Corcoran’s First Annual West Village Charity Dog Walk

By Joy Pape

TRINA, FRANK AND SUE welcoming all to the start of the walk at Hudson Hound. Photo by Joy Pape.

Corcoran’s First Annual West Village Charity Dog Walk was scheduled for Sept. 23rd, but due to rain was rescheduled to Sept. 30th. It rained that day as well, but even though less people and dogs showed up than expected, it was a success! $5,500.00 was raised for this year’s cause, a charity called Uniquely Paws and new friends were made.
The Corcoran Group is the main sponsor and was represented by two longtime West Village residents, Frank Veilson and Trina Cooper.
The event is not just about dogs.
So why is it called a charity dog walk? Frank Veilson told me it’s a great way for people to get out and meet each other, have a good time and raise money for good causes. “I’m a cat dad. It’s hard to get cats out for a walk, but I love the camraderie and how dogs do bring people together,” he said.
Trina shared her experience in London which inspired her to bring it here. “When I got involved with the London Charity Dog Walk, I was the owner of a pet shop. I helped organize it and supported it through my blog. What I witnessed was heartwarming — a community coming together and having a blast with their furry companions. Then, when I came to the West Village, I knew we needed something special for their city pups, while also supporting a great cause. So, we organized our own Charity Dog Walk in the West Village. And boy, was it a hit regardless of the rain!
“The event was a hub of socialization, where people got to meet new friends, neighbors, and share valuable city dog tips. The energy was infectious, and the feedback was overwhelming. Everyone couldn’t help but express their excitement for a 2nd Charity Dog Walk!” Trina continued.
“We believe it’s imperative to continue fostering a sense of togetherness within our community. That’s why I’m thrilled to announce that our 2nd Charity Dog Event in the West Village will happen next year. Mark your calendars and get ready for another paw-some day!”
Susan Williams, co-founder and President of Uniquely Paws said, “Uniquely Paws’ groundbreaking model addresses three critical needs simultaneously. We begin by seeking out women’s artisan’s groups in our pilot country of Uganda to handmake finely-crafted dog and cat themed items that appeal to animal lovers across the globe that can’t be found anywhere else. We pay these groups far better than fair-trade prices, enabling them to send children to school, improve housing and put nutritious food on their tables. In the case of one of our groups, we are their most frequent buyers, and from our orders alone, they are able to supply over 100 people in their village with basic nutritional needs. In turn, the profits of the sales of their goods in the U.S. are used for free spay, neuter and vaccination and animal education clinics throughout the villages in Uganda. Rabies is a very serious health issue in most developing nations. These women are proud to part of the solution to eradicate this significant public health issue in their communities. In under one year since our first clinic, we have been able to fully vaccinate 2,132 animals and spay/neuter 349! Vaccinated animals are then fitted with a yellow collar, designating them a ‘safe’ animal so they are not harmed out of fear. This is a signature brand of our mission!”
“The most significant aspect of this model is that it can be modified to work anywhere in the world, including areas of the U.S. where there are huge populations of strays wandering the streets unloved and with no medical care. Artisans contributing to the health of their communities by decreasing the stray animal population and eradicating rabies. Every other dog I meet comes from the Southern U.S. where spay, neuter and vaccines are not affordable for many,” Susan continued.
“By holding an event like the First Annual West Village Dog Walk, we were able to raise awareness and offer a solution to a problem that animal loving West Villagers were extremely interested in.
I give my heartfelt gratitude to Corcoran Cares, Trina and Frank, who worked tirelessly to get this event off the ground, and how impressed and grateful I am that $5,500 was raised for Uniquely Paws!”

Joy Pape is a resident of Greenwich Village, animal lover, Co-Founder and Contributor of the Village View .