(Richmond) Calling all dog owners and dog lovers: the Virginia War Memorial invites you to bring your dogs and be a part of the 3rd Annual “.9K9” Dog Walk at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2025.
The “.9K9” Dog Walk will commence in Heilman Amphitheater at the Memorial and proceed for approximately .9 kilometers around the grounds of the Memorial at 621 South Belvidere Street in downtown Richmond. There is no fee to participate in the Dog Walk, but pre-registration is required.
The mission of the “.9K9” Dog Walk is to honor and remember the contributions and sacrifices of military, law enforcement, search and rescue, and other service dogs on the battlefields of war and in our local communities. There will be special markers placed along the course with facts about famous military service dogs throughout American History. Participants will receive a special “Pawsport” to be stamped at each educational stop along the route. This event will be held “rain or shine.”
Participants and their dogs must register and complete a waiver form in person at the Virginia War Memorial between 9:30 and 9:50 a.m. on Saturday, March 8 or pre-register online at https://vawarmemorial.org/events/k9veteransday/ . Dogs must be on a leash and have an ID tag on their collars with the dog’s name and owner’s information. All dogs must be accompanied by an adult over 18. While there is no age limit for persons who wish to participate, children under the age of 18 must also be accompanied by adult.
Virginia is one of several states that officially acknowledge and commemorate March 13 each year as National K-9 Veterans Day. This was the date in 1942 during World War II that the U.S. Army began training for its War Dog Program, known as the “K-9 Corps”, marking the first time that dogs were officially part of the U.S. Armed Forces.
K-9 Veterans Day has been commemorated in Virginia and at the Virginia War Memorial for 12 consecutive years since its inception in 2013. As March 13 falls on a weekday this year, the 2025 “.9K9” Dog Walk is being held on Saturday, March 8 to allow more dog owners and families to participate in this fun and educational event.
The Virginia War Memorial grounds and indoor exhibits will be open to the public for visitation from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 8. Admission is free and parking is available in the Memorial’s.
surface lot and parking deck. For more information, visit https://vawarmemorial.org/events/k9veteransday/ or https://www.facebook.com/VirginiaWarMemorial/or telephone the Memorial’s information desk at 804-786-2060.
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