Retired soldier cycling 1,000 kms to support Wounded Warriors Canada

Posted on July 31, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

Maple Creek News

A retired mechanic with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is bicycling 1,000 kms this summer from Canmore to Moose Jaw via Maple Creek to raise funds for the Wounded Warriors OSI Service Dog program for the fifth year.

Sgt Rob Nederlof, formerly of Base Maintenance, at Canadian Forces Base Shilo, Manitoba, leaves Canmore, Alberta on August 11 and arrives in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan on August 19.

The bicycle ride is named “Friends and Family” this year but continues to be an integral part of the Prairie Thousand’s epic contribution that has seen Nederlof ride 4,000 kms on his bicycle across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and into Ontario in the past. His goal was to draw attention to mental health issues of veterans and EMS workers while raising money to help fund the support dog program.

This year, Nederlof will bicycle 1,000 kms from the Rockies through to the Prairies in honour of the men and women who serve Canadians – veterans, and EMS workers- and the friends and family that support them. “The men and women who stand behind the shield – the military, police, EMS workers – it’s for them that we do this,” Marina Nederlof, the support vehicle driver and spouse of Nederlof, explained.

It has been named “Friends and Family” to honour not only the veterans and first responders, but also as a dedication to the friends and family of those who serve Canadians, Marina said, the people behind the nation’s heroes.

Training for the 1,000 km bicycle fundraiser began in January.  A stationary trainer was used during the winter and uncertain-weather months. Currently Nederlof bicycles 52 kms every day to and from CFB Shilo from Wawanesa where he lives with Marina and their family.

In 2021, when Nederlof kicked off the Prairie Thousand bicycle ride fundraiser, he peddled 1,000 kms from Wawanesa, MB to Lethrbridge, AB with the goal of raising $5,000.  That goal was surpassed by over $12,000.  Over 4 years and 4000km, his fundraising efforts for Wounded Warriors Canada has exceeded $100,000. This year, they’re hoping to raise $5,000. “We are always conservative,” Marina explained. “We don’t go into this with any expectations. We appreciate any money we raise for the OSI Support Dog program.”

Demand for Wounded Warrior’s PTSD Service Dogs has outstripped the funding capacity to train and pair service dogs with ill, injured veterans and First Responders according to Wounded Warrior’s information found online. (https://woundedwarriors.ca/our-programs/operational-stress-intervention-dog/). The average cost to train a dog is $15,000 and takes two years. Steven Topham, Director, National Partnerships, Wounded Warriors Canada recognizes the outstanding effort that went into raising this amount by the Nederlofs.

“When we consider what that means on the average cost of certifying a dog – that right away, three or four people have been impacted, and families have been positively impacted through the support of Rob and Marina,” he said in a telephone interview.

He drew attention to the conversations the Nederlofs have with people during their journey. “It’s the conversations they’re having in these communities. There are services in these communities and they’re engaging in these conversations with what we do as an organization. They’re raising significant awareness to the people who need the service,” Topham said. “People want to help.”

By the end of August, Nederlof and his wife will have bicycled and driven 5,000 kms for the support dog program. “It’s a cause that’s near and dear to our hearts,” Nederlof said.

While the Sgt has his own OSI experiences after three overseas tours which included Afghanistan and Bosnia, he knows people who also suffer worse than him.

“It’s always worth it, as hard as it can be, to just go out and push past your comfort zone and talk to people. You get it back in so many ways,” Nederlof added.

The Nederlofs have seen a lot on their journeys and it’s had an impact on the couple.

“We have a different perspective on thinking first what somebody else could be going through and never making judgements,” Marina said.

Prairie Thousand – ‘Friends and Family’ – welcomes cadets, scout troops, or any other organization wishing to ride along with Rob as he bicycles through their towns.

To contact Prairie Thousand, email prairiethousand@gmail.com, or message on The Prairie Thousand Facebook page.