Deb Proc tells the story of introducing her golden retriever to an older woman at Alberta Hospital Edmonton who not only has mental-health issues but is blind and deaf, too.

Proc was just one of a dozen dog-owners sharing their stories today and marking the 10th anniversary of Edmonton’s Chimo Project, which uses animals to help treat mental conditions.

But founder Dennis Anderson says the reason today's Chimo Project party was so public is because the program is also appealing for more sustainable funding and more four-legged volunteers. “We need to make this an ongoing process to assist therapy,” he said.