At Austin Parks Foundation, we believe that we are all People of the Parks – or in Gavin’s case – Pups of the Park!🐾
Gavin is a paralyzed pup who uses a wheelchair to get around. He was adopted in 2023 by Frankie, who helps maintain the Cherry Creek Community Garden – a Sponsored Fund Account through Austin Parks Foundation. Frankie says Gavin is happiest when he’s out in nature, zipping through the garden and sniffing everything along the way!
“The garden is Gavin’s daily time to dart around in his wheelchair and feel free and mobile. He is able to be a normal dog and enjoy all of the sniffs and sounds in the garden.”
For Frankie, having the garden so close to the neighborhood has been a great escape, especially from the noise of the city. Frankie enjoys listening to the birds and watching the bees in the pollinator garden. She adds that being able to grow her own food is also rewarding.
Soon after Frankie adopted Gavin, they began taking walks to the garden and along the trails nearby. Gavin enjoys stopping to sniff all the things – they call it his “Sniffari” time.
They’ve created a garden routine: enter and close the gate behind them, take Gavin’s leash off and he is free to zoom around. Frankie says he likes to chase lizards and sniff all the plants. He also loves to get pets from anyone who enters the garden.
“Parks are so important for people and for our pups. Without them, we would just be taking walks around the block. Parks allow for the people and pups to relax and enjoy nature,” Frankie says.
Our parks are a welcome escape for people and pups, but we need your help to keep them safe, clean and accessible for all. As we enjoy the dog days of summer, make a gift to APF and have a paws-itive impact on our parks!
