A Walk That Changes Lives: What I Learned Creating This Short impact story
As part of the 40th anniversary Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides campaign, I had the honour of producing a short documentary that tells the heartfelt story of Alison and her Autism Assistance Dog Guide, Buttons.
The Walk for Dog Guides is a national fundraising initiative by the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, supporting seven specialized Dog Guide programs. Each one transforms the lives of Canadians with disabilities—and all are provided at no cost to recipients.
🎥 Leading the Production: From Idea to Impact
As the End-to-End Production Lead, I was responsible for managing the full creative pipeline—from concept to final delivery. Here's how the process unfolded:
🧠 Story Development
I worked closely with the Foundation to identify a story that would resonate emotionally and shine a light on the impact of the Autism Assistance Dog Guide program. Alison and Buttons’ journey offered a powerful, real-world example of how these dogs change lives.
✨ Creative Direction
My goal was to capture the human connection in a way that felt both intimate and empowering. I crafted an emotionally driven narrative and visual style that would connect deeply with viewers and align with the Walk’s broader messaging.
🎬 Filming & Post-production
I directed on-location filming to capture authentic, candid moments between Alison and Buttons, especially their bond and daily routines. In post, I shaped the footage into a compelling story, ensuring it was emotionally engaging, accessible, and on brand.
🎨 Brand Integration
Throughout the piece, I aligned visual and thematic elements with the Walk for Dog Guides’ identity—incorporating the campaign’s team colors, accessibility standards, and inclusive messaging.
📢 Impact & Reach
This video was deployed across digital platforms as part of the national campaign to:
Drive awareness and donations
Humanize the Foundation’s mission through real storytelling
Showcase the life-changing bond between a child and her Dog Guide
It served as a central storytelling piece in the campaign—helping viewers understand the tangible outcomes of their support.
👉 Watch the full short documentary here
See how Buttons is keeping Alison safe—and how your support helps change lives across Canada.
