Author: Hailey VanderWilt, Communications Coordinator
On August 6, 2026, over 200 runners, walkers, rollers, and supporters came together at Millennium Park for PAWS in the Park, an evening celebrating the life-changing impact of Paws With A Cause!
The 5K and 1-mile race brought the community together for an evening of fun, with food trucks, local vendors, a DJ, and a beverage garden. Friends, family, and supporters cheered from the sidelines as participants made their way around the course, creating an energetic atmosphere from the starting line through the final finishers.
Find your finish-line moment in the event photos or check out the official race results!
Thanks to the generosity of everyone who participated and supported the event, PAWS in the Park raised nearly $30,000 to support PAWS’ mission of transforming lives and strengthening communities through partnerships with custom-trained working dogs! Whether you crossed the finish line, cheered from the sidelines, volunteered your time, or supported the event from afar, you helped make PAWS in the Park a success.
Making More Partnerships Possible
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 Behind every PAWS dog is a team of people dedicated to preparing that dog for their future career. Funds raised through events like PAWS in the Park help support the breeding, raising, and custom training that goes into creating highly skilled working dogs.
For assistance dog clients, PAWS dogs are provided at no cost. PAWS assistance dogs can help people with disabilities navigate everyday life with greater independence, confidence, and connection.
PAWS Facility Dogs bring their own unique impact to schools, organizations, and other professional settings. These specially trained dogs work alongside professionals to support the people they serve.
Every participant and supporter helps make these partnerships possible. Their involvement helps PAWS continue its work of creating custom-trained working dogs and connecting them with the people and communities who need them.
More Than a Race
For many participants, the evening was a chance to challenge themselves, spend time with friends and family, or simply enjoy being outside. For PAWS, it was also a chance to celebrate the incredible community that continues to show up for the mission.
The support extended far beyond those who took to the course. Volunteers helped make the event run smoothly, sponsors and community partners provided essential support, and vendors and food trucks helped create a festive atmosphere. Every contribution played a part in making the evening a success.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who participated, volunteered, sponsored, donated, or helped spread the word! Your support is helping PAWS create more partnerships that increase independence, confidence, and connection.
