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PSR Pet Walk to benefit senior citizens and their pets

Event set for October 19 at Wilck’s Lake Park

FARMVILLE, Va. (September 18, 2024) – Piedmont Senior Resources (PSR) will hold its first annual Pet Walk on Saturday, October 19 (rain date: Oct. 26), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wilck’s Lake Park. Proceeds will benefit PSR’s older clients and their pets. The event will include food, craft and corporate vendors, a photo booth, 50/50 raffle drawing, silent auction, pet costume contest, group pet walk, and more. Admission is free, participation requires a ticket. 

CONTACT: Nikki Deanndean@psraaa.org434-767-5588

  • A $10 ticket includes one walk ticket and one pet costume contest entry.
  • A $35 ticket includes one walk ticket, one pet costume contest entry, and a Pet Walk t-shirt (pre-registration by October 1 is required to receive the t-shirt).


In addition, Pet Walk t-shirts can be purchased separately: 1 for $18 or 2 for $30, but these must also be pre-ordered by October 1. Participants who donate a 10lb bag or larger of pet food will receive $5 off their participation ticket.

Funds from the event will benefit PSR’s Pet Love Program launched in 2020 with a special emphasis on love.

“The Pet Love Program’s mission is to spread love to pets and the older adults who love them,” PSR Nutrition Coordinator Nikki Dean said. “We have clients tell us they wouldn’t get out of bed in the morning if it wasn’t for their pets. For many of our clients, a pet is their only companion. Helping these pets stay healthy and alleviating our clients’ monetary burden is what the PSR Pet Love Program is all about.”

The program started with supplying pet food and has grown to include pet supplies and veterinary care assistance.

Dean recalled one incident when a client needed to take her dog for treatment for a possible ear infection but didn’t have the funds to pay for it.

“She told me she had been saving up to buy glasses, but that would have to wait — taking her dog to the vet was more important,” Dean related. “Our funds were low at the time, so I called several regular donors and got enough money for the veterinary visit and any needed medicine. After the vet visit the client called to let me know the dog was doing great — and she got her new glasses!”

Currently, 100 clients and approximately 200 pets are enrolled in the PSR Pet Love Program. Since January 2024, PSR has provided 6,480 pet meals.

For its human clients, PSR provides home-delivered meals, congregate meals at senior centers in the seven counties it serves, homemaker aid services, legal services, insurance counseling, patient advocacy, referral services and minor home repair and other services designed to help seniors lead independent lives and remain safely in their homes.

“Pets are extremely important to the health and well-being of everyone, but especially the elderly,” PSR Executive Director Justine Young said. “A pet is a friend and companion for many of our clients who live alone. PSR’s Pet Love Program works hard to provide pet food, supplies and veterinary care for the pets of seniors who struggle to take care of their furry friends. Public support through events like the upcoming Dog Walk is greatly appreciated!”

All are invited to attend the PSR Pet Love Pet Walk; proceeds will benefit both pets and the older adults who love them.

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About Piedmont Senior Resources:

Piedmont Senior Resources Area Agency on Aging is a private, nonprofit agency that focuses on advocating, advancing and achieving independence ​for persons 60 years and older in Buckingham, Cumberland, Amelia, Nottoway, Lunenburg, Charlotte and Prince Edward counties. For more information, please visit psraaa.org or connect with PSR on Facebook or Instagram.

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