photo of Jimmy, courtesy of CIDC
WINNIPEG, MB – The mother of a fallen Canadian soldier, Wendy Hayward has raised over $20,000 to purchase and train a mine-detection dog that will work in the same country that took her son’s life. A Dog Named Jimmy, in memory of her son Cpl. James Hayward Arnal, will live out its life in Afghanistan. James had always wanted a dog, and now Wendy is seeing James’ dream come true.
”James was an ordinary person doing extraordinary things and leaves us with that legacy and I am pleased that his inspirations continue on in the hearts of so many and in this very special dog. Many, many thanks to all our supporters and the Canadian Landmine Foundation, heroes in their own right.” said Wendy Hayward.
Wendy Hayward, Founder & President of Carpe Diem 88 and Board Member of the CLMF, along with Dr Axworthy UWinnipeg’s President and Vice-Chancellor and Board Member of the Canadian Landmine Foundation (CLMF),unveiled pictures today of Jimmy already in Bosnia training his heart out! Axworthy has been an integral player in the Ottawa Treaty* which earned him a Nobel Peace Prize nomination in 1997 while he was the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Jimmy is a two and a half year old Belgian Shepard-Malinoa, being trained in Bosnia before he begins his life-saving work in Afghanistan. Jimmy had been purchased by the CLMF in early December 2009 and is being trained by the Canadian International Demining Corporation. Jimmy is training alongside his colleague Wesley, UWinnipeg’s mine-detection dog.
Mine-Detection dogs are one of the most successful, productive and safest ways of increasing the efficiency of demining and returning the land to productive use. These incredible dogs are remarkably adept at identifying the location of mines, without coming into direct contact with them. CIDC’s training has the health and safety of the dog as their primary concern and none of their dogs have ever been hurt or injured in the line of duty.
* Ottawa Treaty (formally the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction).
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Carpe Diem 88 was created in memory of Cpl. James Hayward Arnal, for ordinary people who wish to do extraordinary things. Humanitarian work is needed all over this world and at home, Carpe Diem 88 Inc. is here to provide funding for those ordinary people who want to participate. www.carpediem88.ca
