Students organize 5k
Published Oct. 12, 2007
The College of Veterinary Medicine is going to the dogs.
This Saturday, the college will hold the 14th Annual College of Veterinary Medicine Dog Jog, where dogs will have an opportunity to either run five kilometers or walk two kilometers with their owners. But participants don't need a dog to join in.
Proceeds from the event will benefit both the volunteer, no-kill animal shelter Columbia Second Chance and the veterinary school's class of 2009.
Each year, the school's third-year class takes charge of the Dog Jog.
Claire Beckmeyer, a third-year vet student and a co-chair of this year's Dog Jog, said the event is "kind of chaotic, but it's really fun."
She knows first-hand. Beckmeyer said she participated last year and won the 5K run with her mutt, Ellie.
As a result of the victory, she said, she was asked to lead this year's Dog Jog.
She accepted the offer, but on the condition that her classmate Ashley Welch could help out.
Welch said she hopes plenty of participants will come out and enjoy themselves.
"I hope people have a lot of fun interacting with their dogs and having all the dogs out there," she said.
People will also be able to purchase tickets for raffles of products and services from local businesses. Welch said she "really appreciates" their support.
The event will go on rain or shine, Welch said.
"We don't plan to close down just because of a little rain," she said. "We're troopers."