12th annual Dog Jog raises money to help Katrina animals
By Chris Matthews

The University of Missouri veterinary class of 2007 sponsored its annual dog jog to raise money for animals caught in Hurricane Katrina.

Veterinary students from the junior class usually coordinate the event to raise money for upcoming class activities and memorial funds. This year half the money will go to help animals caught in the hurricane. Meredith Hall was one of the coordinators for the event and described how the money is normally used.

“The main goal is to collect money for class events and other causes that come along,” Hall said. “Last year the money was used to fund the junior and senior banquet and to start a memorial fund for a deceased student.”

Chris Maha, one of the race coordinators, said this year was different because half of the proceeds were given to the Louisiana Chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). Maha said they wanted to donate some of their proceeds to Louisiana SPCA to help animals caught in the hurricane.

The annual dog jog started out in the Clydesdale Hall parking lot at the veterinary school and ran along the eastern edge of Columbia. The race ended back at Clydesdale parking lot. Participants had the option of running five kilometers or walking two kilometers.

Most participants had their dogs with them, but some participated without their dogs. Jennifer Reisdorf, a local veterinarian, walked the 2K with her dog, Red. Red is an eleven-year-old Australian heeler that only has three legs. Reisdorf said this was his third race but the first one he has ever walked.

After the race, prizes were awarded to male and female winners of both the 2K and 5K events. Local businesses supplied the prizes, which included fleece jackets, water bottles and book bags.

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