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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Mine-sniffing dog is soldier's Afghan legacy

By: Staff Writer

5/02/2010 1:00 AM | Comments: 1

Wendy Hayward, mother of Cpl. James Arnal, Sean Best and dog named Santana raised money for a dog. (BORIS.MINKEVICH@FREEPRESS.MB.CA )

A Canadian soldier killed while serving in Afghanistan always wanted a dog.

Thanks to the mother of the late Cpl. James Hayward Arnal, his dream is coming true.

Wendy Hayward set up a foundation in memory of her son that raised more than $20,000 to purchase and train a mine-detection dog to work in the country where her son lost his life in 2008

The dog, named Jimmy in memory of her son, is a two-year old Belgian shepherd-Malinois, being trained in Bosnia before he begins his life-saving work in Afghanistan.

The dog was purchased in December by the Canadian Landmine Federation and is being trained by the Canadian International Demining Corp.

"James was an ordinary person doing extraordinary things and leaves us with that legacy," his mom said in a prepared statement.

"I am pleased that his inspirations continue on in the hearts of so many and in this very special dog."

Hayward, who founded Carpe Diem 88, a registered charity in honour of her son, made the announcement at the University of Winnipeg Thursday with fellow Canadian Landmine Federation board member, Lloyd Axworthy, the U of W president. The former foreign affairs minister earned a Nobel prize nomination in 1997 for his efforts to eradicate landmines.

Mine-detection dogs are said to be one of the most successful, productive, safe and efficient means of demining and returning the land to productive use.

They've proved adept at identifying the location of mines, without coming into direct contact with them.

For more information see:

www.carpediem88.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 5, 2010 A4

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1 Comments

Posted by: Wendy

February 5, 2010 at 2:02 PM

Please visit www.carpediem88.ca for pictures of our dog named Jimmy! Jimmy is training alongside his colleague Wesley, a mine detection dog purchased through the University of Winnipeg. Thank you to everyone that contributed and donated to make both "pet" projects a reality!