Around the County: Running with the Dogs

October 3, 2020

Around the County: Running with the Dogs

Around the County is a presentation of Peterson Farms, Inc., www.petersonfarmsinc.com. 

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP —Pentwater High School cross country athletes spend some of their practices running with the dogs at the Oceana County Animal Shelter.

Cross Country Coach Erika Fatura has teamed up with Oceana County Animal Control Officer Mike Garcia to form a unique partnership that benefits both the dogs and the athletes. The happiness the dogs and teens get from the experience is immediately evident with the pups’ wagging tails and the kids’ smiling faces.

The cats at the shelter also get a little extra TLC from the athletes’ parents who visit with them while their kids are running with the dogs, Fatura said.

The program has even resulted in the adoption of one of the dogs. “They are absolutely in love with her,” Fatura said of the couple who adopted the dog named Athena. “We wouldn’t have otherwise connected if it wasn’t for this.”

“It’s nice to see teams from the community come out,” said Garcia. “They’re welcome any time they want to come out, and the dogs like the exercise and like to run, so it works out great.”

The animal shelter is located at 2185 W. Baseline Rd.

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