Newtown Kindness will host a Therapy/Comfort Dog Walk-a-thon on Saturday, November 2. The event will launch the “Charlotte’s Litter” Program in recognition of the benefits of Therapy and Comfort Dogs.

Newtown Kindness is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded after the tragedy at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in an effort to encourage, facilitate, and recognize the value of kindness.

The Charlotte’s Litter program was designed by the parents of Charlotte Bacon, one of the children killed on 12/14. Joel and JoAnn Bacon, along with Charlotte’s brother, Guy, created the program not only because Charlotte had a love for dogs, but also due to their own personal experiences with dogs in the wake of the tragedy. The program’s aim is to advocate for animal assisted activity with therapy/comfort dogs and their roles as supportive friends and trusted companions. 

“The goal of the event is to raise awareness of the value of therapy and comfort dogs within communities, while launching the new Charlotte’s Litter program,” said JoAnn Bacon.

State Representative Diana Urban (D-North Stonington) and State Senator Danté Bartolomeo (D-13th District), who were both influential in securing the passage of House Bill 6465, an act concerning animal therapy which facilitates the development and implementation of a state-wide animal assisted therapy program, will take part in the walk-a-thon.

“I had the pleasure of meeting the Bacons at Newtown’s ‘Thank You to the Therapy Dogs’ event in June. I was touched by the story of Guy’s positive experience with the therapy dog teams, and how helpful they had been to his ability to connect to his emotions after the tragic loss of his sister, Charlotte. I am proud to join them in support of Charlotte’s Litter Walkathon.” said State Senator Dante Bartolomeo.

The walk-a-thon will be held on Saturday, November 2, from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm, at the Fairfield Hills campus. Attendees will learn more about Charlotte’s Litter, while speaking with the Bacon family and the Newtown Kindness Board about Newtown Kindness’s mission, Charlotte and her love for animals, the impact that therapy/comfort dogs have had in Newtown, the program’s literacy efforts and book publishing plans, and Newtown Kindness’s goal to raise $10,000 to support Charlotte’s Litter.

Register as a walker at https://charlotteslitterlaunch.eventbrite.com/Participants can find sponsors to walk a mile alongside therapy and comfort dogs.  All fundraising details will be sent upon registration..

Additional donations can be submitted directly through Newtown Kindness’s website, www.newtownkindness.org. Updated news on Newtown Kindness and Charlotte’s Litter is also available at .www.facebook.com/NewtownCTKindness