The courtyard of Grace Episcopal Church fills with wagging tails every Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon as the local community gathers for Paws to Connect.
Paws to Connect began as an outreach ministry of Grace Episcopal Church in 2021 to help college students find joy following the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When we were relaunching our college ministry efforts, we asked what we loved and what we could offer to students,” said Rev. Ellis Tucker Bowerfind, rector of Grace Episcopal Church. “One of our members, Dennis Cross, noticed how much students loved interacting with his dog, Rocca, whenever he walked her on campus. As we reflected on that, we conceived Paws to Connect.”
Each week, parishioners bring their dogs to the church courtyard between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The event runs in the fall and spring, weather permitting. It’s open to any students or locals who want to stop and talk.
Several church members have been involved since the beginning, including Dennis and Susan Cross with their dachshund Rocca; Tucker and Peter Bowerfind with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Nellie; and Martha Buford, Anne Sauder, Gail Dickerson and other members who regularly attend with their own dogs.
Over time, non-churchgoers and new church members have also started bringing their dogs for students to interact with.
Attendance from students fluctuates each week, but the courtyard often fills when students need a break between classes. Bowerfield said that a new group of puppies this year has increased attendance levels.
Bowerfield said that the event’s purpose stretches beyond just providing time with dogs. It is about companionship.
“College can be stressful, especially when the experience of competition and judgment outweighs the experience of learning and friendship,” Bowerfield said. “Being able to sit with a dog among other people who are there with unconditional welcome can be a chance to recover the sense of well-being and acceptance that is fundamental to a community of learning and mutual support.”
For many Washington and Lee University students, this event has become a midweek ritual that gives them time to relax with animals.
“It’s so important that the community does events like this for the students,” said Mily James, ’29. “My mood always gets boosted by seeing the dogs.”
James said that she has attended the event at least three times this year.
Hailee Wing, ’28, said she attended the event to relieve stress during the chaos of midterms.
“My favorite part was petting and meeting all of the cute dogs,” Wing said.
Bowerfield said that Grace Episcopal Church also wants to create a safe, welcoming environment for all students in the area beyond this event.
“We love W&L, VMI, SVU [and] Mountain Gateway,” Bowerfield said. “If there is something that any student needs to thrive, or if a student sees a need in the community, we hope they will let us know and we will try to be part of the solution.”
