It’s not easy transporting a 165-pound dog around town, let alone one that is sopping wet from taking a dip in nearby White Rock Lake. But for Peggy Walker, the owner and handler of Quinn, a 5-year-old Leonberger with webbed feet, it’s all in a day’s work.
For the past two years, Quinn has participated in Swim Across America – Dallas (SAA) open water swim to raise money in support of cancer research, swimming alongside former Olympians and cancer survivors, and raising more than $10,000 through his personal fundraising page.
Quinn, a 5-year old, 165 pound Leonberger, swims to raise money for cancer research
“Quinn loves the water, and fortunately for us we can use his love of swimming to help people facing cancer,” Walker says, herself a cancer survivor.
Proceeds from SAA benefit the Innovative Clinical Trials Center at Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center at Dallas, where Quinn works as a therapy dog bringing joy and comfort to patients facing devastating diseases.
Daniel Watters, 1988 Olympian & Swim Across America Co-Chair
“Quinn is a celebrity everywhere he goes,” says Daniel Watters, SAA co-chair, and a member of the 1988 Olympic team. “People are a little taken aback when they first see him because he is so big, but they quickly realize he’s such a gentle giant. We are so fortunate for him to be part of our event.”
This year, Walker has set a goal for Quinn to raise $10,000, bringing his three-year total to more than $20,000.
Swim Across America will host its third annual open water swim event on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at The Harbor at Lake Ray Hubbard in Rockwall, Texas. Quinn will be the event’s only canine participant. Both two and four-legged participants will swim knowing that the money they have raised is staying local, and will make a tangible impact in their city.
To see this four-legged pooch in person or to speak with his handler Peggy Walker, SAA co-chair Daniel Watters, or a cancer survivor and SAA participant, please contact Denise Hodges Lessard at (214) 599-8703 or [email protected]. To learn more about how the Swim Across America – Dallas is “making waves to fight cancer,” please visit WWW.SWIMACROSSAMERICA.ORG/DALLAS.
About Swim Across America
Swim Across America, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to raising money and awareness for cancer research, prevention and treatment through swimming- related events. With the help of hundreds of volunteers nationwide and past and current Olympians, SAA is helping find a cure for cancer through athleticism, community outreach and direct service.
This is an unedited press release.