FORT CARSON, Colo. (Sept. 7, 2013) -- Hundreds of Soldiers and their Family members brought their dogs to the Fort Carson Outdoor Pool for Doggie Day, to relax and take a swim with man's best friend, Sept. 7.
Doggie Day at the Pool began three years ago; when the aquatics staff had the idea that on the last day the pool is open, to let dogs in and swim. Since the first Doggie Day, the pool has averaged about 150 dogs each year.
"We close the pool Labor Day, because everyone is back in school, and that following Saturday is when we open it up for the dogs," said Jennifer Pearson, aquatics manager, Fort Carson. "Really, it's just a fun time for people to come in and swim with their dogs."
Pearson said she enjoys this event because it's fun to watch people and their dogs interact with each other.
"All the Families that come, and all the dogs that come, you just watch, they'll have a blast; they just enjoy it," said Pearson. "You'll see so many different types of dogs here, and it's fun to watch them swimming, or at least trying to swim in the pool."
Staff Sgt. Jeff Hartness, radiology specialist, Medical Department Activity, and his son, K.T. Hartness, spent the afternoon swimming in the deep end of the pool with their dog, Cooper.
"It was a great day at the pool," said Jeff Hartness. "I know our dog enjoyed it, it was his first time out here, and we look forward to next year's event.
"We actually heard about this last year, but unfortunately we didn't get a chance to do it, so we've been looking forward to this," Jeff Hartness said. "It's definitely a morale booster for everybody, to have the opportunity to do something like this; I don't see any public pools doing anything like this. Everyone I saw here had a good time today."
K.T. Hartness also expressed how much he liked the event.
"Today was awesome, I had a lot of fun," said K.T Hartness. "It was a great time to swim with my dog at the pool; I wish we could do this more often."
Social Sharing