Page 8 - MARCH 2 , 2017 - martensville messenger
Complete Automotive and Tire Service Centre Open 7:30-5:30 Monday - Friday
FREE courtesy cars available
Accredited
109 Centennial Dr . North , Martensville 306.975.2140 Zwack Family Ever Grateful for Life Changing Lion ’ s Club Donation
Ivan , an autism service dog , was welcomed with open arms into the Zwack family home just last September . The Zwack family consists of parents Sherilee and Jeff , as well as their two children , Eric ( 4 ) and Olivia ( 7 ). At almost two years old , Ivan the poodle has been growing a relationship with seven year-old Olivia Zwack as her struggles with autism lessen with his help . Olivia is an autistic child who sought the need for further assistance in her day to day life . Parents Sherilee and Jeff Zwack did months of research until they found the perfect fit for their daughter ; however the costs for a service pup were becoming increasingly difficult to meet . Martensville ’ s Lions Club did more than their part in assisting this family , as they raised more than $ 12,000 in order to provide assistance to the Zwack ’ s . Countless fundraisers were put together by the club in order to cover the trip down to Oakville Ontario as well as the costs of getting the dog trainers to travel out to Warman to visit the family and assist with the bonding between Ivan and Olivia . “ The other disciplines that the dogs are trained for cost less than the autism assistance dogs . The Pet-Valu Walk for Dog Guides raises money for the raising , training and ultimately getting the dogs ready which is about $ 25,000 per dog ,” informs Chairperson of the Lions Club , Doug Ward . The Pet-Valu Walk for Dog Guides is a national fundraising walk held in more than 200 communities across Canada . It raises funds to help train Dog Guides for Canadians with visual , hearing , medical or physical disabilities . “ We are so grateful for the Lions ’ donation and Dog Guides , this is something we could not have done without the programs ,” said the everthankful Jeff Zwack . There is a walk coming up at the end of May ( Pet-Valu Walk for Dog Guides ) in our own city of Martensville in support of this wonderful organization .
The obtaining of Ivan took quite a bit longer than the norm as the family needed a hypoallergenic poodle for their daughter due to allergy reasons . The family had placed their application three years ago amongst a waiting list containing more than 300 people , and had received their service dog towards the end of September , 2016 . Ivan has since worked hard to gain the trust of Olivia , and now plays a major role in her everyday life . “ Simple things like going to the grocery store would formerly have to be strategically planned ,” said Sherilee Zwack . “ A pivotal point for us was a time when Olivia ran off , she was alone and local RCMP became involved . With Olivia being alone and non-verbal ...”
Ciara O ’ Reilly , Martensville Messenger
ABOVE : Olivia takes a seat along with Autism Service Dog , Ivan
Zwack shook her head as she droned off . Now , however , Olivia is tethered to Ivan which makes everyday trips possible . Ivan is heavy enough to restrain Olivia from running off , and when Olivia becomes overwhelmed and proceeds to have a meltdown , Ivan knows where he has to be and what he has to do in order to provide Olivia with the comfort she searches for . This companionship has allowed Olivia to be increasingly more independent and resilient , and she will only keep growing from here . Now inseparable , Olivia looks for Ivan before she lays her head down each night , and Ivan will also be attending school with Olivia in the near future at Warman Elementary as she enters the First Grade . In having the support of Ivan at school , this provides Olivia with additional and much needed structure and routine in her day to day life . A letter had been distributed from the principal of the school informing students that a service dog will soon be present , and advising that Ivan is merely a servicing tool that needs not be ‘ pet ’ as he wears his working vest unless permitted . The ultimate goal is to have Olivia provide the permission as to whether peers can or can ’ t pet Ivan . The Zwack family has had the full support of the school thus far , and are immensely happy to have everything fall into place . Ivans ’ career as a service dog is limited to approximately 8-10 years . The Dog Guides organization will be making routine checkups making sure that Ivan is being cared for properly , and any neglect in upkeep could result in him being taken away . After Ivan ’ s servicing career comes to an end , the pup will be free to live his remaining years as a dog and the Zwack family with also be given the option to adopt .
The Martensville District Lions Club will be organizing the Pet-Valu Walk for Dog Guides at the end of May , 2017 . For more information about the cause or how to get involved , contact Doug Ward at ( 306 ) 384-2283 or send an email via dlward @ sasktel . net .
BELOW : Martensville and District Lions Club Chairperson , Doug Ward
BELOW : The Zwack family poses for a picture along with Martensville and District Lions Club reps and Dog Guides rep .