Ride for Farley: MEDIA ALERT: Ontario Veterinarians Cycle 261 km for Seniors, Disabled Individuals & Women at Risk of Abuse
Posted: September 11, 2007 | News Bites Home

Milton, ON — 21 veterinarians and animal health industry professionals from around Ontario will cycle more than 260 km in a single day (a projected 10-hour ride!!) to raise funds and awareness for the Farley Foundation – a charitable organization which assists seniors, disabled persons and women at risk of abuse (in OVMA’s SafePet Program**) with the emergency veterinary care of the pets that mean the world to them.

Canadian artist and cartoonist Lynn Johnston has created exclusive artwork for Ride for Farley which will be featured on original Ride for Farley cycling gear manufactured solely for this event. The artwork features the original Farley character* riding alongside a cyclist. (see the image at www.farleyfoundation.org)

Each cyclist will attempt to raise a minimum of $1,000 for people and pets in need. During last year’s ride, 12 individuals raised in excess of $15,000. This year’s ride is expected to raise close to $25,000.

When: Thursday, September 13, 2007

Where: The ride begins at 7 a.m. in Mindemoya, ON

The 261 km bike ride is expected to take 10 hours

The ride concludes at Killarney Mountain Lodge, Killarney, ON

2 Photo opportunities

A. 12 p.m. (approximate) – 261 km riders only will be present at this venue.
Lockerby Animal Hospital – P. 705.522.4555
2178 Armstrong St, Sudbury ON P3E 5G9

B. 4:30 p.m. (expected time) – Watch the full set of riders come in from the day’s ride.
Killarney Mountain Lodge, Killarney, ON – P. 1.800.461.1117 or 1.705.287.2242
For directions, visit: Killarney.com

Details: First set of riders will start at 7 a.m. in Mindemoya. They will complete the first 160 km in Sudbury where they will be joined by the remainder of the riders. The entire group will continue on to Killarney Mountain Lodge, Killarney – 261 km in total (Mindemoya to Sudbury to Killarney).

261 km Riders:
Dr. Dale Scott, Scott Veterinary Services (Mindemoya)
Darren Osborne, Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA, Milton)
Dr. Shawn Bruch, College Manor Veterinary Hospital (Newmarket)
Dr. Mike Finnigan, Main West Animal Hospital (Welland)

100 km Riders:
Dr. Ted Kilpatrick, Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic (Bowmanville)
Dr. Sandy Cook, Cook Veterinary Services (Bowmanville)
Dr. Christina Karkanis, Blue Sky Animal Hospital (North Bay)
Mike McCubbin, spouse of Dr. Christina Karkanis (North Bay)
Dr. Jim Hysen, Lockerby Animal Hospital (Sudbury)
Jennifer Newland, Novartis Animal Health Canada Inc (Mississauga)
Donni Ellis, Baywood Animal Hospital (Midhurst)
Dr. Marie Hardy, Veterinary Locum (Waterloo)
Dr. Stephanie Marquette, Cassells Animal Hospital (North Bay)
Dr. Robin Roscoe, Lynwood Animal Hospital (Nepean)
Dr. Kristin Baird, Oakville Animal Clinic (Oakville)
Dr. Louise Langlais, Hespeler Animal Hospital (Cambridge)
Dr. Carol Sanio, Minden Animal Hospital (Minden)
Laurel Harper, Blue Sky Animal Hospital (North Bay)
Dr. Jeff Berry, Southampton Pet Hospital (Southampton)
Alex Brill, Hill's Pet Nutrition (Mississauga)
Paul Fisher, Barrie Veterinary Hospital (Barrie)

The Farley Foundation assists seniors and disabled persons on limited incomes to afford emergency veterinary treatment for their pets. Established in 2002 by the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, the Foundation has distributed almost $300,000 to assist over 900 pets.

*North Bay native Lynn Johnston created the Farley cartoon character as part of her syndicated comic strip, For Better or For Worse® The beloved English sheepdog was a member of the comic strip’s Patterson family, and died while attempting to save April Patterson, who had fallen in a ravine. The Farley Foundation is named in honour of this much loved character.

**OVMA’s SafePet Program assists women at risk of abuse (and their children) who are entering women’s shelters to make the final decision to leave abusive situations by providing temporary housing and care for their pets while they are in women’s shelters. Women seeking shelter, should contact a local women’s shelter or call 1.866.863.0511 (TTY 1.866.863.7868). Individuals interested in becoming pet foster parents should contact a local veterinarian or visit www.ovma.org for details.

For more information about the Farley Foundation or Ride for Farley contact:

Nadia Vercillo, Manager of Communications and Public Relations, nvercillo@ovma.org
Farley Foundation 1.888.262.9811, ext. 4
Ontario Veterinary Medical Association 905.875.0756/1.800.670.1702, ext. 15