Public Invited to Join Global Pet Walk on Sept. 29

North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital’s “Walk-with-a-Doc” program is joining thousands of people and their pets around the world for the first ever “World’s Largest Pet Walk” on Saturday, Sept. 29. The event encourages people to stay active with their pets to benefit their health.

The public is invited to bring and their pets and join North Hawai’i Community Hospital’s pet therapy dogs on a one-hour walk starting at Pukalani Stables at 8 a.m., rain or shine. Pets must be well-behaved and leashed. No sign up is required.

“The Walk-with-a-Doc program also encourages physical activity in people of all ages, and combining the two activities together was a natural,” said Dr. Natalie Kehau Kong, physician sponsor of North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital’s Walk-with-a-Doc program. “The human-animal bond is a very real connection that can mentally and physically positively impact our well-being, with pets encouraging us to get out and be more active than we might otherwise be.”

“We encourage all members of the community to join us in support of World’s Largest Pet Walk,” said Julia Ramos, North Hawai‘i Community Hospital volunteer coordinator and fund development manager. “Bring your pet and if you don’t have one, we have therapy animals you can walk with.”

People interested in becoming a pet therapy team can learn more at www.petpartners.org or visit the hospital’s website at www.nhch.com. For questions, call (808) 881-4421.