The Oktibbeha County Humane Society hosted its 12th annual Dog Paddle event at the Moncrief Park pool on Sept. 10.
The event is held yearly, right before the pool is drained, and all funds go toward the humane society and local dog shelters.
The dog paddle allows owners to give back to their community while spending quality time with their pets. Dogs of all shapes and sizes mingle and play while swimming in the pool before it is drained.
Brittany and Jonathon Terry were in attendance and brought their dogs, Olive and Moose, to the event. For Brittany and Moose, this was their third year participating in the pool party but Jonathon and Olive’s first.
The owners said both dogs had a great time at the event and will be returning next year. The Terrys said they enjoy the event because it allows their dogs to be active and meet new friends.
“They love to swim, and I also love that they can have a dog day and enjoy themselves,” Jonathon Terry said.
When the event began in 2010, it was small and hard to advertise. During the recent event, however, the turnout was larger than ever. The Terrys noticed this as soon as they arrived.
“The amount of people here, the amount of dogs here and the amount of money that they’re able to raise just by having a simple pool day is just so great,” Brittany Terry said.
At this year’s Dog Paddle, each member paid a $30 fee at the door which included two people, one dog and a signature event T-shirt. Visitors could register online for $20.
Along with local dog owners and their pets, the humane society brought out some of their dogs from the Starkville shelter to play and meet any potential owners that might be attending.
“This gives the dogs from the shelter the opportunity to venture out and meet people in hopes of getting adopted,” said Darryn Price, a local worker at the Starkville Animal Shelter.
Price has been an employee at the shelter for over 10 months. While she does not have a dog of her own, she said she still wanted to show her support and be there for the shelter dogs she loves.
She said the Dog Paddle is a great way to bring Starkville closer as a community and give the residents and dogs time to meet others.
“It brings the community together with their dogs, and everyone tends to socialize,” Price said.
Not only does the yearly Dog Paddle bring the community together, but it is also a fundraiser for the humane society. Jan Fitzgerald, a humane society board member, explained how this particular event supports animal shelters in the area financially.
“We are very careful with how we spend the money that comes into our hands, and I know that we are also trying to expand our shelter,” Fitzgerald said. “That’s going to be very expensive, and we are starting this project very soon.”
Fitzgerald first began as a volunteer for the OCHS, but it quickly became an escape for her to give back to the community of Starkville. Then, she was invited to become a board member, and Fitzgerald said she is proudest of this honor.
Fitzgerald said seeing friends from the community and watching the dogs interact are some of the highlights of the annual event. 
“It’s almost like the dogs know the event is for them,” she said.
The event welcomes anyone and all dogs to come out and swim while getting to know the Starkville community. Fitzgerald said she hopes in the future the shelter can advertise their events even more and see more Mississippi State University students present.
“There’s just such joy, and you’re also around like-minded people, so it becomes a bonding time as well,” said Fitzgerald.