By Cecilia Nasmith

The St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog program is pleased to invited you to their second annual Santa Claus For Paws fundraiser on Nov. 23.

They're especially pleased, branch administrator Amy Turcotte said, because last year's bazaar was such a success that they had to move it to larger quarters.

They were a little cozy last year setting things up at their St. John Ambulance headquarters, Turcotte recalled. Moving it to the nearby Columbus Community Centre means more space, more activities and displays, and certainly more fun for the people who come (and for the pets they are encouraged to bring along).

The large room will have 15 vendors set up, providing service or unique gifts for sale. The smaller room will be split in two – Santa Claus photos and nail trimming, with the auctions, raffles and K9 Crusaders (with their adoptable dogs) on the other side.

“We have had over 30 items donated for the raffles and silent auction – everything from movie passes to cooling dog beds to Shawn Mendes apparel and memorabilia,” Turcotte said.

She listed some of the vendors who will be attending, including Summer Bugs (crocheted and knitted items), Unique Gifts (jewelry, luxury bath items, dream catchers), Jane Wilkins (hand-made Christmas decorations, wreaths and centrepieces), Handmade Christmas (delicate scrolled woodwork as well as dogs and Christmas ornaments), Ilse Price (crocheted animals and dolls), Sew Baggy (wallets, purses, rope bowls), Earth Angel (health bracelets, bath soaks), Crafts With Cindy (signs, T-shirts, blankets, glasses), Endless Kreationz (signs, T-shirts, glasses, bags), Train, Play, Love (dog walking, training, classes and workshops), Jerry & Janet's Crafts (hand-painted birdhouses, feeders, lighthouses, smokers pots), Victoria Hall Volunteers (Victoria Hall apparel, fridge magnets, notelets, postcards), and Golden Rescue (calendars, cards, stocking stuffers).

As well, magnified healing expert Deborah Young will be present. Along with such wares as pendulums and pendulum mats, Young will offer magnified-healing sessions for pets at $10 each and humans at $20 each (with $5 from each session donated to St. John Ambulance). There will also be a $5 donation from the sale each pendulum at $20 each.

What would a Christmas bazaar be without bake-sale goodies. And Turcotte is pleased that professional photographer Chris Lotton is returning to share his gifts. Get a family photo (with or without Santa), and do include your pet as part of the family for a small donation ($10 is suggested, for which you receive a digital download.

And all for a good cause, Turcotte said.

The St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog program has been in Northumberland for about 20 years and currently has 37 dog-and-handler teams visiting 33 facilities. The list includes regional hospitals, nursing homes, long-term-care facilities, seniors' residences, hospices and the Warkworth Institution.

Qualified teams also work with children at schools and libraries, providing Bite-Free Presentations and assisting in the Paws For Stories program.

“To date, our members have made about 1,200 individual visits and contributed more than 3,000 volunteer hours to the community,” she estimated.

“Your support is very much appreciated. It will keep therapy dogs 'There To Care' in Northumberland County.”

The Columbus Community Centre is located at 232 Spencer St. E. in Cobourg, and Santa Claus For Paws runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.