Owners and pets walk for Handi-Dogs charity

Kristy Mangos Arizona Daily Wildcat Glenda Myers of Mesa and her dog, Candy, participate in the "Walk For the Dogs" Saturday morning on the UA Mall. The purpose of the philanthropy walk was to raise money for disabled and senior citizens with service dogs.

"It was entertaining and fun Ä the dogs loved it," said Tara Rice, a political science senior who walked her dog, Sophie. "It's for a good cause."

The first-ever "Walk for the Dogs" philanthropy was sponsored by Golden Key National Honor Society, a University of Arizona service club limited to the top 20 percent of the junior and senior classes, and Handi-Dogs, a Tucson program that helps elderly and disabled people train their dogs.

Carolyn Stanley, a former vice president of Golden Key and member of Handi-Dogs, said she came up with the idea for "Walk for the Dogs" after Handi-Dogs lost its pavilion in Reid Park when Hi-Corbett Field was expanded last fall.

Jessica Yingling, a biochemistry junior and newly elected president of Golden Key, said Handi-Dogs needed extra money because of the cost of relocating.

"As our first fund raiser, we picked something that everyone would like," Stanley, a religious studies senior, said.

The event started at 7:30 a.m. on the UA Mall. The volunteers and dogs walked 1 mile around the Mall and raised over $2,500 for Handi-Dogs.

After the walk, they watched a demonstration by the service dogs and their trainers.

Cote, a service dog for six years, responded to a ringing phone by retrieving it and bringing it to her owner, Katie Knight. Cote also nudged Knight when a police siren rang while she was in a car.

"All I can say is she's my life," Knight said.

Knight said the volunteers were very special and she appreciated the fund raiser.

Rosemary Besenick, Handi-Dogs trainer, said she instructs people to train their own dogs.

"The process of training dogs gives them a sense of independence and builds self-esteem. It makes them more than just a person in a wheelchair," Besenick said.

After the demonstration, some volunteers won free brunches at the Tucson East Hilton and baseball hats from Kaplan Testing. All participants received a 1997 "Walk for the Dogs" T-shirt.

Joy Valerius, a creative writing senior, who walked with her dog, Damba, said the UA should acknowledge the importance of service dogs.

"They're a big part of many students' lives on campus. It helps them to succeed," Valerius said.