26.2 Miles for Friendship Works
Estee is a regular at our South End shop and a volunteer with the FriendshipWorks PetPals program, where she brings her dog, Nova, to visit older adults in local assisted living communities. Together, they provide companionship, connection, and a lot of joy for the residents.
This year, Estee is taking her commitment 26.2 miles further by running the Boston Marathon in support of FriendshipWorks. In this Q+A, she shares what the PetPals program means to her, how volunteering with Nova has shaped her experience, and why supporting this work matters.
What does a typical FriendshipWorks visit look like for you and Nova?
I am sure each matched location is different depending on if you're visiting a hospital, nursing home, assisted living etc but Nova and I visit an assisted living right here in the South End every other week for about an hour at a time. We are greeted by the staff and one of the social workers walks around to the community room and each apartment with us. Typically we will interact with about 10-20 residents depending on the day and spend time with any resident who is interested. Some it is just a quick pet and a hello, and some it is more of a catch up from our last visit.
What’s a part of FriendshipWorks’ impact that feels especially meaningful to you?
What started as a simple way to give back and do something meaningful with my dog has really become so much more. We all have aging parents and grandparents and knowing a program like this exists to help ensure no one ages alone is truly impactful on these lives who may not have local family nearby. Being at an assisted living where the residents are staying full time has allowed Nova and I to become a routine part of their schedules. It is fun to hear feedback from the residents and to catch up with their weekend plans or how their book clubs or movie nights have gone. This program has become even more reciprocal than I anticipated and I know I will have quite a few local cheerleaders on race day!
What does running for FriendshipWorks mean to you?
Having been a volunteer with the FriendshipWorks organization for the past few years has really become a highlight in my weeks. Being able to combine my love for endurance sports and being able to support and raise awareness for a cause I have been directly involved in has been the best of both worlds!
If your dog, Nova, could give you a pep talk mid-race, what would they say?
Nova is truly a “people-dog” through and through so her pep talk would be to simply tell me to “look at all these thousands of people that have come by just to see me”. She has been at a handful of my previous races and she simply thinks this is an event or a parade put on for her haha
Post-run treat of choice? (for both of you!)
Ooh that’s tough to narrow down but in warmer weather I would say we are both big ice cream fans, so we each get our own version of a pup cup. Once a long training run is done, Nova still needs her walk so I use that as a recovery. Living in the neighborhood, Polka Dog is on her “treat tour” of the neighborhood whether you are open or not, she always thinks she deserves some Cod Skin refills. Madeline’s ice cream window down the block I can get my ice cream fix and Nova can get her pup cup topped with Polka Dogs chicken littles so its a win win.
Who (or what) are you running for when you hit mile 20?
Mile 20 is when the race gets real. I have 5 members in my immediate family so I like to spend time during each of those miles really dedicating each mile to one of them, and spend one for myself. This year is even more special so for the 6th mile, it is really for Friendshipworks and everyone that has run with me, heard about my running journey, supported me and contributed to this cause along the way.
What would you tell someone who’s curious about volunteering with their dog but isn’t sure if their dog is “right” for it?
Growing up with dogs, it is easy to say that some of our past pets may not have been the best candidate for a program like this but that isn't to say you shouldn’t still reach out if interested. Friendshipworks has an ambassador for the PetPals program that does a formal evaluation of your pet to see if they are a good fit for the program regardless, so they may be able to make that final assessment if you are unsure. Also, in case your pet is not a good fit and you would still like to volunteer and support Friendshipworks’ mission, there are other ways to get involved. They offer other outreach programs including medical escorts, companionship, and music programs as well!
It’s not just the distance that matters; it’s showing up, giving your time and energy, and making an impact along the way. We can’t wait to cheer Estee on as she runs the Boston Marathon for FriendshipWorks and honors the connections that matter most.