Every year, hundreds of rescued Golden Retrievers get together with their humans for a celebration of rescue called Goldstock! In 2014 over 400 dogs arrived at Camp Weequahic, a kids’ sleep-away camp on 100 acres of woods, fields and lakes outside Scranton, PA. Many of the dogs are newly rescued and have their first experience swimming and fetching.
New Jersey photographer Steve O’Byrne told the HuffPost that it’s a very gratifying experience. “For some, it’s the first time their paws have touched water,” he said. “For others, it’s the first time someone has thrown a ball for them. For others, it’s the first time they’ve been in a place where everybody wants to pet them, so they run to every person they see.”
Goldstock Camp is not only fun for the dogs and people, it also raises funds to help benefits around 30 different rescue groups. A film inspired by the event will be released in the Fall, and here’s the trailer, which highlights the wonderful bond these dogs have with their owners.
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