The University of Georgia Pre-Vet Club hosted their 19th annual Dawg Jog 5K at the Sandy Creek Nature Center on Sunday, April 13, at 1 p.m. Laurel Seberg, the president of the UGA Vet Club and a senior majoring in biological sciences at UGA, said the event partners with Athenspets, a volunteer organization that helps animals in the Athens area.
The 5K included some adoptable dogs from Athenspets and some participants even brought their foster pets to the event with hopes of finding them a permanent home. Funds raised from the event’s registration fees and many sponsors will go to support veterinary bills, building repairs and food expenses through Athenspets.
Seberg said she appreciated the community support around the event. There were over 250 registered participants and 220 runners present. Several Athens businesses sponsored the event as well.
Awards were given to the overall male and female, the overall master’s male and female, the overall male and female with a dog and the top three males and females in 10-year age groups.
Abbigail Duncan, the first overall female with a dog to finish, participated with her dog, Sunny. Duncan has been training Sunny to run with her since she was 10 weeks old, gradually increasing the running mileage as she has grown older. She said Sunny loved the race and was zooming in between other participants and accredited her own quick speed to Sunny. As someone who often volunteers at the animal shelter, she said she loves getting to see dogs who have been in their shelter their whole life get a chance to socialize and be around other dogs.
“I’ve always loved dogs, I love the message they have here,” Duncan said. “A lot of these dogs have been in the shelter their whole lives so it’s good getting to see them get out and get a run in.”
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