Putnam County Guardian Dog Park Officially Opens [Mid Hudson News]

We were excited to have the Putnam County Guardian Dog Park officially open, and the Mid Hudson News covered the story.

TOWN OF KENT – Putnam County’s Dog Park located at the Veterans Memorial Park in Kent has opened.

The 50,000-square-foot accessible and contained area will be used for residents to recreate with their dogs in a safe setting.

Alex Othmer, founder and Executive Director of Guardian Revival, said the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation and his non-for-profit have been working over the past three years to make the project happen. “The park serves as a community hub, a training ground for Guardian Revival’s Boots & Paws program for their companion and therapy dogs, and provides additional space for local law enforcement agencies to train their K9 units.”

Othmer said he was looking forward to next summer when the “park will have a dedication ceremony along with its ‘Part 2’ opening, honoring former police officer Max Kalkstein and Joseph P. Dwyer, both veterans, who were lost to suicide and mental illness.”

He said Guardian Revival’s mission “is to improve the mental health and well-being of our military, veterans, first responders, and their families. Honoring these gentlemen will continue to raise awareness of the troubling suicide and mental illness statistics that plague these populations.”

September is Suicide Awareness Month, which is also when Guardian Revival holds the annual One Mile Challenge, where participants walk one mile a day for 30 days during the month to raise awareness and funds for mental health and suicide prevention.