Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation hosted the Demon and Doggie Dash Oct. 31, inviting service members, civilians and their four-legged companions from around the National Capital Region to compete in the eighth two-mile run/one-mile walk in the 2014 holiday race series on the Fort Myer Portion of JBM-HH.
The JBM-HH's Army Community Service Family Advocacy Program volunteered with FMWR to raise awareness of the correlation between pet abuse and domestic violence. The event marked the last during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Research shows that 71 percent of pet-owning women who enter domestic violence shelters reported that their batterer had injured, maimed, killed or threatened family pets for revenge or to psychologically control their intimate partners, according to the American Humane Association.
"The goal was not only to raise awareness, but also to highlight the fact that dogs and family pets are important to us," said Lindsay Seals, FAP family advocate. "We all love our pets, but there is a population out there that is being abused that not many people think about."
In the dark, 97 participants, including dogs, lined up at the start line. Some in regular attire, but others in costumes for the holiday.
"It was a fun way to get our community and their pets together for an important cause," said Seals.
Overall male winner, Nick Wong finished in 11:37. Overall finisher in the female division, Yoko Whitestone completed the race in 13:20. All participants finished before sunrise.
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