MU veterinary college hosts
16th annual Dog Jog

Story and photos by Samantha Rhoades, posted Oct. 15, 2009

Orville, a 10-year-old black lab, looks up and wags his tail at his owners, Jack and Donna Smith, in anticipation for the 16th Annual Dog Jog on Oct. 4. The event was hosted by College of Veterinary Medicine third-year students. Proceeds from the event go toward veterinary medicine scholarships and the Central Missouri Humane Society.

Orville looks like a typical lab, except for a large, grey spot covering the top of his head. Donna Smith said the spot was caused by radiation. This time last year, Orville was getting treatment for a sinus tumor and wasn’t able to participate in the dog jog.

	Orville, above, and his owners Jack and Donna Smith are happy to be back at the Dog Jog after missing the event last year. Orville has recovered from treatment for a sinus tumor. The grey spot on the top of his head is the result of radiation treatments.   Rusty and owner Hugh Emerson are regulars to the College of Veterinary Medicine’s annual Dog Jog.

Orville was one of the 125 people and their dogs of all shapes and sizes, from shivering Chihuahuas to Great Dane-Schnauzer mixes, who participated in this year’s event. Participants met in the vet school parking lot at 7 a.m. for registration and around 8 a.m. for the start of the five-kilometer run/race or the two-and-a-half kilometer walk. Competitors made a donation of $20 or $25 with their registration, received a number to pin to their shirts and then waited for the whistle starting their race.

Participants could race with or without their dogs, or could borrow a dog from the humane society, if desired.

Sarah Spidel, a third-year veterinary medicine student and event coordinator, said the goal of the event was not only fundraising but giving people a different way of getting involved with Columbia’s pet friendly community, as well as raising awareness of the vet school and physical fitness. She used a megaphone to gain the attention of the competitors and direct their movement towards the racetracks of the race/run around the college or the walk around east campus.

Race winners won prizes such as canvas bags, t-shirts, dog treats, and gift certificates, but all participants received a long-sleeve T-shirt. Participants could also enter a raffle with several chances to win gift packages with toys, leashes, treats and other dog friendly items. Race winners in the five kilometer men’s division finished in about 16 minutes, and winners in the women’s division finished in about 19 minutes.

Runners take off after the whistle to begin the 5K race in front of the College of Veterinary Medicine on Oct. 4.

As for Orville, his owners said they are just happy to be here, and couldn’t be prouder of Orville and his recovery.

“He’s some kind of dog,” Smith said. “He’s a survivor and the best kind of buddy.”

Hugh Emerson, resident of Columbia, was wearing his 2003 Dog Jog T-shirt and says his dog Rusty, a German Sheppard Lab mix, has previously won the five kilometer run.

 “I come for Rusty, he really enjoys it,” Emerson said.

Spidel said the event has become an annual tradition, alternating between partnering with the humane society or Columbia’s Second Chance.

 “You see a lot of shelter dogs, a lot of great mixed breeds, but we love pure breeds as well,” Spidel said.

She said this year’s event was a major success. After the event, participants were dog tired, but most gave two thumbs up (or, four paws up) after making it through the race.

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