In the heart of Wolfpack country, one institution gathered extensive community interest and participation to support a different kind of pack.
In their 16th annual “Dog Day Run,” the N.C. State Veterinary School brought dog owners from around the state together to have fun and compete in a 5k to support an organization near and dear to the hearts of all dog owners, according to event organizer and second year student in veterinary medicine Jason Heitzman.
”This run is always a great time, and you couldn’t ask for a better cause. Every year we come out here and raise money for the Wake County Animal Shelter, and the only money not going to the shelter is the cost to hold the event,” Heitzman said. “The Vet School doesn’t keep a dime.”
According to Heitzman, this was the first year participants could take part in both the race and the walk with their canine pals. In years past, their dogs were only allowed to be involved in the dog walk that followed the timed race.
Heitzman said it’s also been the race’s most successful year yet.
“This event went better than I expected. Last year we only had 40 people participate total, in both the run and walk. This year, we easily made more than that just for the run,” Heitzman said. “It’s the 17th year this event has been held, but it’s the first year they’ve been allowed to participate in the run with their dogs. Before they could complete the walk with their dogs, but I think we’ll continue running with the dogs since we’ve had such great feedback.”
While many people have trouble running for lengths at a time, participants Nancy Green and her husband Ed said their 3-year-old Maltipoo, Burton, is used to going the distance.
“He’s probably too small to be running 5k’s, but he does it all the time. We run three to four times a week, and there have been times he’s run 5 miles in one day,” Green said. “So this is kind of a normal run for him.”
Green also joked about the unique bond they share with Burton. According to Green, the couple’s feline companions seem to believe running is for the dogs.
“We’ve got two cats at home holding down the fort,” Green said, laughing. “If they are adventurous, they might wander up to the end of the driveway, but that’s it.”
However, Vincent Ziglioli, event organizer and third year student in veterinary medicine, said participants don’t have to be avid runners in order to participate and have fun.
”It’s timed, and most people are going to run their heart out, but it’s noncompetitive,” Ziglioli said. “If you want to walk the run, run the walk, it’s up to you.”
To Ashley McDuffee, owner of Chewie, a Corgie named after Chewbacca from the iconic Star Wars series, the event offered a rare opportunity to allow their help calm their dog’s anxiety caused by the presence of large groups of unknown animals.
“I ran into this event online, and I thought it would be fun. Chewie isn’t running with me—a 5k is a little too much for him because he’s got really small legs,” McDuffee said. “We brought him today because we look for Corgie-friendly events so he can socialize with other dogs, and be more comfortable with others like he used to be.”
According to Gina Battaglia, owner of 2-year-old Goldendoodle Will Rogers, she and her dog traveled from Greensboro in order to participate in an event where they can both run in one event.
“This was something he really liked,” Battaglia said. “I think he gets inspired by running, especially in the rain.”
Even though there was no rain in sight, Battaglia and her pooch led the runners and finished first among the participants running with their dogs and second overall.
But for Battaglia, the event was less about winning, and more about having fun with Rogers, whose name is a testament to their special relationship.
“We’re from California, and Will Rogers is a comedian who has a house out there. It was one of my favorite places to run,” Battaglia said. “He also once said, ‘I never met a man I didn’t like.’ I figured that’s a perfect name for man’s best friend.”
