Sometimes, it’s the simplest things that bring the biggest blessings. For Marine Wesley Swainston, he never expected to fall in love with running, but after combining it with his passion for dogs, it became more than just a workout. Now Swainston has turned his hobby into a mission: using his daily runs to help shelter dogs find forever homes.

Swainston said that running, initially just part of his Marine training, eventually became something he genuinely enjoyed. “While balancing my military duties, I decided to volunteer at my local shelter, helping train dogs and showcasing their personalities online to aid in their adoption,” he said.

Wesley Swainston. Photo courtesy of Swainston

Volunteering at Adoption First near Jacksonville, Fla., Swainston quickly found that combining exercise with dog training was beneficial for both him and the animals. “Training dogs that have been confined for long periods can be challenging; they often have boundless energy and need an outlet,” he explains. So he started running with the shelter dogs, which helped release their energy and allowed them to open up to potential adopters.

“This approach not only provided them with physical exercise but also helped more fearful dogs open up,” Swainston continues. He even brought fellow Marines to the shelter to join in on the fun. “I would often bring fellow Marines to volunteer with me, allowing them to play and run with the dogs, which was a rewarding experience for everyone involved.”

Following a deployment, Swainston returned to the shelter and filmed one of his runs with the dogs, a moment that sparked a series of videos showcasing the adoptable pups. One particularly popular series featured him training for a marathon by running 26 miles with 26 different shelter dogs, each with their own unique personalities.

Wesley Swainston and shelter staff and pets. Photo courtesy of Swainston

Swainston’s videos went viral, and the impact was immediate. People across the country started reaching out to their own local shelters, inspired by his example. “I recently conducted a poll on my Instagram, asking my audience if they volunteered at their local shelters because of me,” Swainston said. “Over 200 people responded positively, saying they took action because of my influence.” This influence is what drives him.

I know I have had a direct impact on getting dogs adopted, especially those I was able to train,” he said.

One of his favorite success stories is about two dogs in particular. “Bear spent over 200 days in the shelter, and Bruno, who was initially judged by his behavior, are now living their absolute best lives. It’s incredibly rewarding to see these dogs thrive in their forever homes.”

Swainston is now transitioning out of the Marine Corps and into a mentorship program for dog training in San Antonio, Texas, where he plans to foster dogs himself. “I get a lot of comments like, ‘That dog loves you! You should adopt it!'” Swainston admits. “Unfortunately for them, I already have two incredible dogs who inspired me to get into training: Asher, my 5-year-old German Shepherd, and my 16-year-old mini Australian Shepherd.”

But for Swainston, it’s not about adding more pets to his family. “It’s more about knowing that they will bring someone immense joy someday,” he said. Through his work with shelter dogs, he’s learned firsthand how “the power of play” can change lives. “There’s no cooler feeling than posting a video and because of that video, a dog gets its forever home,” Swainston said.

Sources: Runner’s World | People