The presentation for tomorrow, with VSP, Victim Services and Wicket...has been changed.
I scheduled the event about a month ago. Last week when I was trying to get hold of the gal at Victim Services she was not getting back to me. Monday of this week I contacted Joanne Yewchuk who was involved with the project. Joanne finally got hold of Victim Services to learn that the gal, J'Nell, was no longer with Victim Services. Joanne was also in contact with Very Special Paws, the training organization providing our dog.
Wicket was due to finish her training in the next month and be in our community. In all likelihood that will not happen. Of course the new employee of Victim Services has not been determined. In addition this person needs to be the handler.
In conversation with Joanne she is very hopeful this situation will get resolved and we will be able to get on with the partnership. This may take some time.
Joanne tells me that Michelle from Very Special Paws will be at the vigil tonight regarding the Humbolt Broncos players with several of the service dogs she is training.
I have been able to arrange for Shari Ratsoy, of Parkland Food Bank to speak tomorrow. Shari did visit our club last September but thinks there are new items and trends to talk about that are important.
I have also asked her to speak about some of the trends she sees in our community that go beyond the Foodbank. These include items like, family violence, homelessness, mental health and poverty. Her comments and observations might be of interest as our club will be initiating a regional discussion related to family violence in the coming months.