There’s no better way to celebrate “Walking the Dog Day” than to join the Old Dominion Humane Society’s (ODHS) Saturday Stroll, February 22. An activity for the public, the Saturday Strollers meet at 8:45 a.m. at the ODHS Fredericksburg facility. Volunteers pair strollers with smaller dogs before going to a local trail for invigorating exercise for the rescues and humans. The Saturday Strolls are at a more relaxed pace than the Sunday Hikes. Guests meet at the ODHS facility door, where they’ll be greeted by volunteers.
Strollers transport the dogs in their cars, and crates are available at ODHS. Volunteers assist in matching the perfect rescues with their human partners and get them crated in cars before they set out on their journey.
“When the public joins the ODHS Saturday Strolls, it really helps to get more dogs out in the fresh air and allows them to socialize,” said Chrissy Blake, ODHS founder. “It’s an activity that helps the rescues interact with people and other dogs.”
Joining the Strolls helps get the rescues out for exercise that helps them sleep better and relieves anxiety. By taking a rescue out for a few hours on a Saturday morning, the public is helping the dogs become happier and healthier. Another bonus for strollers is they’re getting exercise and meeting people in the community. What’s more, it’s a free and valuable way to spend a few hours helping the nonprofit organization, which is run entirely by volunteers.
ODHS hosts the Saturday Strolls and Sunday Hikes throughout the year. Mark the calendar for “Walking the Dog Day” on February 22 for a fun way to start the weekend.