WEST HAVEN — Newtown Kindness is set to host its second annual Therapy/Comfort Dog Walk-A-Thon this Saturday, October 18, at Sea Bluff Beach from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm to celebrate the first year of the Charlotte’s Litter program.

The event will take place near the Where Angels Play playground that was built to honor Charlotte Bacon, near the intersection of Captain Thomas Boulevard and Ocean Avenue. According to Newtown Kindness, the event will celebrate the first-year program results of the Charlotte’s Litter program in recognition of the benefits of therapy and comfort dogs.

Charlotte’s Litter, a Newtown Kindness program, was founded in honor of Charlotte Helen Bacon, an avid dog lover, who lost her life on 12/14. Charlotte’s Litter was founded in honor of the support that her family and friends received from local comfort and therapy dogs. Charlotte’s Litter connects resources and experienced people where they are needed, and provides input and guidance to parents and educators in an effort to apply appropriate therapy dog programs in educational and societal settings, according to Newtown Kindness.

JoAnn Bacon, Charlotte’s mother, said West Haven has been supportive and embracing of Charlotte and of Charlotte’s Litter.

“Charlotte would be so excited,” Mrs Bacon said, explaining that her daughter would have thought the event is “so cool.”

Mrs Bacon also said the second annual Therapy/Comfort Dog Walk-A-Thon will highlight some of the accomplishments Charlotte’s Litter has made in the past year while also highlighting some plans for the year ahead.

“This is all about honoring her,” said Mrs Bacon. “This was really a passion of hers.”

Charlotte’s Litter is growing, Mrs Bacon said, and in the next year she expects the program to expand further in hospitals, police departments, and helping with K9 first responders.

At the walk-a-thon, attendees will learn more about Charlotte’s Litter initiatives, the various benefits of animal assisted therapy and K9 first responders, and two new book publications about Newtown’s experience with therapy and comfort dogs, Good Dogs Great Listeners and The Dogs of Newtown.

For those who wish to walk, Mrs Bacon said people can register up until the day of the event. However, the event is only for certified and invited therapy/comfort dogs and their handlers. It is not open to personal pets.

Newtown Kindness’ goal is to raise $30,000 from the walk-a-thon to support Charlotte’s Litter initiatives. Walkers are encouraged to register, and raise funds in their community in support of the program, according to Newtown Kindness.

For more information, or to register for the walk-a-thon, visit .eventbrite.com

To sponsor a walker/therapy dog, visit the Charlotte’s Litter CrowdRise page.

Additional donations can be submitted directly through Newtown Kindness’s website at .newtownkindness.org