By Meredith Haas ‘24, editor
Growing up in the area and later going on to raise her children in Annville, Kathy Wingert is no stranger to the LVC campus. Yet, it’s who she brings on campus that gets students to smile. She’s the leash holder to her family’s golden retrievers, Bailey and Henry.
In 2010, when Wingert’s son, who was responsible for the bulk of Bailey’s exercise, left for college, it became clear that Bailey needed an alternative form of exercise. The solution: walking him on LVC’s campus.
“It wasn’t until 2011 that we were walking here consistently,” Wingert said.
Bailey took to these evening walks rather quickly, and soon enough, he guided his leash holder to where he wanted to be.
“My goal was just to tire him out,” Wingert said. “He knew he didn’t want to go to the far-out field to run. He wanted to stay right where the people were.”
Sometime in 2014, a name was jokingly attached to what Wingert and Bailey did together every night – Pet the Pooch. Together for years to come, the pair continued to walk the campus, greeting all of Bailey’s friends and continuing to make more.
In July of 2020, Bailey passed away, leaving a huge hole in the hearts of not only his family, but also leaving holes in the hearts of the LVC community. Despite such a tragic loss, the Wingerts insisted the tradition of Pet the Pooch must continue and the emptiness in the household must be filled, prompting them to begin the search for another golden retriever that could only attempt to fill Bailey’s pawprints.
In 2021 after much research, she made the trek to Georgia to pick up the newest member of their family. Cue the introduction of Henry, a first cousin of Bailey.
When getting him home, it was clear that Henry lacked the boisterous personality that Bailey boasted.
“Henry was extremely timid,” Wingert said. “I was devastated. We really had to work with him to get over his anxiety. I like to say that he is shy by nature, but people-loving by nurture.”
Wingert wasted no time getting Henry in the swing of things, bringing him to campus on day three of his time in PA. Ever since then, Henry has grown more and more accustomed to time on campus. They have never looked back.
“It may sound silly, but this is his favorite place,” Wingert said. “These are his favorite people.”
When asked if she ever expected her dogs to become such household names on campus, the answer was a definitive no.
“It still makes me so embarrassed,” Wingert said. “It just tickles me.”
Wingert does, however, cite how special LVC is and how this would not be possible without such a unique campus community.
“You guys are very authentic,” Wingert said. “There’s just a spirit of gratitude. It’s what keeps us coming back.”
Ultimately, both Bailey and Henry have served as a bridge between an empty-nester and a group of college students who could use a ray of sunshine in their lives. What started as a simple walk has become so much more.
“To be able to share the blessing of a dog with those who are homesick, missing their dog, going through hard things, the ability to show the simple sweetness of a dog is just what I want to share,” Wingert said.
A few words from an LVC student once said to Wingert summarize the impact of Pet the Pooch best: to her, it is a simple thing; to college students, it is a big thing.
To follow Henry’s journey, look for him making his evening stroll on campus between 5-6:30 p.m. or follow him on Instagram @petthepoochlvc.