College of Veterinary Medicine

Development & External Relations 

Bill Johnson's Annual Ride for Animals
Next Ride: Monday, Aug 21, 2012


For the 6th year in a row (2011), Bill Johnson has made a special journey. He travels by bicycle along a familiar route from his home in Cle Elum to Pullman, all to raise money for Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.  "Especially with the economy," said Johnson, "because there are people out there who are probably less likely to have discretionary income for their pets.
 
The idea for the ride began when Johnson’s Golden retriever "Sonny" was lost to canine lymphoma in 2006.  The route he takes retraces his friend’s last days when the two would travel back and forth to WSU for cancer treatments.  Now, he arrives at the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital with a special police escort, completing the 217 mile trek he makes every August 21st.


  

Riders with Bill Johnson
Riders who joined Bill on part
of his 2011 ride:

from left - Douglas Wick, Rance Sellon, Bill Johnson, Stephen Stocksdale, Alex Shearer, Erick Spencer, Taylor Gwynn, Kelly Might, Steven Ault 

Donations continue to pour in, over the course of 6 years Johnson has successfully raised over  $56,000 in donations. The money goes towards the "Sonny Angel", "Cody Jo" and "Annie Marie's" Gift of Hope Endowment, Johnson established in honor of his two dogs and a friends' dog. The fund is used to support and care for WSU animal patients who need life-saving procedures but have no owners, or whose owners do not have the means to pay for the care.  His motto: "They were both gracious and giving, and I think this is what they would have wanted. So that’s why I’m doing it, Johnson said.
 
How long will he continue to ride? Johnson said "As long as I can follow that police officer up the hill, then I guess I’ll keep riding."

Donations can still be made


Riders are already making plans to join up with Johnson to complete the entire route next year: Saturday, August 21, 2012.

See our You Tube Channel for videos from previous rides

You can also read about Bill Johnson’s first ride in the Summer 2007 issue of the WSU Community Practice Newsletter at
www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-vth/newsletters/Summer07.pdf.
Make a Gift to The Sonny Angel, Cody Jo, and Annie Marie Gift of Hope Endowment

This fund was established by Bill Johnson in memory of his golden retrievers "Sonny Angel" and "Cody Jo," and "Annie Marie", a friend's Wheaton Terrier who grew up with "Sonny" and also died of cancer. Gifts to this fund are used to care for sick animals needing life-saving procedures who have no owners or whose owners do not have the means to pay for veterinary care.



To make a gift by mail:
Please complete the donation form with a check payable to the WSU Foundation and send to:
 

Kay Glaser
Veterinary Development and External Relations
College of Veterinary Medicine
Washington State University
P.O. Box 647010
Pullman, WA  99164-7010
509.335.4835
kayann@vetmed.wsu.edu

For questions about giving, contact Kay Glaser
Veterinary Development and External Relations at (509) 335-4835 or kayann@vetmed.wsu.edu
Last Edited: May 23, 2012 1:28 PM   

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