DogFest New England 2022 Supporting Canine Companions
DogFest New England 2022 Supporting Canine Companions
About DogFest 2022 New England
Gather your friends, family, and dogs for a day of fun!
The human-canine bond is truly unique. On our happiest and hardest of days, our dogs love us endlessly. They are our everyday heroes in so many ways. Whether as assistance dogs, working dogs, or pet dogs, there are countless tales of man's best friend doing amazing things. Join the fun at your local DogFest as we celebrate the joy dogs bring to our lives. Registration is free. Fundraising is encouraged. There are sponsorship, volunteer, and vendor opportunities too!
When registering, be sure to indicate you are bringing a dog to get your free DogFest dog bandana. Then fundraise to qualify for some fun DogFest swag!
Be sure to check out our Facebook event page for the latest on DogFest New England, participate in dog-friendly activities and let people know why you are participating. You can even download this fun sign and let everyone know how your dog brings you joy.
DogFest supports the mission of Canine Companions to enhance the lives of people with disabilities by providing expertly trained service dogs free of charge. These service dogs make a profound impact through the jobs they do like opening doors, picking up dropped items, alerting to sounds, and much more.
Don’t miss out on DogFest. Join the fun!
Canine Companions' Impact Since 1975
More Reasons to Support
Date
Starts at: October 30, 2022 10:00 AM
Ends at: October 30, 2022 1:00 PM
Location
Polar Park
100 Madison St
Worcester,MA 01608 USA
Contact
AnnaMaria Jacobson
1-631-561-0237
Gather your friends, family and dogs for a day of fun!
DogFest is Canine Companions' national signature event, supporting the mission of Canine Companions to enhance the lives of people with disabilities by providing expertly trained service dogs free of charge. These service dogs make a profound impact through the jobs they do like opening doors, picking up dropped items, alerting to sounds and much more. Your participation makes a profound impact.
Our dogs love us endlessly, and the human-canine bond is powerful! Whether as service dogs, working dogs or pet dogs, there are countless tales of our best friends doing amazing things. We invite you to join the fun at your local DogFest or participate virtually as we gather to celebrate the joy dogs bring to our lives. Registration is free. Fundraising is encouraged.
There are sponsorship [LINK], volunteer [LINK] and vendor [LINK] opportunities, too!
Why We Fundraise
Canine Companions transforms the lives of people with disabilities by providing expertly trained service dogs. Our dogs perform practical tasks that enhance independence and reduce reliance on others. They aren't just the eyes and ears, hands and legs of their human partners, they're also goodwill ambassadors and often, our best friends. A student achieves their dreams of attending college. A veteran gets a good night sleep. A patient can endure an additional procedure. Lives are transformed after being matched and working with a Canine Companions service dog.
According to the U.S. Census, nearly 1 in 4 people in the U.S. have a disability. While it costs approximately $50,000 to raise and train every Canine Companions service dog and provide ongoing support to the human-canine team, each dog is provided to the recipient completely FREE of charge. Canine Companions has placed over 7,200 service dogs, but more than 400 people with disabilities are still waiting for a match.
Our service dogs open up new opportunities and spread incredible joy. By raising funds through DogFest, you support our mission and the people we serve. Thank you.
Canine Companions in the Northeast Region
- 457 active graduates
- 205 active puppy raisers
Stories of Independence: Meet Team Tracy and Hannon
Tracy Claudio is a US Navy veteran from Massachusetts who continues to serve her country by helping veterans any way she can. She works at the Dept of Veteran Affairs in the Mental Illness Research and Clinical Center (aka MIRECC) as a Health Science Specialist helping researchers involve Veterans in improving how VA services can best serve them. Tracy was diagnosed with PTSD after her time in the Service in 1999; she knows and can relate with other veterans like her and has become a trusted mentor. Although it's been many years, Tracy's PTSD still has its challenges. She always had a love for animals and trained her own dogs to help her the best she could, but it wasn't until 2018 when she lost her last dog that she found Canine Companions. She said it was divine intervention that as she was struggling to find another dog that the VA invited Canine Companions to come to her facility and give a presentation. Tracy called Canine Companions immediately.
In December 2019, Tracy became one of the first graduates of the veteran program from the Northeast Region and was matched with Hannon, a full yellow Labrador. They connected instantly. She said the first day she met Hannon he ran right to her like he was thinking, “YUP, she's mine, she needs me!" It was a very emotional moment. She was amazed how much Hannon could do and never realized how much more help he could be to her than those other dogs she had tried to train herself before. She has gained back her independence and confidence to take on the everyday tasks that those without PTSD find so much easier. Hannon accompanies Tracy to work every day and is happy to help whenever needed. Tracy and Hannon participate in all their charity work with the Disabled American Veterans Billerica Chapter 47, the Bedford Rotary Club, and supports Canine Companions. Tracy has sponsored lunches for Team Training and supported fundraising and volunteer events with her local Bay Area Volunteer Chapter.
In 2021, Canine Companions awarded Tracy with the Salute to Independence Award for her outstanding and exemplary service to her country. Tracy continues to be appreciative to Canine Companions for all that Hannon has done for her that she has made several media appearances on TV or other sources on behalf of Canine Companions to help spread the word to others who would benefit from a service dog. Now, thanks to Canine Companions, there is no place that Tracy feels uncomfortable to go with Hannon by her side.
Meet our Emcee: Jason Brewer
For over a decade, Boston 25 Meteorologist Jason Brewer has been an avid supporter of Canine Companions. A Connecticut native, Jason was working for WESH-TV (NBC) in Orlando, Florida when he joined the advisory board for Canine Companions Southeast Region in 2011. Jason volunteered as emcee for DogFest Orlando, and for the Southeast Region’s annual gala Tales & Tails. In 2015, Jason accepted a position with WFXT-TV, Boston 25. Since that time, Jason has joined the advisory board for Canine Companions Northeast Region, attending point-of-entry events, highlighting Canine Companions on Boston 25 News, and sharing our mission on social media.
Jason and his wife have three sons, Wils, Benton, and Witt. They also have a chocolate Labrador Retriever named B.B. (short for Baylor Bear).
When he's not forecasting the weather, Jason loves spending time with his wife, Boston 25's Vanessa Welch, being a dad, skiing, traveling, music, cooking, hiking, and even golfing when his busy schedule allows.
We are so excited to welcome Jason back this year as the emcee for DogFest New England 2022!
Sponsor Spotlight
The Learning Center for the Deaf is a nationally recognized leader of services for deaf and hard of hearing children, adults, and families. Their services include a Pre-K to 12+ day school, therapeutic residential program for ages 8-22, outpatient audiology clinic for all ages, wraparound behavioral health, interpreting services and communication access for academic, business, and medical settings, and public-school partnership program across Massachusetts. The learning Center for the Deaf has generously donated their interpreting services at DogFest New England, and we are excited to be working together!
Want to see your company spotlighted? Click here for more information about becoming a sponsor!