A black dog running on a grassy trail in a lush green valley surrounded by pine trees and mountains.
A happy dog running along a dirt trail beside a river in a lush forest, with a snow-capped mountain in the background.

The Rec Report

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Your behind-the-scenes pass to all things Barks and Rec. From pup wellness tips to road stories and rescue features, we’re here to bring the outdoors to your home—one tail wag at a time.

Happy dogs running in a grassy field with mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Stefanie Zwegers Stefanie Zwegers

Compassion in Motion — How Bend Barks & Rec Supports Cancer Patients and Their Pets

At Bend Barks & Rec, every run tells a story — one of joy, movement, and community. But some of the most meaningful runs we do aren’t just for fitness. They’re acts of compassion.

Through our Compassion in Motion program, we donate dog running sessions to local cancer patients undergoing active treatment here in Bend. While they focus on healing, we help their pets stay healthy, happy, and cared for — bringing comfort to both ends of the leash.

This mission comes from the heart of our founder, Stefanie, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at 35. She experienced firsthand the emotional lift a happy, exercised dog can bring, even on the hardest days. Today, that experience fuels our passion to give back to others walking a similar path.

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