August 23, 2008
Vancouver dog show aims to raise money for guide dogs.

Guide dog in training, Aaron, and its trainer Ashley Clark leads a young blindfolded boy through an obstacle course Saturday as the B.C. Guide Dog Services was the fundraising subject of the West End Dog Show. (HOSEA CHEUNG, 24 HOURS)

It was all about barks and tail wags Saturday in downtown Vancouver as the first ever West End Dog Show aimed to raise money for charity.

All types of canines, and their owners, took to the Nelson Dog Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to not only enjoy the festivities, but to support the B.C. Guide Dog Services.

Event founder and organizer Jason Lamarche says it's important to acknowledge a noble charity that provides help for visually-challenged individuals.

"It's great to rally behind these independent charities and help them get a little more recognition and attention in the local community," said the 31-year-old dog owner. "It was just a perfect event for me to go forward with."

With about 1,000 people expected to attend throughout the day, contests - such as the softest dog and dog-owner look-a-like - and doggie fashion shows highlighted the crowd entertainments, whereas a charity barbeque fed the hungry.

Although there is no fundraising goal in mind, co-organizer David Mahjour says that it costs $40,000 to train one guide dog.

"That's a lot of money, and if we can raise enough to get one dog trained for one blind person, that would be absolutely ideal," he said.

With all proceeds going to the B.C. Guide Dog Services, Mahjour hopes to see the dog show become a permanent annual event in the west end.

"It's a perfect location because it's a magnet for dog owners, and it's such an enriched cultural community," he said. "We definitely want to make it a yearly event."