April 1, 2025 | By Emilie Jacques
Paws for a cause, raise awareness and support sexual assault survivors
Copper Shores Community Health Foundation invites community members, and their dogs, to the fifth annual Puppy Parade on April 17 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Quincy Green in Hancock. The Puppy Parade is an annual event hosted by Copper Shores Victim Support, honoring Sexual Assault Awareness Month and drawing attention to preventative practices and local resources for survivors of sexual assault. The event is free to attend and open to everyone.
Attendees bringing their dog(s) are asked to register them for a free bandana ahead of time. Bandanas are color coded to indicate each dog’s needs, helping keep every person, and every dog, safe.
- Green bandanas indicate a dog is friendly towards people and other dogs.
- Yellow bandanas are for dogs that need a little space, please ask owners before approaching a dog with a yellow bandana.
- Red bandanas are for dogs that need a lot of space and do not want to be approached.
Before going on a group walk through downtown Hancock, attendees will have the opportunity to meet others that champion prevention and education.
“We want to show face alongside all of our community partners and vendors,” said Brayden Rachel, Copper Shores victim advocate. “We are ready and willing to help at any time, whether someone experienced abuse years ago or has recently been victimized.”
People can talk to local sexual assault resource providers and mental health professionals, gather helpful information and educational materials, and practice talking about sexual assault, consent, and other difficult topics in a safe and supportive environment. In addition, attendees that bring their dog(s) will find a few vendors with helpful pet care tips, tasty treats and gadgets that support pet health and hygiene.
“We love the idea of having a ‘puppy’ centered event,” said Rachel. “Dogs provide such great emotional support for their owners, even when they are not a fully trained service animal.”
Talking about sexual assault is often challenging, but like other hardships, pets can make a difficult journey feel a little less lonely. Pets offer comfort in the spaces that people cannot fill, when people may find it difficult to connect with others.
“Some survivors have a hard time connecting after victimization,” said Rachel. “People are often able to bond with animals a lot better than other people - when they feel most alone and still need a support system.”
Raising money for therapy dog
The Victim Support team understands just how important companionship is to the healing process. Animals provide something special that other people cannot, which is why Victim Support is getting a therapy dog. This dog will be fully trained as a service animal to provide comfort to victims of sexual assault, including children that go through Copper Shores’ Child Advocacy Center. Please consider supporting the soon-to-be member of the team, and the work being done at Copper Shores Victim Support by making a donation.
Whether a survivor, advocate or ally, the Puppy Parade has something to offer to everyone. To learn more about the Puppy Parade, visit coppershores.org/puppy-parade. Learn more about the services provided at Copper Shores Victim Support and access help by visiting coppershores.org/victim-support.
