Marine Inspires Trend of Running with Shelter Dogs to Showcase Their Adoptability, Finds 'Immense Joy' Along the Way (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Wesley Swainston.Photo:Courtesy of Wesley Swainston

Courtesy of Wesley Swainston

As an active-duty Marine, Wesley Swainston initially took up running as part of the job. Over time, though, he fell in love with it.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, 28-year-old Swainston explains how he combined his love of running with another passion — one for dogs — and turned to social media to showcase adoptable shelter dogs while getting his daily exercise.

“While balancing my military duties, I decided to volunteer at my local shelter, helping train dogs and showcasing their personalities online to aid in their adoption,” he says. “Training dogs that have been confined for long periods can be challenging; they often have boundless energy and need an outlet.”

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Working with a shelter called Adoption First near Jacksonville, Fla., Swainston says he “began running the shelter dogs and then training them afterward” in November 2023.

“This approach not only provided them with physical exercise but also helped more fearful dogs open up,” he adds. “I would often bring fellow Marines to volunteer with me, allowing them to play and run with the dogs, which was a rewarding experience for everyone involved.”

Wesley Swainston.Courtesy of Wesley Swainston

During the runs, he often shares facts about the dogs while they run alongside him — some like to carry something in their mouths while they run, some like to stop periodically and sniff.

As hisvideoswent viral, perhaps unexpectedly for Swainston, they inspired countless other runners to contact their local shelters to follow suit.

“I recently conducted a poll on my Instagram, asking my audience if they volunteered at their local shelters because of me,” he tells PEOPLE. “Over 200 people responded positively, saying they took action because of my influence.”

That reach, he says, is “incredibly rewarding.”

Swainston is now transitioning out of the U.S. Marine Corps, on a mentorship program for dog training in San Antonio, Texas.

And while his military training helped inspire him to become a runner, his volunteerism at the animal shelters helped inspire something else: for Swainston to foster dogs himself.

He continues: “While I definitely fall in love with the dogs I train and run, it’s more about knowing that they will bring someone immense joy someday, rather than considering adoption myself.”

He adds that the experience of running with the dogs has shown him firsthand “the power of play.”

“Ditching daily walks for engaging play sessions can transform your relationship with your dog,” he says. “Just think — if you went to a shelter once a week and spent 20 minutes playing fetch with a dog, you’d be amazed at how easily that dog bonds with you.”

source: people.com