William Raveis Broder Group is sponsoring the 11th Annual Annual Pooch Plunge, a fundraiser for the West Hartford Dog Park Coalition.

West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s 10th Annual Pooch Plunge. Aug. 20, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto (we-ha.com file photo)

By Ronni Newton

As the official “dog days of summer” wind down, West Hartford dogs are about to have their top dog day.

The West Hartford Dog Park Coalition (WHDPC) has announced that it will again partner with West Hartford-based William Raveis Broder Group to host the annual Pooch Plunge. The 11th annual event will be held Monday, Aug. 19, from 4-7 p.m. in the pool at Beachland Park, 847 South Quaker Lane.

“The Pooch Plunge is an institution,” Suzi Craig of the WHDPC said in a news release. “As a fundraiser, it allows us to keep going as a group while giving the dogs a fun afternoon. We continue to work with the town on options and are fortunate to have the continued support of the William Raveis Broder Group to support fundraising events like the Plunge.”

The Plunge – held annually after town pools are closed to human swimmers but before they are cleaned for the season – will return to Beachland for the second year in a row. This year there will be just one session, and dogs and their owners can come and go as they please, Craig said.

The event is the WHDPC’s largest fundraiser of the year – and a chance for dogs to play together off leash.

The WHDPC has been working to find a suitable area in town to put a permanent, fenced-in area for dogs to exercise and socialize since 2008, and is continuing to work with town leaders to search for and vet viable sites for a permanent dog park.

“We know it’s frustrating for residents who must leave West Hartford to use other towns’ dog parks. We want to thank them for their patience as we continue to work with the town on options for a permanent park,” said Craig.

“Our commitment to the community includes every member of the family, which is why we continue to support the West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s effort to get a dog park,” Scott Broder of William Raveis Broder Group said in a news release.

“The annual Pooch Plunge is one of our favorite events here in town and we hope to see as many dogs as possible this year. This event is not to be missed by any dog in town,” added Evan Berman of William Raveis Broder Group, who is planning to volunteer at the Plunge for the third time.  

The cost to attend the Pooch Plunge is $10 per family, which can be paid in cash at the door or in advance via EventBrite here. A liability waiver must be signed prior to entering the pool area.

Photos from last year’s Plunge can be found on the West Hartford Dog Park Coalition’s Facebook group. 

In addition to William Raveis, Victor Advertising is sponsoring this year’s Plunge. 

For more information about the WHDPC and to learn more about volunteering or supporting the group, go to: www.westhartforddogpark.org or email them at [email protected]. More than 1,600 people are members of the WHDPC Facebook group, and more are welcome to share photos of their furry friends. 

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