As the summer comes to a close, Athens residents are eager to soak up every last bit of sunshine and good weather. The Athens Community Center proves the perfect venue for any summer event and recently hosted one, friendly to four-legged attendants.
This marks the tenth year the Athens City Pool has teamed up with Friendly Paws Pet Supplies to host the annual dog swim.
Hundreds of Athens dog owners, residents, and students surrounded the vast pool. Some vigorously tossed tennis balls to be retrieved while others idly gazed at the spectacle of a hundred hounds running, playing, and splashing freely.
Dogs of every breed flocked the pool, relishing the rare opportunity to run about leash-free. All were welcome at the event, given they provided proof of vaccinations and were properly brushed before entering the pool.
Small and large dogs alike enjoyed the swim; the baby pool was designated solely for smaller dogs to splash without worry.
The admission was $5 per dog, but larger donations were accepted as well. Revenue from this year will benefit Integrated Services for Behavioral Health, a new foundation that serves pets of those in need. Main services provided include spaying, neutering, and most importantly: emergency food.
Owner of Friendly Paws Pet Supplies, Shelley Lieberman, mentioned that the proceeds benefit a different foundation each year.
“Integrated Services for Behavioral Health is unique in that it helps client’s pets,” Lieberman said. “They are a relatively new organization, and we thought it important to give them a jump start.”
The event’s proceeds have formerly helped organizations such as the Athens Humane Society. Each year, the organization that is chosen places an emphasis on helping animals and people alike.
Lieberman also reflected on the growth of the event, which seems to increase exponentially each year. Last year, an estimated 100 dogs attended the event. This year, over 150 dogs were in attendance.
“This year has a great turnout,” Lieberman said. “It has really exceeded our expectations.”
Gabby Fair, a fifth year student studying special education, experienced her first dog swim this year. Both she and Nora, her Black Labrador mix, enjoyed the excitement the event had to offer.
Aside from the fun of the event itself, Fair shared the importance of having an animal through the stress that college offers.
“She is not a registered emotional support dog, but having her to come home to –– having someone that relies on you –– helps so much,” Fair said.
As Fair illustrates, having a furry companion is beneficial for both mental and emotional health. This is often overlooked in college students, who are in what is arguably the most volatile and stressful stage of their lives.
On the other hand, Athens resident Beverly Cochran is no stranger to the dog swim. She has attended this event for three years now, and remarked that it grows every year.
“The socialization is the best part of the event. That and the dogs playing in the water!” Cochran said.
Cochran enjoyed the light-hearted fun of the event with her dog Maggie, but also commented on the significance it holds in the Athens community.
“It just keeps growing,” Cochran said. “At one point in time, they had this event in Nelsonville,” she reminisced. “Events like these are very important for the community.”
The Athens dog swim is an adored annual tradition, and is greatly anticipated for next year and hopefully many years to come.
