The second annual Lend A Paw Run, Walk or Roll 5K Color Run and Festival is set to take place on Friday, August 9th, at Oak Park in Minot. Designed as both a fun run and a heartfelt tribute, the event celebrates mental health awareness and the life-changing impact of emotional support animals and service dogs. Haley Burchett, the fundraising and events coordinator with Souris Valley Animal Shelter, described the event as “me personified,” saying that Lend A Paw aims to become one of the largest festivals in the city, rivaling longstanding events like the Food Truck Festival. “There’s no reason we shouldn’t have something like this,” she said. “Service animals deserve their own day of recognition.”
The day kicks off at 9:30 a.m. with a colorful vendor festival featuring more than 20 booths, four food trucks, and activities for all ages. Attendees can enjoy face painting, balloon art, “paw art” created by pets, axe throwing, bouncy houses, and music from local favorite DJ Moni, who is donating his time. and the Minot Police Department will showcase their bomb squad and therapy dogs. Organizers are also inviting all area rescues, vet clinics, and animal welfare groups to get involved and help grow the festival’s reach.
The color run officially begins at 10:30 a.m., with options for all abilities, including a Run, Walk, or Roll for those using strollers, wheelchairs, or preferring a relaxed pace. Each of the five colored powders used (green, blue, orange, pink, and yellow) were intentionally selected for its emotional symbolism, with green specifically representing mental health awareness. Signs posted along the route will help participants reflect on the deeper meaning behind each color, reinforcing the event’s mission of promoting mental wellness and honoring the animals who support it.
Beyond the race, Lend A Paw is also a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign, where participants can raise money through their own donation pages. The person who raises the most earns a free professional photo shoot for their pet, who then becomes the official spokes-animal for the next year’s event. Last year’s winner, Lyle from Lyle’s Adventures, is featured on all current marketing materials. “If I knew my dog could be the face of something this cool, I’d be on it yesterday,” said Burchett. Registration automatically sets up each participant’s fundraising page, making it easy to support the cause and compete.
The event would not be possible without key sponsors, including Boppre Law Firm, the color powder sponsor, and Niess Impressions, which provides t-shirts, banners, and signage. “Without Boppre Law and Niess Impressions, this event wouldn’t be what it is,” Burchett said. The Lend A Paw 5K Color Run continues to grow in both size and purpose, driven by the belief that service animals deserve more recognition and that mental health deserves more conversation. With the help of community partners like Sergeant Caisee Sandusky from the Minot Police Department, Nicole Sasso, and Cameron Paris, this event is quickly becoming one of Minot’s most meaningful summer traditions.
