The Office of Student Community Services sponsors numerous initiatives throughout the year dedicated to giving back to our campus and local community. On Sunday, October 29, we are hosting a dog parade and social to benefit Wishmakers on Campus®.
Wishmakers on Campus® is a program to benefit Make-A-Wish® in which college students raise money for local children who need more hope and happiness in their lives. Students rally together to plan and coordinate fundraising campaigns to help a wish come true, the average cost of a wish is $5,000.
The Paw Parade will feature a costume contest for pups of all age and sizes! Dogs and their owners will start the walk at the intersection of King Street and High Street. They will end the parade at the Midway next to the Student Center (about 2/10ths of a mile) on a red carpet! Students, faculty, staff and other dog lovers will be lining the sidewalks to watch. Once at the Midway, the party begins. There will be a doggie kissing booth, hot beverages, snacks, lawn games, dog pools, and more! There will also be water bowls and plastic bags for your pup.
This event is FREE for attendees not in the parade. All attendees will have the opportunity to vote on which dog they think should win this year’s Paw Parade Royal Pup Award and enjoy the fun activities!
Register all dogs below under Parade Registration section who plan to be in the parade!
Donate to participate in Royal Pup Award Fundraiser here.
Sunday, October 29, 2023
12:30 PM | Check-in & Registraton
Parade Participants should check-in at Stutzman-Slonaker building (210 King St.), on the corner of King and High streets. Participants can park in the lot (Lot A) diagonal from Blue Moon or on the street.
1:00 PM | Parade and Social Begins
Parade attendees and dog lovers should line the streets to cheer on their favorite dog. When the parade is over, attendees and participants can enjoy fun activities on the Midway, the grass lawn next to the Student Center.
- Doggie kissing booth with photographer
- Halloween photo ops and giveaways
- Hot beverages and snacks
- Lawn games (cornhole, can jam, etc.)
- Dog pools and more
Following Parade | Award Announcements
President Hendrix and special guests will be judging all furry participants for the Best Costume Award! 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will be announced.
To participate in the “Paw Parade Royal Pup” fundraiser, donate ahead of time online and receive tickets the day of the event to place your votes. At the event, stop by the ticket booth to receive tickets valuing the amount of your donation. Tickets can then be placed in jars that display a picture of the dogs in the parade for votes!
Donate to Royal Pup Fundraiser
Parade Registration Process
Parade participants should register online (below) and ahead of time. A picture of your pup should be emailed to Aly Nazarok, event director, at anazarok@shepherd.edu. This picture will be used for the “Paw Parade Royal Pup” fundraiser. A picture of your dog will go on a donation jar. Attendees will vote by placing a donation (or tickets from their online donation) in the jar of their choice. The dog with the most donations wins! Participants can register on site starting at 12:00 pm at Stutzman-Slonaker, 210 N King Street. If you registering day of, please bring a picture of your dog with you so they can be apart of the Royal Pup contest and fundraiser!
All parade participants will need to sign a waiver the day of the event. Waivers will be provided at check-in. The waiver is also accessible before for review prior to the event. Shepherd is not responsible or liable for the actions of other dogs. Dogs must be on a leash at all times. Wishmakers on Campus® asks participants only bring dogs that are comfortable in large crowds.
Paw Parade and Party Participant Waiver
If you prefer to pay your registration fee by check, please download this form. Make the check payable to Shepherd University Foundation, put Student Community Service Projects in the “other” line on the form, and mail it to:
Shepherd University Student Affairs DivisionAttention: Aly NazarokPO Box 5000Shepherdstown, WV 25443
For assistance, contact Meg Patterson at the Shepherd University Foundation by calling 304-876-5021 or mpeterson@shepherd.edu.