VANCOUVER ISLAND DOGS CALENDAR CONTEST LAUNCHES TO SUPPORT SERVICE DOG TRAINING
Source: Comox Valley Record (Extract)
Posted: March 31, 2025
The 5th Annual Vancouver Island Dogs Calendar Contest is officially underway, raising crucial funds for Operation Freedom Paws Canada (OFP Canada). Organized by Pauliina Saarinen Photography, this fun and interactive online photo contest gives dog lovers the chance to support an important cause while showcasing their furry friends. The contest will run for five weeks, closing on April 30 at 9 p.m.
OFP Canada, based in Fanny Bay, trains and certifies service dogs for individuals dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress, Complex-Post Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury symptoms, and other physical, neurological, psychological, or mobility-related challenges. Training and certifying one service dog team costs $18,000. To date, the organization has graduated 58 Certified Service Dog Teams and currently has 14 teams in training.
The contest is hosted online at www.gogophotocontest.com/ofpcanada. To enter, participants can submit a photo of their dog with a $10 donation and start gathering votes by sharing their link with friends and family. Votes are $1 each, with a minimum donation of $5.
At the end of the contest, the top 12 voted dogs will secure a spot in the 2026 Vancouver Island Dogs Calendar and win other fantastic prizes generously donated by businesses across Vancouver Island and beyond. Contestants can also compete for weekly local prizes, which can be redeemed at participating businesses in various towns on the island. All proceeds from the contest and calendar sales will go directly to OFP Canada’s Service Dog Program.
“Each year, we’re blown away by the generosity and enthusiasm of our community,” says Pauliina Saarinen, professional pet photographer and contest organizer. “This fundraiser not only changes lives, but it also celebrates the incredible bond between people and their dogs.”
Since its inception in 2021, the Vancouver Island Dogs Calendar Contest has raised over $116,000, making it the largest annual fundraiser for OFP Canada.
To learn more about OFP Canada, visit www.ofpcanada.org.