Operation Jake 5K Run And Walk

A PAWSITIVE EVENT SUPPORTING A VERY WORTHY CAUSE! JOIN US IN SUPPORT OF DOWN THE LEASH SERVICE DOGS WITH OUR ANNUAL 5K FUN RUN AND WALK. 

DOWN THE LEASH SERVICE DOGS IS A 501(C)3 VETERAN RAN NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES A SAFE SPACE ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR NATIONS HEROS TEACHING THEM BASIC AND ADVANCED DOG HANDLING SKILLS FOR THEIR OWN SERVICE DOGS. 

RACE DAY IS ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 10, 2026.  RUNNER CHECK-IN AND PACKET PICK UP WILL BEGIN AT 9AM. THE EVENT WILL BEGIN AT 10:30 AM WITH AN OPENING CEREMONY FEATURING A SHORT PRESENTATION. THE 5K RUN AND WALK WILL BEGIN AFTER, WITH AWARDS IMMEDIATELY TO FOLLOW. LIVE BAND AND OTHER FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES TO FOLLOW THE RACE. 

THE RACE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HERRIN PARK LOCATED IN HERRIN, ILLINOIS 

What is Down the Leash?

DOWN THE LEASH SERVICE DOGS IS MORE THAN JUST SERVICE DOG TRAINING. DOWN THE LEASH SERVICE DOGS ARE A FAMILY, A PLACE WHERE VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES CAN FEEL AT HOME, SUPPORTED, AND WELCOMED WITH OPEN ARMS... NOT JUST FOR THE DURATION OF DOG TRAINING, BUT FOR LIFE. WE ARE... A 501(C) NON-PROFIT THAT HAS HELPED OVER 60 VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILY IN THREE YEARS OF OPERATION. WE CURRENTLY TRAIN OUT OF THE MASONIC LODGE IN HERRIN ILLINOIS EVERY SUNDAY AFTERNOON. WE NEED... FUNDS RAISED WILL BE USED TO HELP US TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OUR LOCAL VETERANS. THE COST TO TRAIN A SERVICE DOG CAN EXCEED $20,000 AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER VA BENEFITS. DOWN THE LEASH SERVICE DOGS COVERS ALL THE COSTS OF THE TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR EACH PARTICIPANT.