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Run of the Pack Clubs, animal shelters increasingly unite runners with dogs that are born to run 
Like to run? Love animals? A growing number of running clubs and animal shelters are pairing up people with penned up pooches to provide both with a little exercise that goes a long way. “I think people realize how fun it is to take a dog for a run. You enjoy the run through the dog,” says Angela Lindbo, a member of the Team Red Lizard Running Club, Portland, Ore. For the past two years, Lindbo and other club members have met two Saturdays each month to run with dogs from the Multnomah County Animal Shelter. The event, which is also open to the public, has resulted in the adoption of more than 20 dogs, Lindbo says. The dogs picked are often high in energy and range from mutts to purebreds, including a Plott Hound named Jasper whom Lindbo adopted herself. Team Red Lizard Running offers a five mile loop for its run-with-the-dog events, though the pooches and the people can go at their own pace, depending on their personality and physical needs. “Dogs are like people. We have three legged dogs, we have overweight dogs. Some dogs love to run. Some dogs love to go to the corner and say, ‘That’s good enough,’“ Lindbo says. “We also have families with kids and strollers and people who aren’t ready to go for a five mile run.” While adoption is appreciated, it’s not the focus. The main purpose of the runs are socialization and exercise. “Runners will often use their run as a decompression from their jobs and release stress,” Lindbo explains. “Shelter dogs are also able to release their stress on that run.” And the idea is taking off. Lindbo says she has received calls from the Humane Society and other running clubs asking how to start their own events. One of those calls came from the Second Wind Running Club, Urbana, Ill., which has paired with the Champaign County Humane Society to offer several run with a dog events since May. “We had young people and older people, and one person who used a wheelchair also participated,” says Jane Domier, a member of the Second Wind Running Club. “People ran or walked with the dogs for two hours at the park, sometimes running up to 5 miles. The dogs were so happy to be out in the park, running, sniffing, eating treats, meeting people and rolling in the grass. They wore little red vests with ‘Adopt Me’ printed on the sides.” “I would say that these events have improved the adoptability of all of the dogs that have participated,” says Carly Scholten, animal care manager at the Champaign County Humane Society. “By providing the dogs extra exercise and socialization they become well rounded and better candidates for their potential forever home.” If you’re considering starting a run with the dogs event of your own, organizers like Domier and Lindbo suggest working closely with your local Humane Society or animal shelter to screen the dogs carefully. Running club members may want to come out to the shelter the week of the event to pick out and practice running with the dog they take to the event, Scholten says. Other tips: Don’t let children walk dogs without adult supervision, provide dog treats, water for people and dogs, bagels or people snacks and poop pick-up bags. And most importantly, remember that this event is literally for the dogs. “These events are great fun and help the Humane Society to find families for the many dogs available for adoption,” Domier says. |
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