Compassion in Motion — How Bend Barks & Rec Supports Cancer Patients and Their Pets
When compassion meets action, at Bend Barks & Rec, we believe every act of care has a ripple effect — especially when it starts with our four-legged friends. Our mission has always been about more than fitness; it’s about connection, comfort, and community. That’s why one of our core commitments is to support local cancer patients and their beloved pets during one of life’s most challenging times.
When someone in our community is undergoing treatment, everyday routines can become overwhelming — including caring for their dog. Yet, dogs provide emotional stability, love, and hope when people need it most. We know that keeping a pet happy, healthy, and exercised can also help their humans heal.
That’s where we come in.
Supporting patients with every run
Through our “Compassion in Motion” initiative, Bend Barks & Rec donates fitness sessions for dogs whose owners are currently undergoing cancer treatment in Bend. Each donated session helps ensure those dogs continue to get the exercise and attention they deserve — in a safe, climate-controlled environment that comes right to their home.
Our mobile dog gym is equipped with Firepaw Phoenix Generation 10 slatmills, designed for comfort and safety. That means every dog, from the energetic retriever to the gentle senior, can enjoy a healthy, positive workout — all while staying close to home, near the people who love them most.
These runs aren’t just workouts. They’re acts of love, small moments of normalcy that help families breathe a little easier.
A mission born from experience
Bend Barks & Rec’s founder, Stefanie, knows firsthand how challenging a cancer diagnosis can be — she was diagnosed with breast cancer at 35 in July 2021. During that time, she experienced both the emotional and physical exhaustion that comes with treatment — and how deeply comforting it was to have her dog by her side.
That experience inspired the heart of this business: creating a service that brings relief, joy, and connection to others facing similar challenges. Every dog we run, and every session we donate, is a reminder that we’re all in this together.
If you know someone currently undergoing treatment who could benefit from this service, please reach out. Together, we can keep tails wagging and hearts healing — one run at a time. Because caring for the community starts with caring for its dogs.
How Can You Help?
Your support helps keep this program running — literally.
You can:
Donate directly at BendBarksAndRec.com/donate
“Donate a Run” when booking for your own pup at BendBarksAndRec.com/book-now
Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us bring joy and movement to dogs whose families need a little extra support right now.
Together, we’re building a stronger, kinder community — one run, one wag, and one act of compassion at a time.