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Local fundraiser set to doggy paddle on Lake Simcoe

Event aims to raise money for COPE program; 'We encourage people to choose a dog and paddle or walk on behalf of them,' says organizer

For the last two decades, Jane Boake has been “helping students help dogs to help people” at COPE Service Dogs in Barrie. 

Boake, who founded COPE (which stands for Canine Opportunity, People Empowerment) in 2000 says the organization raises and trains dogs to become service dogs for individuals with disabilities or to be placed in a facility such as a school, hospice or advocacy centre. 

“I became amazed at all of the things dogs could do and in particular how great you would feel when you could get them to do neat things like turn on a light with a nose or retrieve something. Just generally when you are training them with cooperative dogs, you feel great,” she said.

One of the unique programs COPE offers, she continued, is its Canines in the Classroom initiative, which gives high school students who face challenges that may prevent them from graduating from high school, an opportunity to learn how to train service dogs

“The idea came about because I knew there was a population of people that really needed to feel good about themselves," said Boake. "We target kids who need motivation to come back to school, who are struggling or who may have mental health issues that are preventing them from achieving success in school.

“This helps them become reengaged in school, builds their confidence (and) gives them lots of skills they can use later in their life when looking for a job, in relationships or even with parenting," she explained.

Initiatives like this, Boake said, are extremely important, which is why COPE is hosting Buddy Paddles Simcoe 2021, a virtual fundraising event slated for Aug. 21 to raise awareness and funds to further develop the canines in school program, where participants can paddle or walk in honour of one of the organization’s Canine in the Classroom dogs. 

“We have a gallery on our website that looks like trading cards that tells a bit about each dog. We encourage people to choose a dog and paddle or walk on behalf of them - or simply make a donation in support of that dog. Then we try to figure out who Buddy’s bestie is, which is the dog that raises the most money for the organization," she added.

The first event started in 2018 but looked a little different, Boake noted. 

“It was me and Buddy, who was retiring from Canines in the Classroom after 13 years of service and we paddled around Lake Simcoe. After that we changed it to allow anyone who wanted to participate,” she said, adding that the following year, people sponsored her and Buddy as they paddled from Barrie to Innisfil.

Last summer, the fundraiser was forced to go virtual due to COVID-19, but despite that, Boake said it ended up being their most successful year yet.

“It was the most successful year of all we’ve had in terms of fundraising dollars. We are really grateful,” she said, noting last year’s event raised approximately $25,000. “People were so generous and I hope people got to know our dogs a little bit. It was a great day.”

The idea for Buddy Paddles Simcoe, said Boake, came about simply because Buddy loved being on the water.

“Buddy loves being on my paddle board. I started out taking him on canoe trips and he loved that and then we crossed over to paddle boarding," Boake explained.

"I love the water, he loves the water and we love doing it so I just thought it was a unique way to raise awareness about the mental health benefits to kids who can learn from dogs in schools,” she said, adding she is hoping they can meet or exceed last year's fundraising total. “We are grateful for the support we get through this event and throughout the community through volunteerism. We couldn’t do it without them.”

To register for the event or to make a donation, click here