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Golden Opportunity Assistance Dogs
Impacting lives ... one dog at a time!
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London, ON

IN MEMORY OF A FRIEND
Sad puppy

“For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” John 3:16

On September 25, 2017 we lost a very special friend,  Ann VanSickle of London, ON. Annie...or Aunt Ann as she was known to our dogs started out as one of our clients, being paired with a soft and gentle golden retriever named Willow.  It wasn’t too long into the partnership however before Ann became an avid supporter of the work of ALL the dogs at Golden Opportunity Assistance Dogs. She loved every single one.  Ann lived with a progressive neurological disability called Charcot Marie Tooth disease but she never let that stand in her way of anything she set her mind to do. 

Ann and Willow

Ann VanSickle

She was a determined individual and was not about to let the pain and challenges of her disability stop her from living her life to the fullest. It may have slowed her down but it definately didn’t stop her for 72 adventurous years!  One of her passions (and there were many) was to educate people about the value of service dogs and in particular to encourage young people with disabilities, through her own example of independence, to reach for the stars and rise above whatever challenges life throws at them. She was a woman of strength and character, wisdom and grace. A woman who spent her life reaching out to others to make their lives better or easier and one who found much joy in the simple things of life; family, friends and of course her many beloved service dogs, Tucker, Keep’er and Willow. 

Our hearts go out to her family. Her loss will be felt deeply for sure, particularly in their lives, but we live in the hope of a reunion one day in the heavenly realm when our journey too will find it’s rest.  Let those of us who remain continue to run with endurance, as Ann did, the race that is set before us.
Ann loves Kindal (2)

LEAVING A LEGACY

Ann LOVED the goldens at Golden Opportunity Assistance Dogs  and was so eager to support them and champion their cause as she knew first hand how much they touch hearts and change lives...the very things she spent her life doing.  If you would like to honour Ann’s memory in a lasting way, consider making a memorial donation in her name, which could help to provide a service dog to someone else who could benefit from the assistance these loving goldens provide.  It will be a living legacy to a kind and gentle soul who has impacted so many!  Ann would no doubt be smiling to learn that her life will continue to make an impact in this way...“One dog at a time!”

Donations may be made by cheque or via the PayPal link below.

Cheque donations can be sent to:
Golden Opportunity Assistance Dogs
1413 Helena Montague Ave,
 London, ON  N6K 1Z3
Attention: Ann VanSickle Memorial Fund

Memorial gifts may also be made online via Paypal using a credit card.  Simply click the Paypal button below.

Golden Opportunity Assistance Dogs is operated as a social enterprise and as such is unable to issue tax receipts for donations given.  Be assured all donations received enable the provision of servcie dogs for individuals with disabilities. Thank you for your generosity.

Copyright 2007 © Golden Opportunity Assistance Dogs. All rights reserved.
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