Finding a safe and loving home for rescue dogs isn’t an easy task, but Wesley Swainston came up with a creative way to help his local shelter. He’s an active-duty marine who found viral fame after he started taking shelter dogs on runs in an attempt to change the way people see them.
Swainston is an active-duty marine, who enjoys spending all the free time he has on his hands around dogs. In addition to having two pets of his own, he’s a volunteer at Adoption First near Jacksonville, Florida, and has also taken part in a mentorship program for dog training in San Antonio, Texas.
Swainston started taking shelter dogs on runs in late 2023 and quickly realized this provided them with more than mere physical activity. Regular runs helped fearful dogs open up, making it easier for them to get adopted after Swainston showcased their adorable personalities on social media.
One of his most popular videos saw Swainston training for a marathon by running 26 miles, each with a different rescue dog. He’s hoping his videos will change the way people look at shelter dogs and make them realize they can adapt to pretty much anything if you treat them with enough love and care.
