doors that weren’t open for them, in the past, and really just walking alongside them as they do their daily life.”

The London, Ont. event was one of many across the country with others taking place in Kitchener, Guelph, Hamilton, Windsor, and Calgary.