JAMESTOWN, NY – Tails were wagging and leashes at the ready for the Paw-Some Dwyer Dog Ruck Walk, which took place on Saturday, June 1, at the scenic Bergman Park.
Organized by the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project and Suicide Prevention Alliance of Chautauqua County, this fur-filled event promised fun, fur, and friendship while supporting a vital cause.
The walk saw an enthusiastic turnout, with 25 dogs and their humans coming together to support suicide prevention and awareness. Local veterans and mental health advocates were on hand to lend their support to the walk, which encouraged participants to bring their dogs along for a meaningful one-mile journey.
Participants were invited to carry rucksacks of any weight they chose, representing the heavy burdens many veterans carry each day. The event aimed to shed light on these struggles while fostering a sense of community and support among attendees.
"The Paw-Some Dwyer Dog Ruck Walk is a heartfelt event that not only brings our community together but also raises crucial awareness about the struggles our veterans face daily," said Cindy Reidy, Dwyer Program Coordinator. "It's inspiring to see so many people and their furry friends come out to support this cause."
For more information about the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project or the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Chautauqua County, please visit dwyerchautauqua.com or preventsuicidechq.com.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, please reach out to the 24/7 Chautauqua County Crisis Hotline at 1-800-724-0461, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or text TALK to 741741 to connect with the Crisis Text Line.
