Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center welcomes hundreds of dogs to second annual Bark in the Park 5K
The Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center (RCHC), in collaboration with Purina Cornell CHAMP (Canine Healthy Aging & Mobility Program), hosted its second annual Bark in the Park - 5K Fun Run & Walk on March 29 in New York City's Central Park. The non-competitive and family-friendly race welcomed participants of all abilities, including experienced solo runners and those who simply enjoyed a leisurely stroll with their canine companions. The 5K paired with a multi-prize raffle and superlative awards given to attendees and their dogs following the race. Awards included Most Determined Doggo, Heart of the Pack, Golden Retriever Energy, Super Sniffer and Dynamic Duo.
Roughly 370 human participants and 300 canine participants joined in person, showcasing an increase compared to last year’s totals. A virtual option allowed registrants to take part from the comfort of their own neighborhoods, which included participants from Virginia, Washington, New York, Pennsylvania and Kansas. This year’s event also featured its first international check-in with one virtual attendee participating in Western Australia.
The collaborative effort included community members from the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, the Cornell University Hospital for Animals, the Duffield Institute for Animal Behavior, the Cornell Feline Health Center, Cornell University Veterinary Specialists, advisory council members and Cornell alumni.
Bark in the Park was sponsored by Purina, and served as an opportunity to support the RCHC's mission of providing canine health information and raising funds to help strengthen the center's grant program. Event registration and participant donations assisted in the funding of canine health research, helping dogs live longer, healthier, happier lives. Since the launch of the RCHC in late 2021, the center has funded $3 million dollars in canine health research. That includes nearly 30 faculty research projects, 11 clinical residents and $1.3 million in hospital equipment grants.
To see more photos and some of these pups in action, follow Riney Canine Health Center social media.
Story and photos by John Enright, Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center
Dr. Nicole Buote, director of the Riney Canine Health Center, stands with participants at the starting line of the second annual Bark in the Park 5K.
A pup surveys the scene from the ground level in front of the Riney booth prior to the start of the 5k.
Noted social media influencers Dash and Lili, a pair of NYC based Corgis with Cornell connections, pose for pictures and belly rubs prior to the start of the race.
A Bark in the Park 5K participant finishes the race with their canine companion. Runners completed two laps in Central Park in late March as part of the day's activities.
A dog and its companion show off their Golden Retriever energy in front of the crowd after accepting a post-race award.
A pup enjoys the end of golden hour in front of the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park.
Bark in the Park 5K participants complete the first lap of the race with their pups, friends and fellow canine companions.
Bark in the Park 5K participants display their official event prizes after winning one of several raffles following the race.
A pup proudly shows off its Bark in the Park bandana and socializes with participants prior to the 5K.
Riney team members and participants from the second annual Bark in the Park 5K gather in New York City's Central Park in late March.
