November • 2023
globalheroes.com The power of positive, solution-based journalism.
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Unleashing Hope and Care: Fulfilling Ned's Wish for Canine Heroes For human police officers, retirement often comes with a safety net, a comfortable pension fund to ensure well-deserved golden years. But Police and military service dogs do not have this luxury. When these hardworking canines retire from their duty, they step into an uncertain future devoid of the financial support they rightfully deserve. Police and military service dogs are special for more than a few reasons. These remarkable animals are bred and raised for their work, leading lives dictated and driven by their service in keeping our communities safe. As these dogs are typically raised and trained in work settings for their first year of life and are retired before they become unable to perform, a dog's working career spans approximately six to nine years. The physical demands of canine police work, coupled with the challenges of age, can affect the quality of life of retired police service dogs. Medical issues and associated costs can dictate how well, how long or even if police and military service dogs
can enjoy retirement. Ned’s Wish provides financial support for the medical care of retired police and military service dogs, bridging the gap between retirement and well-deserved care for these four-legged heroes. The only organization of its kind in Canada, Ned’s Wish exists because police services are required to focus public funds on current and next-generation police dogs. The all-volunteer organization steps in where public bodies cannot, working in partnership with the Canadian Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies across Canada to ensure K-9 retirees receive the best care and quality of life. Ned’s Wish provides support to retired police dogs and educates the public about these Heroes with Paws, like Police Service Dog (PSD) Duco. Having racked up over 150 criminal arrests and made invaluable contributions to public safety, Duco's career came to an untimely end due to an injury during a high-risk search warrant. Duco undoubtedly saved lives, and his journey reflects the
mission of Ned’s Wish. Just like their namesake Ned, every retired officer under the care of this organization has served as a frontline K9 officer, selflessly safeguarding the public. Their work includes apprehending criminals, detecting narcotics and explosives, and even rescuing lost children. It takes a special kind of dog to work tirelessly for our benefit, often in places simply too dangerous for a human officer to venture, and yet they ask for nothing more in return than praise and a chew toy. It is through generous donations that Ned’s Wish has been able to provide life-changing support to our Retired Police and Military dogs. We could not do it without amazing donors like you. Each donation carries the promise of a comfortable and dignified retirement for these furry heroes who have done so much for us. They save our lives, now it’s time to return the favour. You can learn more and donate at nedswish.com
ARRY © COURTESY OF NED'S WISH
DAG © COURTESY OF NED'S WISH
P S D A r r y, w h o s e r v e d Chatham Kent Police Service in Ontario, required surgery for a cruciate ligament tear. His medical costs exceeded $4,000. Donations made it possible.
PSD Dag, who served Calgary Police Service, required emergency surgery for chest abscesses and critical care, requiring over $18,000 in medical treatment. Donations made it possible.
BRANDO © COURTESY OF NED'S WISH
KYE © COURTESY OF NED'S WISH
PSD Brando, who served Vancouver Police Department, had a cancerous tumour in his ear and required surgery to remove it. His medical expenses exceeded $6,000, but donations made it possible.
PSD Kye has served York Region for nine years. Recently retired, Kye was tragically hit by a car. His injuries will require extensive surgery to repair, with costs likely to reach over $15,000. Donations have made it possible.
Elevate Your Breakfast Game with Spiced Pumpkin Pancakes Smashing news: here we have a spiced squash-themed stack for your year-round pumpkin-spiced pleasure. These, too, can be whizzed up in the blender for quick breakfast activation. If there’s any truth to the adage “You are what you eat,” we’re pretty confident we’re going the way of Cinderella’s carriage by the end of the day.
SPICED PUMPKIN PANCAKES Ingredient • 1 cup gluten-free oats • ½ cup pumpkin purée • ½ tbsp flax meal • 1-2 tbs maple syrup (optional) • ¾ to 1 cup Greenhouse Almondmilk • ½ tsp baking powder • ¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice • Pinch of cinnamon • Coconut oil for frying TOPPINGS:
• Maple syrup (naturally) • Coconut cream • Pumpkin seeds • Chia seeds • Chopped nuts • Whatever you desire Directions
© COURTESY OF GREENHOUSE
1 Blend all the pancake ingredients using a blender or food processor. (Or a gourd old-fashioned bowl + spoon). 2 Heat some coconut oil in a pan on medium heat. 3 Once hot enough to sizzle,
dollop your mixture into the pan in pancake-sized pools. 4 Cook until bubbles begin to form, then flip the pancake and cook the other side for about two minutes or until golden. 5 Once cooked, remove from heat and pile onto a dish. Extra points if you keep this warm in the oven. Repeat until your batter is finished. 6 Stack onto a plate, then pile on toppings of your choice before serving. ABOUT GREENHOUSE Greenhouse is a Canadian organic beverage company that’s making it easier to get your daily dose of healthy greens. With a wide range of cold-pressed juices, plantmilks, lemonades, kombuchas, and more, all packaged in sustainable glass bottles, Greenhouse ensures healthy products of the highest quality. Drinking a big bottle of fruits and vegetables is an easy and efficient way to soak up nutritious, plant-based energy. Much of the produce used in Greenhouse juices are purchased directly from local, organic farms. They also prioritize “seconds,”
the often overlooked, imperfect fruits and vegetables that might otherwise go to waste. By repurposing these misshapen treasures, Greenhouse not only curbs food waste but also contributes to the growth of new crops by returning the fibrous byproducts of their juices back to local farms as nutrient-rich compost. Additionally, the ginger pulp is upcycled into tea used in other products, and other vegetable pulps are upcycled into ready-to-eat food bowls. Studies have also shown that chemicals used in plastic bottles (even the safest ones) can break down and filter into whatever liquid is being carried—especially when the bottle is exposed to heat or sunlight. That’s why Greenhouse chooses to bottle their delicious drinks in sustainable glass bottles over plastic ones, and use 99.9 per cent plastic-free packaging. When producing drinks filled with healthy greens, as Greenhouse does, it just makes sense to package them in the healthiest way possible. In the spirit of community and generosity, Greenhouse has gone
above and beyond in their commitment to supporting local food banks and food rescue organizations. Last year, in celebration of their eighth birthday, they made a commitment to donate $100,000 worth of beverages to local food banks—and they went above and beyond, with staff also donating their time by volunteering at Parkdale Foodbank. By the end of 2022, Greenhouse donated $250,000, more than doubling their goal! Beneficiaries included renowned organizations such as Second Harvest, Richmond Food Bank Society, Food Stash Foundation, Parkdale Community Food Bank, and Vancouver Food Runners. “The rising cost of food— and particularly of fresh food like fruits and vegetables—has increased food insecurity, and put immense pressure on organizations like these,” Greenhouse shared on their blog. “We are thankful for all of their hard work in rescuing food and providing nutritious meals to the 4.4 million Canadians (1 in 8 households) who are food insecure.”
