Building on the growing success of a long-running community event and Purdue Veterinary Conference tradition, organizers of the 2026 Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog are excited about prospects for a great turnout at this year’s run/walk coming up the morning of Saturday, September 26. And there’s still time to register and participants are welcome whether they are jogging with or without a dog or want to run with an adoptable shelter dog.
The popular event will serve as a fitting conclusion to the College of Veterinary Medicine’s annual continuing education conference for veterinarians and veterinary technicians. All proceeds from the race will support Priority 4 Paws, a PVM shelter medicine program providing high-quality medical and surgical care for shelter animals throughout Indiana.
Open to the public, the 5K run/walk for humans and their canine companions begins and ends at Lynn Hall, and follows a route that winds past landmarks and scenic areas on the south side of the Purdue campus. Last year’s race was a huge success, raising almost $7,000 for Priority 4 Paws. This year, the dog jog committee has sought to continue expanding the option for participants to run with adoptable shelter dogs, working with local shelters in the Lafayette area and beyond to spread awareness of animal shelters to the community.
To best accommodate all who would like to participate, there are multiple registration options for the event this year:
- Human runner – $30
- Human runner & canine companion – $35
- Human runner & child participant – $35
- Additional child participant (14 years and younger) – $5
- Additional canine companion – $5
Runners of all ages are encouraged to join in the fun to celebrate the legacy of the late Dr. Skip Jackson and carry on this beloved college tradition. Dr. Jackson was Professor Emeritus of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry. One of the college’s founding faculty members, he was known as a fitness enthusiast and started a jogging tradition with his students in 1973 that became the annual event named in his honor. He passed away in 2022 at the age of 99.
Click here to register your place in the race. Day-of registration also will be available.
Click here to learn more about the race and about becoming a sponsor.
For those who are unable to participate or want to further celebrate the legacy of Dr. Jackson, there also is an option to donate to the named race endowment fund, which was created by Dr. Jackson’s family to perpetually fund this honored tradition in his memory.
Those who cannot participate but still would like to support Priority 4 Paws directly may contribute to the Priority 4 Paws Endowment.
