Left: John Heycock and dogs, Duncan and Gulliver.
The perfect dog, according to John Heycock, is a Hungarian Vizsla.
“I love all dogs, but I’ve had Vizslas since 1969,” Heycock said. “They’re just a very sensitive dog, family-oriented, and they love to run.”
Every Vizsla that’s been part of Heycock’s family has been special, but there’s one dog whose story—and spirit—has inspired hundreds, if not thousands of people. He was a dog named Gulliver.
“Gulliver was diagnosed with canine lymphoma in 2011 after I found a lump on his neck, and I was absolutely shocked,” Heycock said.
Innovative clinical trials for canine cancer treatments at the University of Pennsylvania gave Gulliver one more year with his family.
“He was in good spirits the entire time, and he still wanted to run. So, we continued to run together, just about every day,” said Heycock, 69, of York Haven.
And running, Gulliver by his side, gave Heycock an idea.
“The thing about cancer—whether it’s with people or our pets—it kind of makes you feel powerless,” he said. “But I knew when he was gone, we were going to have to do something—not just to honor his memory, but to fight back against this disease. So, we decided we were going to have a trail run at Gifford Pinchot State Park, which is where we ran.”
Gulliver passed away on Nov. 5, 2012. On that date—or as close to it as possible—every year thereafter, Gulliver’s Run inspires hundreds of runners and walkers to gather and rally around the disease that took his life. The participants—a mix of humans and hounds—fill the park’s trails and picnic area with activity and a festival-like atmosphere. Last year, 22 vendors participated, including dog rescues and food trucks, even one with baked doggy treats.
“People are united in celebrating the bond that has existed between dogs and humans for at least 15,000 years,” said Heycock, describing the event atmosphere.
Following the race, there’s an awards ceremony—not just for the quickest two-legged runners, but for those running alongside the fleetest four-legged companions. Amid the fun—and furry friends—there are stories.
That’s because the event doesn’t just attract dog lovers. It draws many people who, like Heycock, personally feel the impact of canine cancer statistics. About 6 million dogs are diagnosed with cancer annually in the United States.
Honoring Hobie
“Every year, I hear people’s stories about their dogs fighting canine cancer,” Heycock said. “So, we created the ‘Hobie Award,’ which goes out to a family that’s had an experience in the battle against canine cancer, in the spirit of Gulliver.”
Hobie was a black Lab mix that participated in the very first Gulliver’s Run with owner Annie Flaud of Lititz.
“We actually saw the first [warning] signs on the morning of the race, when he didn’t eat breakfast, but he ran the race with no problems,” Flaud said. “Two weeks after the race, he was diagnosed with lymphoma—stage four—and he passed away in September of the following year.”
At the second annual Gulliver’s Run, Flaud received the very first Hobie Award—and much more.
“It’s funny how things come into your life when you need them,” Flaud said. “The timing of the event—it was actually comforting.”
Flaud has co-presented the Hobie Award with Heycock ever since.
“Whether it’s canine cancer or cancer among humans, it’s never easy—it’s heartbreaking—but there is hope and support out there, as we continue to tell our stories and as research is ongoing,” Flaud said. “Gulliver’s Run has a special place in my heart.”
Track Record
While Gulliver’s Run has created a community for those who lost dogs to canine cancer in central Pennsylvania, the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond, it’s also approaching a major charitable milestone. Gulliver’s Run, as a nonprofit organization, has amassed a financial impact of $90,000 over nine years, and that total is expected to top the $100,000 mark at the 10th annual event this November.
Race entry fees and donations, described by Heycock as “sacred money,” hail from “everyday people” and area small businesses, including veterinary practices, all in the battle against canine cancer.
Over the years, the Heycocks—John and his wife Lisa—have donated race proceeds to various charities, including the National Canine Cancer Association and a Philadelphia-area vet hospital hosting canine cancer trials.
The current recipient, the nonprofit Animal Cancer Foundation, is embarking on an innovative canine cancer genome project. Its goal is to map the seven most common canine cancer tumor genomes and make the information public, available to all veterinary and cancer researchers.
Winning the Battle
Over the past five years, Heycock has waged his own battle with cancer—and developed an even deeper appreciation for man’s best friends in the process.
“In May of 2017, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. A month later, I had Lyme disease, and I was diagnosed with CLL [a cancer of the blood and bone marrow known as chronic lymphocytic leukemia],” he said. “I’m surviving two kinds of cancer, and, quite honestly, I think being active with my dogs has helped keep CLL at bay.”
It appears that Heycock, who retired after devoting 42 years to a career in the mental health field—mostly as a therapist who helped others navigate their struggles—has discovered a new, yet similar, calling in life.
“It’s very humbling to think about Gulliver’s Run,” he said. “It makes us very proud to think basically my wife and I have done this with the support of people who believe in what we’re doing, not just to honor Gulliver, but for all the dogs battling cancer and all the families.”
The 10th annual Gulliver’s Run is scheduled for Nov. 6. For more information, visit gulliversrun.org.
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