Vet frat hosts event for furry friends
On Sunday, March 25, roughly 160 people gathered at the University of Guelph’s Arboretum, pooches in tow, for the eighth annual Omega Tau Sigma (OTS) Dog Jog. Hosted by the Delta chapter of the OTS professional veterinary fraternity, this year’s Dog Jog easily surpassed its $13,000 goal, with participants raising approximately $15,000 for the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) Pet Trust. Cofounded in 2011 by then-OVC students Rebecca Sterns and Steve Patten, the fur-friendly event has raised almost $60,000 for the Pet Trust, which dedicates its funds to support learning, health care, and research into medical issues affecting our beloved companions.
Meredith Garcia, one of the event’s organizers, told The Ontarion: “I’ve known since fourth year of my undergrad that the OTS Dog Jog was something I wanted to be a part of if I was accepted into the OVC. I am a huge supporter of OVC Pet Trust and its initiatives to help our pets live longer, happier lives.”
Another event organizer, Enise DeCaluwe-Tulk, said she jumped at the chance to be a part of the organizing committee. “I love everything the OVC Pet Trust stands for and this was a great opportunity for me to be involved in supporting it. (Plus, who could say no to hanging out in the Arboretum with a bunch of dogs? Not me!)”
This year’s event was a chilly but sunny success, with nothing but smiles on the faces of all attendees. The good company was paired with complimentary coffee and snacks, a food truck, a nail trim booth, and a fun-packed raffle draw. Amid the groovy tunes blasting from the speakers were some generous prizes given out to the oldest canine participant and the registered family with the most dogs present.
The $20 fundraising minimum was easily surpassed by a large portion of participants. Some folks worked impressively hard, and the top fundraisers were rewarded with a prize as a recognition of their efforts. The lack of a dog was not a deterrent for some participants; phase 1 student Jody Chan saw the two kilometer/five kilometer walk or jog as an event worth attending, regardless of her own pooch being unable to attend.
“I came today to support a great cause and to help animals. It was amazing to see so many fellow students and community members raise so much money,” said Chan. “Playing with all those dogs was also a fun plus!”
Whether you brought a Dachshund, a Dalmatian, or a Great Dane, this year’s Dog Jog appears to have been a ‘pawsitively’ perfect success. Thanks to the generosity of the many donors and participants, the tradition will likely remain strong for many years to come.