The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine

Welcome to the Canine Club

Events

Annual Spay Day

Spay Day is a weekend-long event held each year in the Spring. The dogs are provided by local animal shelters and the surgeries are provided free of charge. Our fundraisers throughout the year offset some of the cost for this event. Junior veterinary students perform the surgery, and sophomore and freshman veterinary students perform the role of anesthetists.

Approximately 65 students are involved each year. The students are overseen by several boarded surgeons and staff from the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital and veterinary technicians from Athens Technical College.

The surgeries are performed with the highest care and quality of medicine, and all the dogs are provided with pain relief medication.

While Spay Day is an excellent learning experience for the students involved, it also benefits the participating shelters by saving them money and making the dogs more adoptable.

The Annual Doggie Dash

photo from the Doggie Dash 2007

Every year since 1992, the Club has held the Doggie Dash, a run/walk for dogs and their owners. This event is co-sponsored by Hill's Pet Nutrition.

The 17th Annual Doggie Dash was held on April 12, 2008. The top male runner was Luke Williams with his dog Abby; the top female runner was Cecile Deen with her dog Mabel. Thanks to all who participated!

This event is a fundraising effort to support the Nicky Fund. The Nicky Fund is dedicated to research in the field of canine cancer. All of the money raised at Doggie Dash goes solely towards canine cancer research in effort to find better therapies, medicine, and possibly a cure.

Doggie Dash also provides an entertaining way for the College of Veterinary Medicine to interact with the community. The event is held in the Spring at Lake Herrick, adjacent to UGA's intramural fields. The course is a 2km (1.3 mile) trail through the woods and around the lake.

Local businesses generously donate raffle prizes for the participants and awards for the top three male and female finishers. The registration fee is $15 before the event, and $20 the day of the event.

Dogs and their owners gathered Saturday morning at Lake Herrick to raise money for canine cancer research. (Kendra Wayculis -- The Red & Black)

Photo by: Kendra Wayculis, The Red & Black

All dogs must be leashed and have a current rabies vaccination.

To view some of the photos from Doggie Dash 2007, visit our Kodak Gallery album

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This page last updated May 13, 2008.