Ag for Autism sponsored the fourth annual Furry 5k on campus Saturday morning with the help of the College of Agriculture (CoA) and the Pre-Vet Club to spread awareness for autism. 

“Having the route be an actual 5k was a big deal,” Abigail Jorgenson-Coleman, event coordinator for the College of Agriculture, said. “For the people that are serious 5k runners.” 

Ag for Autism, a local non-profit composed of farmers raising money for autistic individuals in Northeast Arkansas, designed the awards for the event. 

Daniel Ieroni, a board member with Ag for Autism, said he volunteers for the organization because he wants to honor his 11-year-old autistic son. 

 “We work with Dr. Latour every year to design this event,” Ieroni said. “We’re trying to promote awareness for autism in our community,”

“It’s been a great partnership,” Mickey Latour, Dean of the CoA, said. “We run the 5k out of our building, because of the materials we have, but we allow Ag for Autism to lead this activity.”

Latour said the awards are shaped like puzzle pieces because autism is a puzzle. 

Runners and their dogs took home awards in categories like cutest dog, first-place male and first-place female. Kristen Nunnely, student ambassador, donated a podium for the dogs to stand on as they received their plaques.

Rachel Davis, a first year graduate student from Mammoth Springs, Arkansas, and her long-haired goldendoodle, Willy Gene, won first place in the cutest-dog category.

“I love supporting the college,” Allyson Bise, a 2018 alumni animal science graduate from Jonesboro, said. “My dog and I ran through the football field and tailgate city. We saw most of campus, while she got to run and play with other dogs.”

Category winners

Male without dog 

1st place: Carson Lutz 22:41

2nd place: Eli Whitmire, 23:10 

3rd place: Chris Sanders, 28:55 

FEMALE WITHOUT DOG 

1st place: Jasmin Reyes, 33:15 

2nd place: Adri Lopez, 33:45 

3rd place: Rebekah Bryant with her baby Lyla Jane, 34:00 

MALE WITH DOG 1st place: 

Daniel Delgadillo with Klauz, Blue Heeler, 25:26 

2nd place: Fletcher Pierson with Merle, Beagle puppy, 46:54 

3rd place: Max Dacus with Archie, Standard Poodle, 52:50 

FEMALE WITH DOG 

1st place: Allyson Bise with Delta, Heeler mix, 25:15 

2nd place: Ella Wise with Callie, German Shepherd, 46:05 

3rd place: Kristen Flachsbart with Millicent, Standard Poodle, 49:46

CUTEST DOGS 

1st place: Willie, GoldenDoodle with owner Rachel Davis 

2nd place: Quill, Labrador/Pitbull mix with owner Ethan Hafer 

3rd place: Brinkley, Golden Retriever with owner Valerie Bowen Escue

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