Local vet and cartoonist helping women at risk of abuse

The Farley Foundation
News Release

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Milton, ON — This weekend 10 veterinarians and animal health industry professionals from around Ontario will cycle more than 320 km through northern Ontario to raise funds and awareness for the Farley Foundation – a charitable organization which assists seniors, disabled persons and women at risk of abuse* with the emergency veterinary care of the pets that mean the world to them.

Canadian artist and cartoonist Lynn Johnston has created exclusive artwork for Ride for Farley which will be featured on original Ride for Farley cycling gear manufactured solely for this event. The artwork features the original Farley character* riding alongside a cyclist. (see the image at www.farleyfoundation.org)

Each cyclist will raise a minimum of $1,000 for people and pets in need. During last year’s ride, 21 individuals raised in excess of $23,000.

2008 Ride for Farley Details:

This year’s Ride for Farley will take place in two stages. The first set of cyclers (listed below) will begin their journey on Thursday, September 11, departing from Mindemoya (Manitoulin Island) at 7 a.m. to complete a 240 km journey to Laurentian Lodge in Elliot Lake. This leg of the Ride is expected to take about 8 hours, with the cyclers averaging in excess of 30 km per hour.

The three riders will then meet up with colleagues at the Northern Ontario Veterinary Association’s conference which takes place this year at Laurentian Lodge. The second leg of Ride for Farley 2008 takes place on Saturday, September 13 when both groups listed below will ride a challenging 80 km through the rugged Deer Trail (north of Elliot Lake). The full set of riders will depart from Laurentian Lodge at 2 p.m. and are expected back at the Lodge at approximately 6 p.m.

Participants who will cycle 320 km (240 km + 80 km):

Dr. Dale Scott, Scott Veterinary Services (Mindemoya)

Darren Osborne, Ontario Veterinary Medical Association
(OVMA, Milton)

Dr. Shawn Bruch, College Manor Veterinary Hospital
(Newmarket)

Participants who will cycle 80 km:

Dr. Renee Bourque, West Park Animal Hospital
(Hamilton)

Dr. Ted Kilpatrick, Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic
(Bowmanville)

Dr. Jim Hysen, Lockerby Animal Hospital
(Sudbury)

Dr. Stephanie Marquette, Cassells Animal Hospital
(North Bay)

Dr. Carol Sanio, Minden Animal Hospital
(Minden)

Lisa Wood, Lynwood Animal Hospital
(Registered Veterinary Technincian, Canadian Veterinary Dental Tehnician)
(Nepean)

Marie Ramoutar, Veterinary Student, Ontario Veterinary College, Class of 2009
(Guelph)

The Farley Foundation assists seniors and disabled persons on limited incomes, and women at risk of abuse* to access non-elective veterinary care for their pets. Established in 2002 by the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, the Foundation has distributed almost $500,000 to assist over 1,400 pets.

*North Bay native Lynn Johnston created the Farley cartoon character as part of her syndicated comic strip, For Better or For Worse®. The beloved English sheepdog was a member of the comic strip’s Patterson family, and died while attempting to save April Patterson, who had fallen in a ravine. The Farley Foundation is named in honour of this much loved character.

**OVMA’s SafePet Program assists women at risk of abuse (and their children) who are entering women’s shelters to make the final decision to leave abusive situations by providing temporary housing and care for their pets while they are in women’s shelters. Women seeking shelter, should contact a local women’s shelter or call 1.866.863.0511 (TTY 1.866.863.7868). Individuals interested in becoming pet foster parents should contact a local veterinarian or visit www.ovma.org for details.

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