Nine different soups will be offered during a soup benefit planned by Pleasant View United Methodist Church near Bluffton. Proceeds from the event will be used for training and equipping a service dog of an Ottawa man.

The soup benefit is Sunday, Oct. 21, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is open to the public. The church is located at 300 Township Road 37, Bluffton.  This is just east of County Line Road 1 (16 in Hancock County).

The soup benefit will include specialty soups such as cheeseburger soup and taco soup and also old favorites including ham and bean, chili, and vegetable soup. Numerous types of breads will be available along with the soups. Pies, brownies and other desserts will also be offered.

The meal is by donation. Individual servings of soup will be available for carry-out.

Proceeds from the meal will be used to train and equip a service dog for Ottawa resident Brian Fowler.

Fowler has been diagnosed with diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) after falling from the back of his semi-trailer about nine years ago.

CRPS is a rare, chronic, and sometimes progressive condition. It has caused deformities to Brian’s back, leg, foot and ankle.

He has also been diagnosed with post traumatic osteoarthritis. Doctors feel that a service dog will help Brian with mobilities, stability and support while walking and keep him from falling. Phoenix, the service dog has been donated by Twin Oaks Chesapeaks, a kennel in Columbus Grove. Training for the dog is being done by Pawsible Angels in Findlay.