Spring is here, and it’s a great time to run your hound around town. LSU School of Veterinary Medicine offers a chance to jumpstart your fitness routine with its 22nd annual Great Rover Road Run Sunday, March 15.
“It’s important to recognize proper nutrition in combination with an appropriate exercise regimen are very important to the overall health of pets and their owners,” says Keith Jarrett III, a vet student and race coordinator. “As a bonus, a healthy lifestyle strengthens the bond between you and your four-legged best friend.”
Last year’s event attracted 75 runners and about 10 dogs. This year’s event begins at 8 a.m. with a 5K race for competitive runners—without dogs—that starts at the vet school and winds through the LSU campus. The one-mile fun run for dogs and their owners follows down Skip Bertman Drive at 9:15 a.m.
For the safety of canine and human runners, neither female dogs in heat nor aggressive animals are allowed on campus. Dog participants must have proof of current vaccination and be controlled on a six-foot, non-retractable leash.
Awards will be presented to the first, second and third-place age-division winners in both the 5K run and one-mile fun run. Water and refreshments will be available as well as a “doggie bag” and t-shirt all pre-registered participants. The expo after the race features a session with a Fleur de Lead trainer.
Proceeds benefit the Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association. The advanced registration is $20 for either the 5K run or the Fun Run, or $30 for both races (or $25 and $35 respectively on race day).
For additional race informational or registration forms, click here.
If you’re ready for a new running buddy, these adoptable dogs would be proud to accompany their new owners to the race.
Creature Feature
Jake is a beautiful, black lab/shepherd mix. He is a happy, playful boy.
Pippa is a sweet girl looking for her forever home. This Cairn terrier mix loves people and other dogs.
Beck is a 4-year-old blue tick beagle. He enjoys playing with toys and other dogs. (He just ignores cats.) Beck is a little timid, so he’s best suited to a home without small children. But, once he gets to know someone he is very affectionate. In fact, more than anything, he loves to be with his “person” no matter what that human is doing. But, he really appreciates his person taking time to teach him new tricks (because he is a very smart and a fast learner).
Baby Girl is a 7-year-old Jack Russell/Chinese Crested mix. She is timid at first, but very sweet once she warms up.
Louie is a beautiful, young Lab mix. He is friendly, good with kids and house trained. In addition, Louie loves to play fetch.
Snickerdoodle’s owner surrendered her and a litter of puppies to a local shelter. The pups have since been adopted. Now, this young terrier mix is ready for a new home. Her previous experiences have made this little dog timid, so she is best suited to a quiet home with someone who has the love and patience to teach her how to trust again.
These dogs have all been vaccinated, spayed/neutered, microchipped and heartworm tested. Many other puppies and dogs are available at Yelp!BR. For more information, click here.
