Community gathers to take cancer to the doghouse
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JACKSON, Tenn. — Pets hit the parking lot of Antonia’s Paw Spa for food, fashion and lots of fur. “We’re celebrating our canine caregivers because so many people are diagnosed with cancer, and really their No. 1 caregiver and comfort is their pet,” said Kaley Humphrey with Madison County’s Relay for Life. Therapy dogs such as Majik, who is a part of Maggie and Friends Dog Therapy, all are a part of an event to raise money not only for humans battling the disease. “We’re trying to fund-raise money for the American Cancer Society to not only find a cure for cancer in people but hopefully one day for dogs as well,” Humphrey said. Several were honored for surviving cancer and others were remembered, such as Farro, a canine on the Jackson police force owned by Officer Jeremy Stines. Farro died last year to cancer. This friendship is something fellow officers understand. Sgt. Brandon Moss has had Kirra by his side for 4 years. The 6-year-old sable German Shepherd is an important part of Moss’ family. “We probably spend more time on an individual basis with our dogs than we do our family, cause they ride along with us all day at work and they live with us too,” Moss said. The day also came with a surprise presentation and some tears for the event organizer herself, Antonia Haney. Haney has been dealing with the loss of her own dog, Nacho, in the past weeks. “If there had been a cure for cancer, my Nacho would be on this stage right now,” Haney said during the presentation. Whether a trained tail-wagging member of the family or a four-legged officer on the force, the American Cancer Society is hoping this fundraiser will help find a cure not only for man but man’s best friend. The next Relay for Life event takes place May 8 at the Jackson Fairgrounds.
