WEST HAVEN — The second annual Charlotte’s Litter Therapy/Comfort Dog Walk-A-Thon had more than 200 registered walkers and about 40 therapy dogs with handlers participate on Saturday, October 18, at Sea Bluff Beach.

The event was hosted by Newtown Kindness to celebrate the first year of the Charlotte’s Litter program, which was founded in honor of Charlotte Helen Bacon, an avid dog lover who lost her life on 12/14. Charlotte’s Litter was founded by her parents 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.

The event took place at the Where Angels Play playground that was built to honor Charlotte Bacon, near the intersection of Captain Thomas Boulevard and Ocean Avenue.

“We had some pretty good participation,” said Newtown Kindness Chairman Aaron Carlson, who credited the Bacons for the event, “for their vision.”

During the walk-a-thon, Mr Carlson said JoAnn and Joel Bacon spoke about the mission of Charlotte’s Litter, how they want to advocate for therapy dogs, and how they want to make connections between existing therapy dogs and organizations, schools, or other facilities.

Along with the walk-a-thon, Mr Carlson also said a book written by Renata Bowers and illustrated by Michael Chesworth was previewed. The book, Good Dogs, Great Listeners: The Story of Charlotte, Lilly, and the Litter, will be unveiled for Charlotte’s birthday in February, but Ms Bowers read while Mr Chesworth flipped through some of his sketches for the book at the walk-a-thon, while surrounded by children, adult attendees, and therapy dogs.

“We think it is going to be a really amazing tool to help with therapy dogs in educational settings,” said Mr Carlson about the book.

Before the event, when visiting The Bee, Mrs Bacon said the book will honor her daughter and will promote the Charlotte’s Litter program. She also said the book will be released at the Newtown Kindness Charlotte Bacon Act of Kindness Award event in February. The book, Mrs Bacon said captures Charlotte’s spirit while showing how she becomes a better reader by reading to her yellow Labrador.

For more information about Newtown Kindness or Charlotte’s Litter visit newtownkindness.org.