Congrats go out to a Burnaby resident and her pooch who successfully passed the international certification for wilderness and rubble searches.
Jeanette Van Dijk and her K-9 partner, Phoenix, went through testing from Sept. 15 to 17, and were judged by Jaroslav Sedlak from the Czech Republic. He was sent to Canada by the International Rescue Dog Association.
“In order to have passed this test, Ms. Van Dijk and her K-9 partner have worked long hours each week under sometimes very harsh conditions, and acquired some very specific and demanding skills,” reads a press release.
The International Rescue Dog Association is a partner to the United Nations and provides a uniform standard to countries across the world, ensuring that search dogs are trained and certified at the highest level.
“It is with great pride that the Canadian Search and Disaster Dogs Association will now be dispatching Jeanette and Phoenix to communities in need,” says the release. “Their certification in rubble searches will allow them to assist in the search for victims trapped in collapsed structures and response to natural disasters.”
The pair are now officially on the dispatch list for international missions in case of major earthquakes, tsunamis and typhoons.
Way to go!
Foundation gets a boost
The Down Syndrome Research Foundation recently received a generous donation of $3,000.
The money came from the Lohn Foundation and will support the organization’s educational programs.
“We are so grateful for the foundation’s investment in our students,” says Maria Marano, head of events and community relations, in a press release. “As an independent charitable organization receiving no ongoing government funding, community support turns potential into reality. Each investment enables us to hire qualified teachers, registered speech language therapists ... while keeping program fees manageable for our families.”
The Down Syndrome Research Foundation also received a $3,000 donation from the Surrey Cares Community Foundation.
SAVE THE DATE: Oct. 26 to 28
The Tommy Douglas library branch is hosting a Community Reading Festival from Oct. 26 to 28.
The family-friendly event is being organized by Culture Chats, a non-profit that promotes cultural diversity.
“Three different events are planned on each day to celebrate language and literature from different cultures,” says Sangeeta Bhonsale with the Burnaby Intercultural Planning Table.
On Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to noon, there will be language-based games and literary expressions.
On Oct. 27, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Miriam Matejova will be reading from Wherever I Find Myself, a compilation of stories by Canadian immigrant women.
The following day (Oct. 28), from 2 to 4 p.m., it’s all about intercultural story time. Attendees can discover children’s folk and fairy tales from different cultures, and read and share their stories. (This is recommended for kids aged three to 10 years old.)
The library, located at 7311 Kingsway, will provide light refreshments and some prizes. Entry is free.
Correction
I need to apologize for a mistake made in the Sept. 15 edition of the NOW.
The front page story about a petition calling for the City of Burnaby to fast track laneway housing had the incorrect email address.
The correct email is [email protected].
