Who Let the Dog(Owners) Out?

Posted by president@kilconaparkdogclub.ca / in Events, Information, News /

  – by Robyn Maharaj

It was a night where the dogs were left at home as Kilcona Park Dog Club (KPDC) held its first Bud-Spud Fundraising Dinner Friday November 7th at Canad Inn located on Regent.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with this style of event, not-for-profit groups such as ours hold Bud-Spuds which can raise much needed funds for projects like the Splash Pad.

As you know, having a clean water option at the park is even more critical now thanks to the study conducted by KPDC (see related article on water quality findings elsewhere on the site) so with that as a priority, the fundraising committee organized a fantastic evening of food, folks, and fundraising.

Bud-Spud tickets were $20 and included dinner (steak or meatless option with an add-on of grilled mushrooms, a baked potato, garlic stick, salad, and side of vegetables) plus an alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) drink from a specified list.

There were also chances to buy silent auction tickets, 50/50 (a total of just over $300 was raised and split between the dog club and a lucky ticket winner), and door prizes. Big screens throughout The Oak Room displayed lovely photographs of the park and past dog club events taken by members.

It was also a chance to meet and mingle outside of the park in a sheltered, spirited environment and a great opportunity for club members to invite their own circle of family and friends out for a night with funds raised going towards a great cause.

KPDC members Phil Werbiski and Corrie Shore

Photo credit: Vince Pahkala

KPDC Board member and Fundraising Chair Maria Conley explained that the Bud-Spud was a first for her as an event organizer but liked the social aspect of the evening plus the chance to promote the park while visiting and meeting new people who love dogs and frequent the park regularly. But fun could also be had for those who don’t have dogs or who aren’t club members but support what the club does.

Another Board member and Secretary Kathleen Kirkman invited several friends from her former workplace to attend as it was a great excuse to see each other, visit, and catch up. One lucky lady in her group even won a silent auction prize which included the canoe excursion and she was thrilled with her package which was one of 15 prizes, each valued at approximately $300-$400 in donated merchandise and services.

And the winner is…KPDC member Toni Zacharias!

Photo credit: Vince Pahkhala

——————————–

About Robyn Maharaj

Robyn is a writer, fundraiser, marketer and former arts administrator who works as a freelance grant and feature writer. She’s a fundraiser for a Southern Florida medical foundation for adult stem cell research. Robyn’s writing and poetry has been published in Canadian literary journals,

newspapers, magazines and anthologies.

A member of Kilcona Park Dog Club’s Marketing Committee, Robyn recently helped the club secure a $20,000 grant for park improvements, developed the “Number Two Clue” responsible pet education initiative, and promoted KPDC’s campaign to elect a dog-friendly Mayor and Council. An enthusiastic volunteer at fundraising and park stewardship events, Robyn is seen below serving up tasty dog treats at the Bone Appetit Bistro.

 Photo credit: Paul Cote/Siberian Studio

Making a Splash Fundraiser

Posted by Kilcona Park Dog Club / in Events, Information, News /

Making a Splash Fundraiser

Kilcona Park Dog Club Inc. (KPDC) is the official park steward for Kilcona Park. Our group raises funds to provide park improvements. A major project we are supporting is the Make a Splash Campaign which is raising funds to bring potable water to the park as well as to build dog wash stations and a splash pad.

We are hosting a Bud, Spud and Steak Fundraiser on Friday, November 7, 2014 at Canad Inns Transcona.

Tickets are available via fundraising@KPDC.ca, our website: kilconaparkdogclub.ca or via our facebook page. We will also we out in the community at our Gold Sponsor – Pet Valu Reenders, or at Kilcona Park.

Tickets are $20 each and includes a Drink (Bud), potato (spud) and Steak (along with all the trimmings). We will be having a 50/50 draw, door prize and silent auction.

On behalf of Kilcona Park Dog Club Inc and the dogs that we love, our many thanks for your anticipated support.

 

Gold Sponsor – Alpine Animal Hospital Offers KPDC Members Free Seminars and More!

Posted by president@kilconaparkdogclub.ca / in Features, Information, News /

Alpine Animal Hospital – by Robyn Maharaj

For more than a generation, healthy things have been happening for dogs and cats at 10 Keenleyside Street. Back in 1978 when very little was developed commercially or residentially around there, Winnipeg Spay and Neuter Clinic was the main place in town offering such services to pet owners. Fast forward almost 30 years and now Alpine Animal Hospital (but technically carrying the registered WSNC name) remains at that location offering much more in the way of veterinary services.

Photo credit: Robyn Maharaj

According to Dr. Jim Standish (one of a conglomerate of individuals invested in Alpine and its sister veterinary clinics) new technologies and communications capabilities has vastly changed and improved veterinary medicine.

Jim Standish DVM

Photo credit: Robyn Maharaj

“We do very few spay and neuters as compared to the early days when that was the primarily focus of the practice. Because of the changing nature of how dogs are being adopted, most animals are spayed and neutered through the Winnipeg Humane Society and through various rescues,” Standish says, who along with his partners purchased Alpine in 2006.

The clinic was remodeled to accommodate additional examination/ treatment rooms, a retail area specializing in quality pet food, as well as space for laser surgery, dental, laboratory, pharmacy, and patient kenneling. Alpine Animal Hospital treats primarily dogs (75%); cats (25%); and the occasional rabbit.

Photo credit: Robyn Maharaj

Alpine’s day-to-day typically consists of vaccinations, annual check-ups, consultations and diagnosis, disease, injuries, and growths that require surgery and animal euthanization which Dr. Standish says is fairly typical of most vet offices – however, Alpine does offer some uniquely specialized services including orthopedic, soft tissue and laser surgeries; nose and throat surgeries, and dentals services.

Dr. Jaswant Singh, an Alpine Animal Hospital owner and veterinarian believes that new technology provides those who care and treat animals with complete and detailed information that helps them diagnose and create possible treatment plans quicker than ever.

“This information then allows us to provide our patients (pet owners) with as realistic and accurate a picture as we can provide. They want that when deciding what to do next with a pet that is sick. Results are also much quicker so we can begin a treatment program or medication immediately,” Dr. Singh says.

Dr. Jaswant Singh

Photo credit: Robyn Maharaj

The two biggest areas of concern that are at the forefront of canine health are obesity and dental disease. Obesity due to overfeeding and lack of enough daily exercise – according to Dr. Standish dogs should be tired when they return from a walk which should be daily if possible. Off-leash dog parks such as Kilcona Park are great places for dogs to walk, run, and play enough to benefit from exercise.

“Walking a dog – especially bigger dogs – a couple of blocks is just not enough. Exercise for dogs is a cure for many things including shedding unwanted weight but also lessens anxiety often correcting bad behavior, and provides excellent stimulation,” says Standish, who graduated from veterinary school in 1978.

Dental care is also an important part of a dog’s health care system as problem teeth and bad dog breath are one way that disease can be detected by a veterinarian. Dr. Singh recommends starting the teeth brushing process with puppies so they get used to having it done. There are also dental chews available that are also good at removing plaque buildup while cleaning the dog’s teeth in the process.

Alpine Animal Hospital offers monthly seminars that are free and open to the public (you can confirm your attendance by calling or e-mailing as seating is limited to 20 – refreshments are also served) and are conducted by staff on topics such as puppy basics, nutrition, geriatric diets for dogs, canine obesity, pet insurance. It provides an opportunity to ask a veterinarian a question on a relevant and current topic free of charge. Alpine Animal Hospital staff also believes in participating in public community events hosted by dog clubs and rescues as it allows them to provide a service at a discount (usually micro-chipping canines) but also to meet and talk to dog owners about the pet issues concerning them.

Alpine’s Micro-chipping Clinic at KPDC’s 2014 Fall Dog Fest

Photo credit: Siberian Studios/Paul Cote

According to Dr. Standish, Alpine Animal’s Hospital overall philosophy for its patients is to be knowledgeable, caring and friendly. However, his own personal philosophy when it comes to treating animals is simple.

“I think it’s important to do what is needed and to use a sensible approach. What is important to do for the dog/cat and what is important to do for the owner of that pet.”

___________________________________

About Robyn Maharaj

Robyn is a writer, fundraiser, marketer and former arts administrator who works as a freelance grant and feature writer. She’s a fundraiser for a Southern Florida medical foundation for adult stem cell research. Robyn’s writing and poetry has been published in Canadian literary journals, newspapers, magazines and anthologies.

A member of Kilcona Park Dog Club’s Marketing Committee, Robyn recently helped the club secure a $20,000 grant for park improvements, developed the “Number Two Clue” responsible pet education initiative, and promoted KPDC’s campaign to elect a dog-friendly Mayor and Council. An enthusiastic volunteer at fundraising and park stewardship events, Robyn is seen below serving up tasty dog treats at the Bone Appetit Bistro.

Photo credit: Siberian Studios/Paul Cote

 

Last Chance! Don’t miss out.

Posted by Kilcona Park Dog Club / in Information, News /

Making a Splash RAFFLE Tickets

This is the last week to purchase your 2014 Make a Splash raffle tickets. All Monies raised go directly to bringing potable water to Kilcona Park! Purchase this week, draw is Friday, October 24, 2014! We have less than 100 tickets left!

Raffle tickets are only $5 with three prizes to be won.

First Prize: $500 GenuWine Gift package which includes a
Mahogany Wine Rack, Aerator, Glasses and other wine accessories ($350 value). Also includes a $150 gift basket from Banville & Jones.

Second Prize: $225 in gift cards. $50 Olive Garden, $50 The Keg,
$50 Boston Pizza. 3- $25 gift cards from Sprockett’s Doggy Daycare.

Third Prize: Mini Wii ($100 value)

Raffle tickets are available now at the following sponsors’ locations until close Thursday, October 18, 2014:

PetValu Reenders
PetValu Rivergrove
Sprockett’s Doggy Daycare
Or email: fundraising@KPDC.ca

The Board, your Board is working hard at making improvements to the Park and we need YOUR help! Be the change you want to see in the park. We can’t do it with out you.

Raffle Licence#MGCC 5597-RF

WATER QUALITY TESTS CONFIRM KILCONA PONDS ARE MAKING DOGS SICK

Posted by president@kilconaparkdogclub.ca / in Information, News /

The retention ponds in Kilcona’s off-leash area are some of the city’s most contaminated bodies of water, with alarming levels of fecal bacteria. They are not safe for dogs and dragon boaters planning to use the proposed race course are also at risk.

E. coli bacteria levels at the popular “Dog Launch” on the south canal reached 4600 bacteria per 100 millilitres of water at the end of September — more than 23 times Health Canada’s recommended safe limit for swimmers and more than four times the limit for secondary recreational users, such as canoeists, kayakers and paddle boaters.

E. coli bacteria are associated with fecal contamination and are known to cause gastro-intestinal illnesses – diarrhea and vomiting – and infections of the skin and mucous membranes. According to Health Canada’s standards, when total coliforms are present at any level, water is not safe for human consumption. And while animals can generally tolerate higher bacteria loads than humans, the fecal coliform guideline limit for livestock is 100/100 ml. The safe limit for swimming is 200/100ml and 1000/ml for boating.

According to environmental technologist, Caitlin Doucette, who collected the pond water samples, “The 4600 bacteria cells in100millilitres is very worrisome. It’s definitely an indicator that the water is affecting the dogs with infections. The interesting thing I find is that the E.coli and the total coliforms are the same in the south sample, which likely means that the E.coli is very bad, as it’s the primary bacteria overtaking the water.”

Kilcona Park Dog Club’s Board of Directors had pond water samples analysed at ALS Environmental laboratory to try to determine why so many dogs that use the off-leash dog park are getting sick. In recent years veterinarians in Kilcona’s catchment area have confirmed that many dogs have developed gastrointestinal, urinary tract and skin diseases after swimming in or drinking retention pond water.

Last year, the City of Winnipeg’s Solid Waste Services Division admitted that bacterial levels were high but did not indicate exactly how high. In an email to Al MacDonald, a long-time Knowles Street resident whose property backs onto Kilcona, A/Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Officer, Chris Kozak wrote, “We also do surface water testing on the ponds and compare them to guidelines. The microbiological parameters (total coliforms and E.coli) in the ponds from wildlife is very high, but typical of surface water and may not be suitable for swimming.”

At the end of July KPDC’s Board asked the City’s Water and Waste Department to turn over its Kilcona surface water quality test results. The City initially agreed, however, after compiling the report, the administration refused either to release it or to respond to the Board’s emails and phone calls. The Board appealed to NK Councillor Jeff Browaty and the report was eventually released in mid-September. The City’s report indicated much lower levels of coliforms and E. coli than ALS Environmental found in its samples.

The stalling tactic meant a delay in sampling. Doucette believes bacterial levels are much higher in the summer. “During the summer, it’s that combination of relatively stagnant water, high temperatures for a long period of time and lots of sun. All you need is a small amount of E. coli and good nutrients. As soon as you have those conditions, it’s a perfect storm.”

Kilcona Park Dog Club has launched an educational campaign to raise awareness among dog owners about the health risk, advising people to keep their pets out of the ponds. KPDC’s President has repeatedly asked the City to do more to minimize the danger to dogs by installing the same water quality warning signs that are posted around retention ponds in the on-leash area, since the off-leash is where dogs are at greatest risk of being exposed to contaminated water.

In August, when the bacterial count reached similar levels in Vancouver’s False Creek, the dragon boat society shut down its operations for three weeks after paddlers reported getting rashes from the water. Ann Phelps, manager for Dragon Boat B.C. says, “…there is always the risk, the danger in your mind that you could get sick. You could get an infected eye or something similar to food poisoning or worse.“

The new Kilcona Park Management Plan, approved by City Council in September calls for the creation of a new 600 meter race course for dragon boats, kayaks and canoes in the northwest retention pond.

Further tests for bacteria and other contaminants will be carried out next summer.