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www.oakvillebeaver.com Living Oakville Beaver LIVING EDITOR: ANGELA BLACKBURN The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday May 30, 2007 - 15 Phone: 905-845-3824, ext. 248 Fax: 905-337-5567 e-mail: angela@oakvillebeaver.com · WEDNESDAY, May 30, 2007 Going for a walk can help others By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Best friends are co-workers S uzanne Heimler and her dog guide Dora are inseparable. They have been together for more than three years and Dora, a special skills dog from the Dog Guides of Canada, is literally a lifesaver for Heimler. It's relationships like theirs that the Purina Walk for Dog Guides on Sunday is out to sponsor. It's the 23rd annual fundraising event to support Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides -- the Purina Walk for Dog Guides -- that will take place in more than 160 communities across Canada, including Oakville -- home of the dog guide facility. Heimler, 51, is an Oakville native, who lives with several medical challenges. Dora is one of several categories of dog guides that are available -- for the visually and hearing impaired, and what's called special skills dog, which is what Dora is. Heimler suffered brain injury believed to be caused by the use of forceps during her birth. She has epilepsy, cerebral palsy and is paralyzed on the right side of her body though she does walk with the aid of braces. While Heimler said her medical challenges are not as visibly apparent as they could be, it's the epilepsy that causes DEREK WOOLLAM / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER TOGETHER THROUGH IT ALL: Dora, a special skills dog guide from the Lions Foundation helps Oakville native Suzanne Heimler remain independent. her the most difficulty, she said. With her father recently moved to a long-term care facility, Heimler lives with her mom, Helen, who is 87. From adolescence through to her early 30s, Heimler said her epilepsy wasn't problematic, seemingly it disappeared, but then surfaced again and is currently at a point where she takes numerable anti-seizure medications. With seizures occurring mostly during her sleeping hours, it's Dora who Heimler depends on for help. Before Dora arrived, Heimler said she used to have to throw something at the wall so her mom, who is somewhat hard of hearing, could come to her aid during a seizure. Now, Dora can go for the assistance that Heimler needs. See A best page 18 Creative We Know MORTGAGES LOANS · LINE OF CREDIT "We specialize in hard to place mortgages" 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Mortgages Residential and Commercial Debt Consolidation Power of Sale Refinancing No Up Front Fees Up to 100% Financing O.A.C. Apartment Buildings and Construction Loans Self Employed and Discharged Bankrupts Buy, Sell and Arrange all Types of Mortgages Equity Financing - No Income Required Private Funds for Unqualified Bank Deals IDEAS FOR YOUR FOR YOUR HOME June 22, 23, 24 Coronation Park www.oakvillefestival.com International Pool & Spa presents Sue Warden's HandsOnHome The best of decor tips, products & services for the do-it-yourselfer, expert advice from designers, builders and garden specialists. Enjoy it at the Waterfront Festival KINGSWAY INVESTMENTS LTD. Oakville Corporate Centre, 710 Dorval Drive, Suite 520, Oakville Effort Square, 105 Main Street East, Suite 1510, Hamilton Oakville 905-815-8400 · Hamilton 905-526-6300