Manage stress better with inpowr ™ - Montreal team develops a new way of measuring well-being

MONTREAL, June 5, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - inpowr, the first auto-coaching app to rate and manage your well-being, is now available at the Apple Store and soon on Play Store (Android version). The app's advanced algorithm developed in Montreal brings a new approach to personal growth by allowing anyone to monitor their well-being. Designed to facilitate daily routines and practices that will lead to a more balanced life, the user is guided toward concrete steps that can be incorporated proactively into their lifestyle. By customizing simple everyday steps, and receiving prompts and feedback, each user designs their own tailor-made plan to manage the negative effects of stress and restore a state of well-being. In a nutshell, inpowr empowers anyone to become their own well-being coach.

Logo : inpowr (CNW Group/inpowr Self-improvement inc.)

These days, society and the workplace place an unparalleled level of pressure on people (financial, work-family balance, health problems). At the same time, the effects of stress are well known and easily recognizable: drop in energy, relationship problems, poor decision-making, fatigue, worry and anxiety. inpowr places a wellness coach right in the pocket.

Michel Chioini, co-founder and CEO of inpowr explains: "For 15 years we have been working on developing inpowr inspired by the principles and practices of Serge Jeudy, a recognized researcher and Master Olympic Coach. Over the years, more than 8,000 people have tested the theories and shown us that there is a real need for such a tool. In fact, the first results following the pre-launch of the application confirm what we've known all along."

HOW DOES THE APP WORK?

By measuring one's physical, mental and social well-being, a person can identify imbalances that affect them. Through inpowr the user answers a series of questions to arrive at an accurate well-being score. Depending on the results, the user chooses which areas they wish to address and sets goals through small daily steps. A reassessment is done every 7 days in order to compare the results, and to measure results based on the steps taken to restore balance.

inpowr is available free to download in English and French. A range of subscription rates is offered, (monthly or annual).

www.inpowr.com
www.facebook.com/inpowr
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0kXdSUOlK8

About inpowr
inpowr is a Montreal-based company specializing in the monitoring and management of wellbeing. We believe that each person has the potential within themselves to achieve and maintain physical, mental and social balance through self-directed concrete and realistic steps and to achieve a greater self-awareness based on these practices. inpowr aims to create positive change in society. It's the first mobile auto-coaching app designed to monitor and manage your well-being with principles and practices based on those of an Olympic Master Coach. Our app identifies areas of imbalance and assists you in your aim for a more balanced well-being.

About R&D Capital
R & D Capital, a Canadian financial institution specializing in the financing of refundable tax credits at the federal and provincial levels, supports the research and development of inpowr. Financing products are adapted to the field of activity whatever the stage of development. Their services provide access to funding for refundable tax credits in research and development (SR & ED), multimedia, electronic business (CDAE) and cinema.

Through the sound management of tax credits and with an impressive track record in terms of "win-win" partnerships, R&D Capital aims to enable every client to obtain financing before their formal application for reimbursement. www.rdcapital.ca

An access code to test the application is available on request.

^™inpowr is a trademark of Inpowr Self Improvement Inc.

inpowr is the first self-coaching application designed for you to reconnect with your mind, body and spirit. See how it works! (CNW Group/inpowr Self-improvement inc.)

SOURCE inpowr Self-improvement inc.

The role of conversational chatbots in health(care) – Meet Elizzbot

TORONTO, June 5, 2018 /CNW/ - Artificial intelligence (AI) is an exponential technology poised to revolutionize health care as we know it. A 2016 study by Frost & Sullivan predicts the market for AI in health care will grow to $6.6 billion by 2021, with the potential to enhance care delivery, improve outcomes and reduce costs.

Elizzbot can intelligently chat with family caregivers 24/7, using proven therapy techniques to strengthen emotional resilience and wellbeing. (CNW Group/Saint Elizabeth Health Care)

Saint Elizabeth has partnered with X2AI to create and market an AI Chatbot for family caregivers as part of its "Smart Family Caregiving" portfolio. Family caregivers often experience physical and emotional strains from balancing caregiving responsibilities with their own lives, and there's not always a source that they could easily access for unbiased emotional support. This AI Chatbot can help fill that gap by chatting with caregivers via text messaging 24/7. It provides proven therapy techniques that are designed to help caregivers strengthen emotional resilience and wellbeing. At the same time, it can act as a friend, a listener, or a companion, who's always there to listen.

Journalists are invited to participate in all aspects of the event which is a forum designed to preview Elizzbot and hear about how it was developed, its current use and what this exciting technology means for the future of people.

Event Details:

Date:	Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Location:	Saint Elizabeth @ SPACES 180 John Street, Main (1st) Floor Space Toronto, ON M5T 1X5

Time:	5:00 – 6:30 PM
	•	5:00 PM – Registration
	•	5:10 PM – Presentation
	•	5:50 PM – Live demo of Elizzbot
	•	6:00 PM – Discussion

Speakers:	Dr. Zayna Khayat \| Future Strategist, SE Futures, Saint Elizabeth \| @ZaynaKhayat Allyson Kinsley \| SVP Strategy, Brand Experience, Consumer Markets, Elizz & Saint Elizabeth \| @Allyson_Kinsley Christine Zhu \| Product Development Lead, Elizz & Saint Elizabeth \| @christine__zhu Via videoconference: Michiel Rauws \| Founder/CEO, X2AI, AI chatbot start-up born out of Singularity University \| @michielrauws2

This event will be live-streamed on Periscope via @StElizabethSEHC.

Tags:
#Chatbot #Elizzbot #SEFutures #AI

SOURCE Saint Elizabeth Health Care

Start the new school year off with these must-haves from SPIbelt. For kids, parents, and teachers!

Fanny packs are back in and with SPIbelt’s LUXE in gold, silver, and gunmetal….high school students can stay on point with fashion trends as they walk down the high school hallways. MSRP: $34.99 https://spibelt.com/shop/spibelt/luxe/

SPIbelt’s Kids’ belts are not only great to keep house keys and other personal belonging close but if your child has an allergy or diabetes or needs any type of medicine during the day, they can keep is discreetly stashed while leaving them hands-free to tackle the school day! MSRP: $18.99 https://spibelt.com/shop/medical/kids-spibelt/

SPIbelt’s newest product, the GLIDE fits perfectly around a teacher’s waster allowing them to carry their keys, phone, Chapstick or any other item onto the playground for recess or in the hallways between classes. MSRP: $29.99 https://spibelt.com/shop/spibelt/the-glide-by-spibelt/

GLIDE product.png

Participating in a Marathon This Summer? How to Prepare Nutritionally

If you’re planning to take part in a summer marathon, it’s important that you prepare the right way so that you’re ready on race day. Nutrition is a key component to any marathon training plan, and maintaining a healthy diet will make it easier for you to achieve your personal best. Following these four nutrition tips will go a long way in your marathon preparation.

Increase Carbohydrate Intake

Carbohydrates are needed to give you ample energy while training for your marathon. Some marathoners insist on carbo-loading just before a race, which involves increasing carbohydrate intake even more. If you get enough carbohydrates from the foods that you already eat while training, you won’t have to worry about carbo-loading. Some of the best carbohydrate sources include wholegrain bread and pasta as well as avocadoes, mushrooms and asparagus.

Avoid Certain Foods

There are plenty of foods that shouldn’t be eaten while trying to prepare for your big race. Processed foods that are high in salt and calories and low in nutritional value should always be avoided. Spicy foods can upset your stomach and leave you scrambling to find the closest bathroom while out on training runs. You may also experience too much digestive regularity when you eat high-fiber foods such as green vegetables, almonds and pinto beans. A nutrition coach who creates nutrition plansfor marathon runners can offer you further suggestions on what not to eat.

Watch Your Calorie Intake

You might be tempted to indulge in high-calorie foods with the assumption that you’ll burn off the extra calories while training. The truth is, you may not be burning as many calories as you think, and you can actually end up gaining weight while preparing for a marathon. According to The Active Times, the average person burns 100 calories per mile ran. Indulging in junk food and other high-calorie edibles could cause you to exceed the number of calories that you’re burning, which will result in weight gain.

Maintain Good Hydration

Drinking enough fluids is important to any marathon training regimen, but it’s also important to drink the right types of fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated. Water, sports drinks and natural juices that don’t have added sugars are among the best beverages for hydration. Soft drinks and coffee that contain caffeine are known to cause the body to lose fluid and lead to dehydration. You can also stay hydrated by eating healthy foods like cucumbers, cantaloupe and bell peppers.

Eating right will be just as important as your long runs while preparing for your marathon. By adopting the right nutrition regimen, you’ll give your body the proper fuel to take on race day.

Artificial Intelligence Enriches Lives of
Elderly Patients in the Digital Age

BOSTON, Mass., May 30, 2018 – Making the right long-term care decision for a loved one is a challenging experience. Nearly 27 million people will need a long-term care solution by 2050, according to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Labor. Many of these individuals experience cognitive deficits. Caregivers are often at a loss about how exactly to support patients’ cognitive training.

Mobile App Breaks New Ground for Seniors
Enter Constant Therapy, a digital speech, language and cognitive exercise program that has been recognized by the American Stroke Association and AARP. This program allows users to conveniently access brain exercises from their phone or tablet while at home or in a healthcare facility. Today, the company is partnering with FirstLight Home Care to bring its software to non-medical caregivers for the first time.

The Boston-area digital health brand is particularly well versed with the elderly population as its median user is 64 years old. App users have completed more than 65 million brain exercises—creating one of the world’s largest health and wellness database of speech, language and cognitive exercises.

“Organizations are increasingly looking for the right activities to enrich the quality of elderly homebound clients’ lives. We’re excited to be using AI to enable ‘digital aging in place’ with FirstLight, since close to 90 percent of adults aged 65 and older prefer aging in their homes. We can facilitate a deeper connection between seniors and their non-medical caregivers,” said Veera Anantha, The Learning Corp. founder and creator of Constant Therapy.

Artificial Intelligence Helps to Standardize Elder Homecare
FirstLight Home Care facilities have become early adopters of the Constant Therapy digital platform—powered by its proprietary NeuroPerformance Engine.

Constant Therapy’s real-time advanced analytics mine global user performance data, scientific research, and each patient’s performance history to automatically recommend optimal tasks for each individual—and keep aging users engaged.

Non-medical caregivers can use Constant Therapy to provide clients with opportunities to practice memory, language and cognitive tasks from the convenience of a tablet or smartphone. Patients who need in-home support often struggle with dementia and cognitive declines associated with aging.

“With Constant Therapy, we are pleased to offer digital exercises to our clients. Many of our offices have reported that their clients are less anxious and more engaged as a result of using the Constant Therapy app to practice cognitive exercises. I’m pleased that the augmented AI provided by the app enables our clients to get personalized care at home,” said Devin Bevis, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Franchise Services, FirstLight Home Care.

About Constant Therapy
Constant Therapy—a product of The Learning Corp.— is an award-winning digital speech, language and cognitive exercise program that pairs perfectly with your cognitive and speech therapy. More than 100,000 evidence-based cognitive and speech language exercises across more than 80 task categories are available on the mobile app.

Thousands of clinicians at prominent institutions such as Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Moss Rehab, Genesis Rehab and the Stroke Comeback Center are using Constant Therapy as part of their speech therapy programs. More than 65 million exercises have been delivered to users in clinics and at home worldwide through the Constant Therapy app.

Exercises and reporting are HIPAA-compliant and delivered on Apple, Android and Amazon Fire devices. Look for Constant Therapy on an app store or visit www.constanttherapy.com to learn more.

About FirstLight Home Care
FirstLight Home Care provides compassionate non-medical home care, senior care and respite care to any adult in need. Whether it’s illness, injury, dementia, or just the challenges that come with old age, FirstLight can help.

World Heart Federation: Tobacco is Responsible For More Than One in Ten Deaths Caused by Cardiovascular Disease

The theme of WHO World No Tobacco Day 2018 on 31 May is: "Tobacco breaks hearts, choose health and not tobacco"
Smoking is associated with around 7 million global deaths per year and is an independent, major risk factor for myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure and low quality of life
The World Heart Federation is working with the WHO on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day to raise awareness of the link between tobacco and CVD, and to promote the immediate and long-term benefits of stopping smoking

GENEVA, May 29, 2018 /CNW/ - World No Tobacco Day is a World Health Organization initiative that will be held on 31 May and this year will focus on raising awareness of the link between tobacco and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Tobacco is associated with around 7 million deaths worldwide every year, directly related to the consumption of and indirect exposure to smoke.

(Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/696965/World_Heart_Federation_Logo.jpg )

Smoking damages blood vessels and thickens blood. It increases blood rate and blood pressure and replaces oxygen, making it an important risk factor in the development of coronary disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. Furthermore, it is the second most prevalent cause of CVD after hypertension. Given that CVDs constitute the number one cause of death in the world, the World Heart Federation (WHF) applauds this initiative by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Despite the general public being familiar with the impact that tobacco causes on health, the WHO highlights the fact that it is rarely thought of as being one of the main causes for CVD. According to WHF President Professor David Wood: "Tobacco consumption constitutes the main avoidable risk for cardiovascular health. Because of this, it is our duty to help our patients with heart disease to quit smoking, and for those patients at high risk of having a heart attack or stroke to help them quit as well. By doing so we can help all our patients to reduce their risk but even more importantly we need to raise awareness and educate the general public about the impact tobacco on our hearts and crucially the importance of children and young people never starting."

Almost 80% of the one billion smokers around the world live in average and lower income countries where the burden of illness and death associated with tobacco is much greater. With this in mind, WHF through its "Because every heartbeat matters" policy is promoting an agenda of greater access to care and the prevention, control and management of cardiovascular illnesses for everyone, regardless of status or circumstance, with the objective of extending and improving quality of life.

"We firmly believe in the need to continually highlight the risks of tobacco to the health of our hearts and circulation. By bringing together healthcare professionals, governments, institutions, industry and the general public around a common cause we can continue to educate people about the dangers of tobacco and unhealthy lifestyles, and promote the need for universal access to care," adds Prof. Wood. To aid this education, WHF will soon be releasing two fact sheets on smoking cessation: one for the general public and one for professionals.

On 29 September, WHF will be celebrating World Heart Day with the objective of raising awareness about the importance of good cardiovascular health. One of their key messages is around the immediate and long-term health benefits brought about by quitting smoking:

Within just 20 minutes, heart rate and blood pressure drops
12 hours after stopping smoking, the carbon monoxide levels in blood drops and returns to normal levels
Between 2 and 12 weeks, circulation will have improved and pulmonary function increased
Over the first 9 months, coughing and breathlessness diminishes
One year after quitting smoking, the risk of contracting a coronary disease is approximately half that of a smoker
Between 5 and 15 years after quitting smoking, the risk of suffering from a cerebrovascular accident drops to that of a non-smoker
15 years after having quit smoking, the risk of suffering from a coronary disease equates to that of a non-smoker

SOURCE World Heart Federation

Summer is finally here and the days of laying by the pool, beautiful hikes and beach fun are upon us. Unfortunately, the combination of the Summer heat and outdoor activities can lead to excess sweating. This helps keep the body cool down, but it can also lead to dehydration so instead of endless glasses of water opt for some healthy fruits and veggies. Incorporating these into your diet can add to your water intake and keep you hydrated all through the summer.

Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O., an Osteopathic Physician board certified in family medicine, anti-aging medicine and chelation therapy has created a tip sheet of his seven favorite healthy foods to help fight dehydration.

Watermelon

Watermelons contain around 92% water and one of the most hydrating foods out there. They can be a great alternative to snacks like pretzels, chips and peanuts. These popular snacks have large amounts of sodium and can make you more dehydrated.

Cucumber

Cucumbers are about 96% water and they contain no saturated fat or cholesterol. They are high in Vitamin B6 helping to produce serotonin, which is the brain chemical that controls mood. I suggest making small cucumber-watermelon bites, which are both incredibly hydrating and delicious.

Strawberry

Strawberries have the highest water content of any berry, 92% to be exact. This berry is a great source of vitamins C and K. You can enjoy the tart-sweet flavor without consuming too much sugar.

Cantaloupe

This popular melon is 90% water and packed with rich flavor. One cup of cantaloupe provides 100% of the daily recommended values of Vitamins A and C.

Tomato

Tomatoes are made up of about 95% water. Along with their sweetness they are perfect to take the place of higher calorie condiments. One medium size tomato contains only 22 calories.

Zucchini

Zucchinis are 95% water and help to give you more energy. They also contain a good amount of potassium helping to reduce blood pressure. The veggie also promotes skin health giving a glow and restoring moisture.

Lemon

While I don't think a lot of people enjoy eating lemons, adding them to water is a great way to change up a plain glass of water. Besides enhancing the flavor, lemons are a great source of vitamin C and aids in digestion.

Please let me know if you’re interested in featuring Dr. Calapai’s tips editorially. He’s also happy to elaborate on any of the tips!

I hope to hear from you soon!

Best wishes

Sarah

Sarah Gartner

Account Superlative

Couri Hay Creative PR
212-580-0835

About the Doctor:

" src="blob:http://www.trainitright.com/ecd98824-2f2f-4592-b48c-569a87fa258a" alt="xxpublicxx:* * Current:>Social Life 2015:Sonja Morgan September_2015:JPG Sonja Morgan:DSC_3543-look004-C-Sonia-Morgan-NYC_©2015-VITAL-AGIBALOW.JPG" align="left" hspace="9" class="Apple-web-attachment Singleton">Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O. is an Osteopathic Physician board certified in family medicine and anti-aging medicine. Proclaimed the "The Stem Cell Guru" by the New York Daily News, Dr. Calapai is a leader in the field of stem cell therapy in the U.S. His stem cell treatments have achieved remarkable results in clinical trials on patients with conditions as varied as Alzheimer's, arthritis, erectile dysfunction, frailty syndrome, heart, kidney and liver failure, lupus, MS and Parkinson's. He has worked with Mike Tyson, Mickey Rourke, Steven Seagal, and Gotham's, Donal Logue; and as a medical consultant for the New York Rangers. Connect with him via twitter @drcalapai or at www.drcal.net

The Scotiabank Charity Challenge Continues to Drive Community Commitment

Racers are fundraising for 68 local charities

CALGARY, May 23, 2018 /CNW/ - Canada's longest running marathon – the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon – takes place this weekend for the 54th year, with participants raising money for 68 local charities.

Scotiabank Calgary Marathon (CNW Group/Scotiabank)

The Scotiabank Calgary Marathon features the: 50km Ultra, Scotiabank Calgary Marathon, Centaur Subaru 21.1km, Jugo Juice 10km, GoodLife Fitness 5km Walk & Run and the Scotiabank Kids Marathon, for those 12 years of age and under. The race weekend will welcome 10,000 participants across all distances.

The Scotiabank Charity Challenge is a turnkey fundraising program that provides a simple way for racers to support the charity of their choice and make a significant impact locally. Participating charities keep 100 per cent of the proceeds raised, as Scotiabank pays for all transaction and credit card fees.

Scotiabank offers the Scotiabank Charity Challenge at six sponsored marathon events across Canada including Montreal, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto.

Scotiabank believes in helping young people reach their infinite potential, and many organizations who take part in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge have a direct impact in our local youth. Young people are our future leaders, and it's crucial to provide them with the skills and resources they need to succeed.

For a complete list of 2018 charities participating in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, please visit the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon's website.

How to get involved:

- Register for an event: Register for Scotiabank Calgary Marathon on the event website until May 24, 4:00 p.m. or beginning at 4:00 p.m. in person at the Health and Wellness Expo.

- Fundraise: Once registered, sign up for the Scotiabank Charity Challenge and raise funds for a participating official charity.

- Share! Share your story behind why you support your charity, using #runScotia, #runCalgary and #InfinitePotential

- Donate: Visit theScotiabank Charity Challenge to select an official charity and make a one-time donation.

- Cheer: Support friends and family along the race route and as they cross the finish line.

Quotes:

"Last year, nearly $1 million was raised in support of the local communities in which we live and work though the Scotiabank Charity Challenge," says Rod Wendt, District Vice-President, Calgary Central, Scotiabank. "Scotiabank thanks every participant who has chosen to dedicate their race to a charity that is important to them. We are proud that participating charities keep 100 per cent of the proceeds raised, as Scotiabank pays for all transaction and credit card fees. I can't wait to see the energy in Calgary this weekend as part of the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon."

"The Scotiabank Calgary Marathon is an annual celebration of our remarkable city. A time to come together in the spirit of friendly competition and test personal limits while giving back to our community through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge," says Executive Director, Kirsten Fleming.

About the Scotiabank Calgary Marathon
A race for every age and ability, Alberta's Best Road Race in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2017 the 50K Ultra, Scotiabank 42.2K, Centaur Subaru 21.1K, the Jugo Juice 10K, the Goodlife Fitness 5K Family Walk & Run and the Scotiabank Kids Marathon. The largest race on the prairies has the largest high performance purse west of Toronto and attracts elite athletes from coast to coast as well as internationally. The event brings in $7 million annually to the local economy and gives back through the Scotiabank Charity Challenge, scholarship programming and the Neighbourhood Spirit Challenge.

About Scotiabank
At Scotiabank, we aim to support organizations that are committed to helping young people reach their infinite potential. Young people are our future leaders and Scotiabank's goal is to help ensure that they have the necessary skills and resources they need to support their success. Together with our employees, the Bank supports causes at a grassroots level. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2017, Scotiabank contributed more than $80 million to help our communities around the world.

Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America, and Asia-Pacific. We are dedicated to helping our 24 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 89,000 employees and assets of over $923 billion (as at January 31, 2018), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (TSX: BNS) and New York Exchanges (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @Scotiabank.

SOURCE Scotiabank

Hay Fever Patients can Benefit from Probiotics, According to Research by Griffith University and Winclove Probiotics

AMSTERDAM, May 24, 2018 /CNW/ - New research from Griffith University, Australia, published today in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, shows a multispecies-probiotic formulation to improve the quality of life of hay fever patients.

Study details

The researchers investigated whether the probiotic formulation Ecologic^® AllergyCare (Winclove Probiotics B.V., The Netherlands), could benefit hay fever patients. In previous research the probiotic has shown to reduce eczema in children, another disease in the spectrum of atopic disorders. The researchers gave 40 hay fever patients the probiotic twice daily for a period of eight weeks. The patients were asked to report hay fever symptoms, medication use, and rated their quality of life. At the end of the study, 63% of the participants taking the probiotic reported a significantly improved quality of life. Importantly, patients experienced less severe hay fever symptoms and used fewer medications.

Nic West, lead author of the research from Griffith University; "What is very promising is that we saw great consistency among study outcomes. Key rhinitis measurements along with symptom severity and medication load, all decreased during the study. The positive study outcomes might be explained by the multistrain nature of the probiotic. We know that in allergies there is a reduction in microbial diversity. By exposing people to a multistrain formulation, with a broad number of probiotic bacteria, we may have a stronger effect on the immune system."

Impact

Hay fever is a global health problem affecting between 10% - 30% of the population, with increasing prevalence. Hay fever has a serious impact on daily life and presents a substantial financial burden to patients and the healthcare system. Although not a life-threatening disease on its own, uncontrolled hay fever can increase the risk of life threatening asthma during high pollen events, such as storms. Current treatment options, such as antihistamines, are costly, may not completely resolve symptoms and do not tackle the underlying cause.

West: "There is increasing evidence that show probiotics have a positive effect on the mucosal immune system, particularly in relation to allergies, and this evidence is going to grow. In the future, probiotics are likely to play an integral role in helping people manage their hay fever. Preventative use of probiotics in the long term can help control the severity of symptoms."

SOURCE Winclove Probiotics B.V.

15 YEARS OF CANINE CELEBRATION!

WOOFSTOCK, NORTH AMERICA’S LARGEST FESTIVAL FOR DOGS,

HOLDS ANNIVERSARY EVENT ON MAY 26^th& 27^thIN TORONTO

TORONTO – Woofstock, North America’s Largest Festival for Dogs, kicks off its 15^thAnniversary season with its annual event on Saturday, May 26^thand Sunday, May 27^that Toronto’s Woodbine Park. 2018 is guaranteed to be the biggest PAWty for dogs and their human companions, as Woofstock marks 15 years of canine love with 200 exhibitors, incredible attractions and entertainments, new additions, and opportunities to give back to local rescue groups. All of this has been wrapped in a retro twist with the theme of “Peace, Love, Woof” – looking back on the festival’s beginnings and how far Woofstock has come since its debut.

Woofstock began in 2003 and held its first event in Toronto’s Distillery District. From its very first year, Woofstock charmed many Torontonians with its focus and celebration of dogs. Within a few years, the festival outgrew two more locations in Toronto and gained its status as the largest dog festival in North America, welcoming hundreds of thousands of attendees over the years.

“We are thrilled to be celebrating 15 years of Woofstock and to have witnessed this festival becoming one of the most beloved festivals in Toronto and in North America,” says Teanna Lindsay, co-owner of Woofstock. “For our anniversary, we are encouraging all Woofstock attendees to embrace our ‘Peace, Love, Woof’ theme and dress up in nostalgic, vintage gear as a way to celebrate this milestone.”

In 2018, Woofstock will showcase 200 exhibitors, giving our guests the opportunity to learn about and shop many dog brands. Favourite activities and entertainments such as the Mr. and Ms. Canine Canada Pageant, Fashion Show, Wiener, Pug Chihuahua and French Bull Dog races, Doga (yoga for dogs), Children’s Village and many other Woofstock staples, will be returning to the festival mix.

New and exciting additions for this year include the Puppy Prowl race and a unique Kitty Korner sponsored by Whiskas, Iams, Crave, and Temptations, giving attendees an opportunity to experience all things for cats!

This year, Woofstock welcomes Open Farm as the Official Dog Food for the festival, who will be sponsoring the festival’s Off-leash area and VIP Lounge.

For the second year, proceeds from Woofstock ticket sales will be donated to all canine rescue groups in the festival’s Rescue Village. Last year, Woofstock donated over $25,000 to the cause.

With upwards of 100,000 dog lovers and four-legged loved ones in attendance last year, Woofstock is looking forward to making its 15^thannual festival the best yet.

EVENT DETAILS:

WHAT: WOOFSTOCK 2018

WHERE: Woodbine Park (1695 Queen St E Toronto, ON M4L 1G7)

DATES & TIMES: Saturday, May 26^th10am to 6pm and Sunday, May 27^th, from 10am to 5pm

TICKET PRICE: $12 in advance (weekend pass); $15 at the event gates (weekend pass); Children under 10 and Dogs are FREE.

***Proceeds from this year’s Woofstock ticket sales will be donated to all dog rescue organizations that have partnered with Woofstock in 2018.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:Please call 416-234-WOOF or visitwww.woofstock.ca