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Hospital sponsors stroll with pooches up for adoption

Susie McMahon of Washington Twp. with Jackson, a dog up for adoption from the Humane Society of Greater Dayton, just before they take off on the free senior health walk. Observing is Bill Beal of Bellbrook, an avid walker. Staff photo by Katherine Ullmer

Staff photos by Katherine Ullmer Susie McMahon of Washington Twp. with Jackson, a dog up for adoption from the Humane Society of Greater Dayton, just before they take off on the free senior health walk. Observing is Bill Beal of Bellbrook, an avid walker. Staff photo by Katherine Ullmer

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Photos: Health walk shared with dogs

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By Katherine Ullmer, Staff Writer Updated 10:33 AM Wednesday, July 29, 2009

CENTERVILLE — It was billed as a leisurely one-mile, free senior health walk that would take about an hour, shared with dogs up for adoption by The Humane Society of Greater Dayton.

Some of the dogs thought otherwise. By the first curve in the woods, the majority of the pack and their handlers, led by a big brown shaggy dog named Jackson, left some walkers in the dust.

Earlier on July 14, five dogs up for adoption by the Humane Society, arrived at the front entrance to Miami Valley Hospital South, sponsor of the walk on the campus’ scenic walking path.

Don and Dorothy Behan of Centerville, both in their 80s, and their daughter Cathy Feighery, arrived hoping to find a small dog to walk with, but “they go fast and are usually the first to be adopted,” said Caitlin Powell of Moraine, community outreach coordinator for the Humane Society.

The Behans ended up with a large white “pointer” named Blossom, who tugged on the leash the whole walk. Blossom had the company of Bear, a 3-year-old black-and-white toy poodle, belonging to Diane Dermody of Centerville, a retired Kiser High School history teacher. Bear is training to be a therapy dog for sick children. “Bear loves children,” Dermody said.

Bear walked beside Charlie, a 5-year-old Shih Tzu belonging to Connie Lane of Centerville.

By the first bend in the gravel path, the Behans, Dermody and Lane found themselves left behind, not to run into the others until an hour later when they arrived back at the patio behind the hospital at Clyo Road and Wilmington Pike. They stopped to watch Bear show off some obedience school training along the way, while Charlie, heading back to obedience school, refused to sit on his master’s command. “After all, it is a walk,” Lane said.

Jackson, the big brown Humane Society dog walked by Susie McMahon of Washington Twp., and the rest of the pack ended their walk a half hour earlier. “He walked me,” McMahon said. “He wanted to be first. He wouldn’t let anyone get ahead of him.”

Anita Violette of Belmont, on her third monthly walk, had a Beagle named Henry, who “pulled the whole way.”

Bill Beal of Bellbrook, a retired banker who lives next to the Sugarcreek Reserve and walks a lot of trails there, kept up with the fast pack without a dog.

Elise Hutter, an intern at Miami Valley Hospital South, led the walk. Nancy Thickel, manager of public relations for Miami Valley Hospital and her daughter Alex, who just graduated from Ohio University, both residents of Oakwood, kept pace with Jackson’s group, walking two Humane Society dogs. Alex said she hopes to get a small Pug soon, while McMahon, who likes walking dogs, hopes to get an adult medium-sized dog from the pound.

The dogs all enjoyed a bowl of water at the end of their walk while the adults had big chocolate chip cookies and bottled water. The next walks are scheduled for 9 a.m. Aug. 11 and Sept. 8. Call (877) MVH-HLTH to register.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2341 or kullmer@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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