Behind the Scenes with the Heroes of the Atlanta Dog Jog

As May 2nd, the day of the Atlanta Dog Jog, approaches, Kathy Armistead (pictured above) is determined to do everything she can to ensure its success—from handing out fliers in order to advise local people of the event’s new location at Brook Run Park in Dunwoody, to identifying and contacting potential vendors and sponsors.

After seeing an appeal for volunteers, Armistead has become one of many Dog Jog advocates who have given up their spare time to help promote and organize the event, which includes a one-mile fun run or walk, and a 5K race with dogs. The Dunwoody mother of two grown children is the owner of three Labradors (Chester, Buddy and Hershel Walker) and helps to manage her parents’ dog sitting and dog vacation business. She is motivated by her life-long affinity for dogs, and the good causes that the Dog Jog supports.

“In addition to the dog business, I am a wellness coach, and the Dog Jog is the perfect community-driven event to help folks, families and their dogs to be active and have fun together,” says Armistead. “I am excited by the positive impact that dogs bring, and part of the proceeds from the Dog Jog helps to train canines to provide companionship and assistance for people with disabilities.”

Although Armistead is a newcomer to the Dog Jog, Dr. Needham Bateman (second picture) was a part of its inception 28 years ago. As a former president of the board of the Greater Atlanta Veterinary Medical Association, he was closely involved in the planning and organizing of the very first Atlanta Dog Jog.

Now retired, Dr. Bateman owned and managed the Peachtree Animal Hospital, located in Chamblee, for nearly 35 years, after graduating from the Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Given his early exposure to animals, it is not surprising that Dr. Bateman joined the veterinary profession and became involved in pet-related causes. “I had animals as a child, and my uncle was a vet,” he recalls. “I helped him in his animal hospital and went on calls with him to farms when I was nine years old. I knew then that I wanted a career working with animals.”

“I am pleased the Dog Jog has come to my part of town!” says Dr. Bateman, a Dunwoody resident, who is married with two grown children and has a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Duke. “I still try to help out at the Dog Jog. Over the years, I have stuffed gift bags, handed out entry numbers, bandanas and t-shirts, registered the joggers and monitored finishing times. It is a unique event, and I enjoy the spectacle of all the dogs and the people who take part.”

Dr. Duffy Jones (third picture) also plays a very active role in the Dog Jog. He owns and manages the Peachtree Hills Animal Hospital in Buckhead, and he has been involved with the Dog Jog for several years. Last year, he played a leading role in planning the event and even served as emcee throughout the proceedings.

“I think it is important that the veterinary community gives back, and the Atlanta Dog Jog is a great way to do that,” says Dr. Jones. The Buckhead father of three and owner of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, called Ellie, decided to join the veterinary profession after taking a summer job at his local veterinary clinic while still in high school. He went on to receive his doctorate from the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine (now called the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine).

Dr. Jones has inspired his employees to contribute to the Dog Jog. Dr. Tara Rittle (third picture, left), former winner of Atlanta Magazine’s Best Exotics Vet; Paige Simpson (third picture, second from left), veterinary technician; and Jessica Gonzales (third picture, third from left), senior receptionist at the animal hospital, are all looking forward to helping out during this year’s event. “It is all about community,” says Gonzales. “To have an event that dogs can be a part of, where the dogs and their owners can get together for some exercise—that is what makes the Atlanta Dog Jog special.”

“The Dog Jog involves dozens of unsung heroes who work behind the scenes and who help out during the actual event,” says Dr. Jones. “But let’s not forget the real heroes—all the dogs who take part in the jog, all the dogs who give unconditional love and comfort to their owners, and all the dogs who are trained to help people with disabilities. We are hoping that this year’s Dog Jog will be the biggest yet, and that could mean hundreds of four-legged heroes.”

To take part in the Atlanta Dog Jog this year, to check registration requirements, or to learn more about the causes that benefit from the event, please visit: www.atlantadogjog.org. The online registration for the Dog Jog has now expired. Participants may register at Brook Run Park from 7 a.m., before the first jog.

To learn more about the dog sitting and vacation business operated by Kathy Armistead’s family, please visit: http://www.dogvacay.com/pro/grandpasdoghouse