Cara Teagens with her corgis. (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Willamette Valley Hospice (WVH) provides hospice and palliative care to our community. Fortunately, their annual Walk and Wag was rescheduled from a rainy day to the beautifully sunny afternoon of Sept. 25. The event raised over $22,000 for the Pet Peace of Mind program.
WVH specialized pet program provides financial and personal support for pets of patients on hospice. That can include medical care and dog walking, and ultimately finding a permanent home for an animal.
The walk was a leisurely 1.5-mile stroll with pups in Minto-Brown Island Park. After checking in with Debra Caudy, Eileen Harder, and Judy Baynton gifted registrants a bag stuffed with pet goodies, a yellow scarf for their dogs, and a chance to visit the pet-themed vendor village.
Dogs big and small participated. Kathy Soderstrom walked her great dane Sparrow and Jen Killikelly took her chihuahua Tessa in a stroller.
Rebecca Cozart from Noses Tails and Paws Pet Photography had just the perfect way to catch a dog’s attention to get the perfect shot.
Dale Turner from Center 50+ was available to discuss the Canine Corps. They take friendly dogs to visit with seniors.
Learn more about the pet peace of mind program here.
About WVH: Willamette Valley Hospice & Palliative Care is located at 1015 3rd ST NW in Salem. They are a non-profit organization founded in 1978 and based in Salem, Oregon, which provides comprehensive hospice care services, pain management, grief services, and support for those patients and families facing serious or life-limiting illnesses. Through its mission, Willamette Valley Hospice & Palliative Care supports adults and children living with a serious or life-limiting illness throughout Marion and Polk counties and beyond.
Kathy Soderstrom and her great dane Sparrow (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Rebecca Cozart from Noses Tails & Paws Pet Photography offered pet portraits. (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Carolyn Black with Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Desi Simeral passes out swag from Capitol Auto Group (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Eileen Harder and Judy Baynton register guests at the Walk and Wag (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Debra Caudy checks in guests at the Walk and Wag (Mary Louise VanNatta/Special to Salem Reporter)
Mary Louise VanNatta is a Salem public relations professional writing regularly for Salem Reporter. [email protected] and follow her on Facebook.
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