August 16, 2023

2022 WAG & Walkathon Cross the Finish Line — Pet owners take part in the 2022 Wag & Walkathon (Photo courtesy of PAWS for People)

PAWS for People, the Newark-based pet therapy nonprofit, will host its 15th annual month-long, cumulative Wag & Walkathon between Sept. 21 and Oct. 21. Participants can run or walk logging 26.2 miles at their own pace anytime throughout the month individually, with a pet or with friends.

The Wag & Walkathon kicks off with a Facebook Live Step-Off on Thursday, Sept. 21. With the theme, “Make Every Step Count,” people of all ages and from any location are invited to join the effort to walk and support PAWS for People; get pledges from their family, friends, and neighbors; and come together to complete this year’s cumulative marathon. The event concludes on Oct. 21 at Glasgow Park with PAWS Furry Fall Festival which features family-friendly fun, entertainment, food, vendors, doggie games, and contests. Well-behaved, licensed dogs are welcome to attend.

“Now in our 15th year, the Wag & Walkathon has become our biggest fundraising event of the year,” said Clarice Ritchie, executive director, PAWS for People. “It’s been rewarding to see the event both grow in popularity and, at the same time, have such a positive impact on our ability to continue to offer critical pet therapy programs to the local/regional community.”

Once again, The Kennel Club of Philadelphia’s National Dog Show joins PAWS as the presenting sponsor of the event. In 2022, this partnership raised over $62,000 for the wide-ranging PAWS for People Pet Therapy programming in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

“This is one of the most dynamic therapy dog organizations that I have encountered,” said David Frei, an analyst for the National Dog Show on NBC and a member of the Kennel Club of Philadelphia. “This partnership has elevated all parties and the great work they do with dogs and the public about responsible pet parenting.” Frei, founder of the well-known therapy dog organization, Angel on a Leash, is one of the leaders of the modern therapy dog movement, opening up multiple New York City healthcare institutions to therapy dog visitation during his 28 years as the face and voice of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Registration details

Early Bird registration by Aug. 31: $20 for adults; $10 for children Beginning Sept. 1: Adults (13 & over): $25. Children (12 & under): $10 Register at www.pawsforpeople.org/walkathon or call 302-351-5622.

About Press Release

Police Log Aug 16: Harassment, DUI, drug possession

Police

Pennsylvania State Police

Media Barracks

• Police said two people, unidentified and only described as a 33-year-old man from West Chester and a 19-year-old woman from Sarasota, Fla., were arrested following a report of a domestic incident. Police said they determined that a physical alteration had taken place and the two were cited for harassment. The investigation is continuing.

• On July 19, at 6:05 p.m. state police responded to a call from the Wawa at 1413 Wilmington Pike in Chadds Ford about a woman “sitting in her car smoking something from a pipe.” A 26-year-old man from Philadelphia was arrested. No identification was given.

• State police said they arrested Michael Hopkins, 48, of West Chester, for stealing $84 worth of crab legs from Wegmans on July 18.

• Louis Galasso, 35, of Philadelphia, was arrested for drug possession in Concord Township, police said. The arrest happened at 2:38 a.m. following a traffic stop on Conchester Highway at Cambridge Road. The police report said they determined Galasso to be DUI and was in possession of a controlled substance.

Avondale Barracks

• State police from the Avondale barracks are investigating a case of credit card fraud in Pennsbury Township. The only details released were that it was reported on Aug. 12 and that there was, as yet no monetary loss.

• A 38-year-old man from West Chester, not identified, was arrested for criminal mischief and ethnic intimidation following a disturbance on Clarks Lane in Pocopson Township on Aug. 10. The incident was reported at 6:08 p.m.

Kennett Square Police Department

• Police said Yonic Camacho-Lopez was arrested for threatening to kill his brother during a family disturbance. According to the police report, the victim told officers he would like to file charges. Police were able to interview three people involved in the incident and, based on those interviews, Camacho-Lopez was arrested on charges of harassment and making terrorist threats. The incident happened on July 29 and the arrest was made on Aug. 1.

• Abel Tomas-Juarez was arrested for DUI after the red sedan he was driving crashed into the guide rail on the South Union Street Bridge on July 16 at 1:29 a.m., according to a police report. The suspect reportedly told police he didn’t know how the accident happened, but police said they saw indicators of intoxication. FGield sobriety tests showed impairment, the report said, and a chemical test revealed his blood alcohol level to be 0.189 percent.