Walking With Purpose: World’s Largest Pet Walk Returns September 27th
Every September, people around the world lace up their sneakers, leash up their pets, and set out for a walk with a little extra meaning. The World’s Largest Pet Walk, presented by Wellness Pet Company, returns on Saturday, September 27, 2025 — and you don’t have to travel far to be part of it. In fact, you don’t have to travel at all.
This global fundraiser, hosted by Pet Partners, invites participants to walk with their animals anytime, anywhere on the official date. Whether it’s a lap around the neighborhood, a sunrise hike, or a casual stroll with friends, the point is simple: move together, celebrate the human-animal bond, and support the work of therapy animal teams across the country.
Why We Walk
Walking is something most of us already do with our dogs, but the World’s Largest Pet Walk turns those steps into something bigger. Funds raised through the event support Pet Partners’ Therapy Animal Program, considered the international gold standard for animal-assisted interventions.
Therapy animals aren’t service animals or emotional support pets — they are specially trained and credentialed companions who volunteer alongside their humans to provide comfort, connection, and healing in settings like:
- Hospitals and rehabilitation centers where patients find motivation in a wagging tail.
- Schools and libraries, where children build confidence reading aloud to a non-judgmental listener.
- Veteran programs, where equines and canines help reduce symptoms of PTSD.
- Senior living communities, where regular visits ease loneliness and spark joy.
It’s work rooted in compassion, and it touches millions of lives every year.
A Brief History of Pet Partners
The roots of this movement go back nearly 50 years. Founded in 1977 as the Delta Society, the organization recognized early on what so many of us instinctively know: animals change lives. In 2012, the group rebranded as Pet Partners, expanding its mission and reach. Today, they register nine species of therapy animals — from dogs and cats to rabbits, guinea pigs, horses, and even llamas.
Since the World’s Largest Pet Walk began in 2018, walkers have raised more than $405,000, funding volunteer training, credentialing, research, and outreach. The 2025 goal is $150,000 — a target already more than halfway met.
The Benefits (and Joys) of Walking With Pets
Science backs up what dog owners already feel in their bones: walking with pets boosts both physical and mental health. For humans, it lowers blood pressure, relieves stress, and gets us moving more consistently. For pets, it supports joint health, keeps weight in check, and offers essential mental stimulation.
And then there’s the intangible benefit: connection. Anyone who’s shared a quiet morning walk or an evening loop around the block with a loyal dog knows the peace those moments bring. Multiply that feeling by thousands of participants worldwide, and you begin to understand the power of this event.
How to Join From Las Vegas
Las Vegas may not have an official group walk (yet), but that’s the beauty of this event — you can create one. Gather a few dog-loving friends, set a meet-up at your favorite trail or park, and make your steps count. Whether it’s the Clark County Wetlands Park, a shady neighborhood loop, or just a stretch around your block, every stride supports therapy animals and the lives they touch.
There’s no registration fee to walk. You can simply join in on September 27 — or, for those wanting to take it further, set up a fundraising page.
Walking Toward Something Bigger
Pet Partners reminds us that the human-animal bond is mutually beneficial: when we care for our pets, they care for us right back, often in ways science is only beginning to fully measure. The World’s Largest Pet Walk is a chance to celebrate that bond, raise awareness for therapy animal programs, and give back in a way that fits into your day and allows you more time with your dog!
So this September 27, leash up your dog, grab a few friends, and step outside with purpose. Whether your walk is five minutes or five miles, you’ll be part of something far larger: a global movement powered by paws, compassion, and community.
Love the idea but want to support more local non-profits? Get the family together and start a donation walk in your community to support your favorite dog rescue!
