Nearly 100 people attended the Paws for Fall Pet Fest in Stickney on Saturday, Sept. 12, bringing their dogs to swim in pools, grab free treats, and pose for pictures with a pony dressed as a unicorn.
The event, held from 1 to 3 p.m. at 41st and Ridgeland, is organized by Mayor Mitch Milenkovic and the Parks and Recreation Committee. Village Trustee Debra Johnson, who started the fest eight years ago after adopting a dog, said it has grown from 5 or 6 vendors to about 13.
“I love it, the people love it, the village loves it, the animals love it—it’s a win for everyone,” Johnson said.
The free hot dogs, chips and water were donated by Friends of Debra Johnson in loving memory of Mayor Jeff Walik.
Th event features vendors selling homemade pet products, free hot dogs and drinks, and attractions like the unicorn pony from Sarah’s Pony Rides in Willow Springs, where visitors could pet and photograph the animal.
K9’s for Veterans, a nonprofit rescue organization, was on hand. Trainer Dave Hume explained the group’s mission: rescuing dogs from shelters and pairing them with veterans struggling with PTSD or traumatic brain injury. The dogs go home with the veteran immediately and return to training once or twice a week or twice a month, depending on the veteran’s schedule.
“We train the dogs to be fully functioning service dogs to meet the specific needs of that veteran,” Hume said.
The organization also provides dogs to firefighters, law enforcement, EMTs, and other first responders. K9’s for Veterans has 60 dogs active in the program and has placed more than 200 total. Hume said the organization has not lost a veteran to PTSD since the program began.
All dogs, food, basic veterinary care, and training are provided at no cost to veterans. Funding comes from private donors and fraternal organizations including the American Legion, VFW, Moose Lodge, Elks, and Eagles.
“My dog goes where I go because it’s difficult for me to go out in public and in crowds without that support,” Hume said.
For more information about K9’s for Veterans, visit www.k9sforveransnfp.org.
One of Stickney’s finest visits with the unicorn 
Stickney Officer Guzman and K9 Hans 
Stella takes a pic with her owners in front of the unicorn 
Dave Hume with K9’s For Veterans and his dogs Tater and Sam 
Stickney Parks & Rec Dept. 
Stickney Fire Chief Jeffrey Boyajian with his dog Sparky 
Wrigley jumped on his owner for a picture 
Stickney Forest View Public Library had free giveaways 
Fancy pet clothes were offered 
One happy dog strolls through the fest 
Trustee Debra Johnson, right, talks with one of the guests