If you’ve ever been lucky enough to own a dog, you’ll know of the joy and unconditional love they bring to your life in abundance. No one understands this better than New York-based Corinne Conover, whose love for her dog, coupled with a desire to help others turned into a heart-warming community project. Paw It Forward sees kind-hearted volunteers walk the dogs of cancer patients, senior citizens or anyone with a physical disability who may not be able to get outside as much as they would like. Here, she tells us more.
The inspiration for Paw It Forward came when I went to take my beloved Sonny, a rescue dog, to become a therapy dog for seniors and cancer patients. I wanted to volunteer with Sonny, so while I was helping people, he could be there too, bringing smiles to everyone’s faces. He unfortunately failed the test twice though as it was an environment he couldn’t adjust to. I was dismayed by this, because all my life since the age of nine I have volunteered in some capacity with cancer patients or children. While walking last June, I came up with the idea that I could put Sonny in the environment he thrives in – the great outdoors – with trail runs, leisure walks, and lots of adventure. Meanwhile, I could help the cancer patient, senior citizen, or physically disabled person struggling to walk their own dogs. I turned to Sonny and said “we can do this,” and Paw it Forward was born.