Puppy swim fundraiser makes a splash for Humane Society

By Justin Seward - Lethbridge Herald on September 6, 2023.

Many dogs soaked in the sun with their owners while swimming in the Westminster pool during the annual Paws in the Pool event that was hosted by Lethbridge and District Humane Society on Saturday.
Prior to splashing in the pool, dog owners had to pay an admission fee to get in and there was a silent auction and a barbecue to enjoy as well.
All the funds raised were going back to help needs of the society.
“It’s kind of a very unique event because there’s only one like it here,” said Barb Grodzicky, event organizer and Lethbridge and District Humane Society manager.
“It’s a day when the dogs can come swim in Westminster Pool. There’s no other day that, that can happen and this is the only pool that allows it. So we’re very fortunate that Westminster Association will partner with us to hold this event every year.”
Grodzicky said well they’d have to make sure their dog is social, that’s for sure.
“If a dog doesn’t like other dogs then he’s not going to do well here,” said Grodzicky.
“So what we do is when they’re in the water and playing, they can be off leash. If they’re in the off-leash area, that’s OK off-leash. When they’re on the pool deck they need to be on leash and that makes it much more safe for everybody.”
As for the turnout, Grodzicky said it’s been really good.
“I know that we had a big wave this morning,” she said.
“It quieted down around lunch time and now it’s filling back up again. So I don’t know how many we’ve had. I asked up front a while ago. I think we’re well over 150 dogs. So it just depends. Yeah, they just keep coming in steady.”
Angie Paxman watches for the Paws in the Pool date every year and had rescued Joey the Cocker Spaniel from the Humane Society.
Paxman also had her little dachshund Frankie in the pool with a shark-fin life jacket on.
“But we love going to see the dogs and the cats there, and so it’s definitely my favourite fundraiser of the year,” said Paxman.
“I wait for it. I love that more and more people are coming every year. It’s fabulous. It’s just so fun.”
Diana Kristensen had her golden retrievers Adonis and Aramis and Morkie Gus with her at the pool and said the event to be friendly.
“Sometimes you worry that when you get together with this many animals and a lot of them tend to be off leash, or I mean not necessarily intentionally, but it happens with this many dogs in the water environment and there’s no negative,” she said.
“I’ve never witnessed any negative interactions with the dogs before. Everybody’s pretty happy and the dogs seem to be focused on being in the water.”

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