Annual Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog grows in participation and dollars raised

Runners are participating in an outdoor race event on a bright, sunny day. There is a start/finish arch line pictured with several participants under it — Dog Jog participants and their canine companions headed out on the 5K course at the appointed 8:00 a.m. start time Saturday, September 26, in front of Lynn Hall. (Photo by Ed Lausch/Lausch Photography)

The numbers are in from the 2026 Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog and they paint a beautiful picture of a very successful event, both in terms of the number of human and canine participants and the funds raised for Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Priority 4 Paws shelter medicine program. Beautiful weather and the enthusiasm of both dogs and runners contributed to the fun and excitement of the annual 5K run/walk, which generated numerous fun photo ops and raised significant funds for a good cause.

Two people are bundled up in an outdoor setting and are stationed next to a table with merchandise and brochures on it. — Betty Jackson (seated), widow of Dog Jog namesake and Professor Emeritus, Dr. Horace (Skip) Jackson, attended the race with family. (Photo by Ed Lausch/Lausch Photography)

The event on Saturday, September 26, concluded the annual Purdue Veterinary Conference for veterinarians and veterinary technicians, and drew a total of 195 entrants, which was among the most ever. The Dog Jog course followed a route that started and ended at Lynn Hall and meandered around key landmarks on the south side of the Purdue campus.

The Dog Jog participants – many accompanied by canines – included college alumni, faculty, staff, students and community residents. Awards recognized the top human and canine finishers. Congratulations to the following award winners!

First place male finisher and fastest male faculty/staff participant: Dr. Tsukasa Sakashita, clinical assistant professor of comparative pathobiology, with a time of 19 minutes and 44 seconds.
First place female finisher: Emily Adair
First place 50+ male participant: Dr. Raj Singh, a member of the Purdue DVM Class of 1990
First place male human and canine pair: Omar Loya
Fastest female faculty/staff participant: Dr. Abigail Cox, the William Iverson Associate Professor of Comparative Pathology, who also earned a shout-out from the students for helping them each year with ideas and feedback regarding the event.
First place female human and canine pair: Jessica Desutter, veterinary technician, Small Animal Internal Medicine
First place 50+ female participant: Dr. Catharine Scott-Moncrieff, professor, Small Animal Internal Medicine

A figure wearing a blue shirt is running alongside two dogs through an intersection, appearing to participate in a race event. There is another participant pictured in the background with their own dog. — PVM faculty member Catharine Scott-Moncrieff, professor of small animal internal medicine, took top honors as the first-place finisher in the female 50-and-over category. (Purdue University photo/Ashley Jensen)

A figure wearing a black shirt and pink shorts is jogging with a dog through an intersection on a bright, sunny day — Purdue student Kelsie Strange and her canine companion traverse the Dog Jog course on the south side of the Purdue campus. (Purdue University photo/Ashley Jensen)

There also was some friendly competition between the various PVM departments to see which department had the highest faculty/staff participation, and the winner is the Reed Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory! Additionally, the DVM classes competed to see which had the highest participation level and the DVM Class of 2030 won that title with 22 students from their cohort participating!

All the proceeds from the Dog Jog go to the college’s Priority 4 Paws Shelter Medicine Program. This year’s event raised $7,390 for Priority 4 Paws, which provides high quality medical and surgical care for shelter animals while educating the next generation of veterinarians.

Two people are standing next to a large sign that reads "Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine". Both people are wearing gray and black clothing, and the figure on the left appears to have just been participating in a sporting event. — PVM Dean Bret Marsh, DVM, with the top finisher in the male 50-and-over category, PVM alumnus Raj Singh (PU DVM ’90). (Photo by Ed Lausch/Lausch Photography)

The outstanding success of this year’s Dog Jog reflected the dedicated work of the volunteer team of students who organized the event. Special thanks are in order for the Dog Jog Committee members:

Megan Munoz, Class of 2028, Committee Chair
Carter Blessing, Class of 2029
Isabel Constable, Class of 2029
Katrina Gangstad, Class of 2028
Hadley James, Class of 2029
Rich Novak, Class of 2028

The students were helped by PVM staff members Susan Xioufaridou, director of alumni relations and special events; Andrea Kellogg, director of lifelong learning; and Alondra Sager, senior administrative assistant.

A big thank you to all who participated in and assisted with the 2026 Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog!

Standing near the start/finish line of a race event, a group of five people are posed with dogs for a photo. — Dog Jog participants and volunteers paused for a photo at the start-finish line. (Purdue University photo/Ashley Jensen)

A person is embracing their dog in front of a sign that reads "Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine" — Dog Jog participants and volunteers paused for a photo at the start-finish line. (Purdue University photo/Ashley Jensen)

A large group of people are standing under the start/finish line at an outdoor race event — Among the Purdue students who helped with the event were a number of undergraduate students who are members of the Purdue Prevet Club. (Photo by Ed Lausch/Lausch Photography)

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

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