ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. (AP) — Anne Pace has been hearing about Dog Mountain for years, but until earlier this month, had never made a trip to the park.
“I was really eager to visit this place,” she mentioned while touring the area with Tam, her one-year-old border collie. “I left a note here for my previous border collie. He was my closest companion.”
Nestled on 150 acres of hillside in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, Dog Mountain serves as a haven for dog enthusiasts wishing to enjoy nature, appreciate art, or honor a beloved pet.
Founded 25 years ago by Vermont folk artist Stephen Huneck and his wife, Gwen, the park boasts hiking trails, swimming ponds, an art gallery, and a Dog Chapel adorned with thousands of photos and notes left for pets lining its walls.
“It’s truly mesmerizing. There’s so much affection captured in each photo displayed here,” expressed Vanessa Hurley, who visited from Ohio with her husband and two dogs. “Both dogs and cats give us immense joy in our lives,” she added.
According to gallery manager Pam McCann, Huneck was motivated by his bond with his dogs to craft a place where other pet lovers could honor their cherished animals.
“Dog Mountain is really a pilgrimage place and a sanctuary,” she said.
The gallery showcases Huneck’s sculptures, prints, and furniture, which are also scattered throughout the park, including inside the chapel he constructed. Black labs and golden retrievers adorn the pew ends, and stained-glass windows feature images of his own dog, Sally, manifesting his adoration for dogs in every aspect.
Scott Ritchie and his wife, Julie, have been traveling the country in an RV with their three large dogs and thought Dog Mountain would be the perfect place for them to stretch their legs. They enjoyed it so much on their first visit, they decided to come back the next day.
“It’s very rare you see something like this anywhere. We’ve been traveling all over the U.S. for five and a half months. Just a beautiful area,” he said.
McCann says the park was made for visitors like Ritchie.
“That’s what it’s for, people who really care and people who are very connected to everything around them,” she said. “Including the animals that they are the guardians of.”
