Annual Dog Day of Summer allows therapy and service pups a chance to take a dip

Saskatoon’s annual Dog Day of Summer on Wednesday, welcomed service and therapy pups to come in and take a dip at Mayfair Outdoor Pool.

Now in it’s fifth year, the event closes out Mayfair’s last day of public operation by letting the pooches unwind. It’s becoming a tradition for some owners, including Lori Mcgeary and her dog Winston who enjoyed their third year at the event.

Mcgeary said Winston helps out at hospitals around Saskatoon in Emergency Rooms, coming in and bringing therapy to patients.

When Winston gets into the pool setting though, Mcgeary said he becomes, “Mr. Social,” and is a totally different dog.

Saskatoon service and therapy dogs enjoyed the water at the Dog Day of Summer on August 28, 2019. (Brady Lang/650 CKOM)

“He likes to come and visit with the other dogs,” she said. “He’s a different dog when we put his little vest on. He doesn’t jump on people. When he’s here, he’s more relaxed.”

Ray Ramage and his hearing dog Taylor have come to the Dog Day of Summer all five years it’s been put on. Ramage said the break Taylor gets is great, and he simply just gets to be a dog.

“For me, (I like) the clean water. Otherwise, it’s at the lake. (Taylor) gets to meet the other dogs, socialize with the other dogs and just have some fun.”

Meanwhile, Crystal Shain and her therapy dog Tesla came out to the event for the first time Wednesday.

She said she enjoyed that service and therapy dogs got a chance to come in before it opened to the general public, as it’s a quieter and safer atmosphere.

“That way I know they’re dogs that we can trust to be really good, and it won’t mess up with any of (Tesla’s) training.”

The event runs until 7 p.m. Wednesday for dogs that are pre-registered and licensed through the City of Saskatoon.