Valley Mission Pool event allows dogs to cool off with a swim
The Valley Mission Pool is going to the dogs again this weekend as the Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation Department prepares for its second annual Paws in the Pool event.
This year, the dog swim has expanded from one day to two to give more pooches a chance to take a dip. Last year the event attracted 43 dogs of all sizes.
Small dogs, less than 59 pounds, can take a swim from 1 to 2:15 p.m. Sunday and from 4:45 to 6 p.m. on Monday. The large dogs will take a turn from 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. Sunday and from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. Monday. The pool is at 11123 E. Mission Ave.
There’s another bonus this year – specially made ramps that will allow dogs to climb out of the pool. They were created as an Eagle Scout project by Colin Lambie, a 2013 Central Valley High School graduate who is at Washington State University this fall.
“They are awesome,” said Recreation Coordinator Jennifer Papich. “I was very impressed with how he put them together.”
Weights on the bottom of the ramps keep them from floating away. Plastic strips were added to the wood to provide grip.
“They made sure they smoothed the edges out so it wouldn’t hurt the dogs’ feet,” she said. Last year the Parks Department attempted a makeshift ramp to help the animals out of the water. “We don’t have stairs going in and out of the pool,” she said.
The event is $5 per animal. The dogs must be older than 6 months, and owners must show documentation proving their dogs are up to date on vaccinations. If a dog makes a mess, its owner must clean it up. Owners are not allowed in the pool with the pooches.
Veterinarians from the Cheney Veterinary Clinic will be on hand to make sure dogs are healthy before they go for a swim. They will also be offering distemper/Parvo boosters, kennel cough vaccinations and rabies shots for $14 each.
People are advised to arrive early if they have not registered because space is limited. Call the Parks Department at (509) 688-0300 on Monday to register for Monday’s sessions.