Pictured Above: The dynamic duo of Aron Bryce and his Italian Greyhound Koda started the two groups to help bring the St. Petersburg dog community together.
Courtesy of Aron Bryce
By Annalise Anderson
Dressed in a blue turtleneck, ears glued back, Koda the Italian greyhound zooms across the dog park, unaware he is the catalyst for unifying members of the St. Petersburg community.
Shortly after welcoming Koda into his life, owner Aron Bryce began two community groups with his furry friend: The Italian Greyhound Community of St. Petersburg and the Small Dog Community of St. Petersburg.
Bryce founded the groups during the pandemic in an effort to not only help socialize Koda, but to also provide respite for other local pet owners during an uncertain time.
“In my mind outdoor dog meetups have been one of the few opportunities to socialize safely and responsibly throughout the pandemic,” Bryce said in an email to The Crow’s Nest. “I think these meetups have not only created a community but brought people together in a special way. Friendships have been formed, connections established and in the process our dogs get the socialization and playtime they deserve.”
Bryce said he started the two groups “as organically as you can imagine: at the dog park.” Initial turnout was low, but participation grew quickly after Bryce began spreading the word.
“When at the dog park, I would ask people there if they would be interested in joining a Facebook group dedicated to small dog meetups. It continues to grow – while adhering to safe practices such as distancing and/or masks – and I am excited to see where it goes from here.”
Now, the Italian Greyhound Community Facebook group has 49 members and the Small Dog Community has 134 members.
Bryce jokes that his favorite part about hosting the monthly meetups is the dogs. But in all seriousness, he adds that nothing beats getting fresh air, meeting new people and letting their furry friends run free.
“(Both groups) have become many people’s most looked forward to events of the month,” Bryce said. “That’s been my greatest take-away; that I have been able to play a small role in bringing people together or making their day a little bit better.”
USF St. Petersburg alumnus, Jerick Johnston, learned about the groups via Facebook and joined the Small Dog Community as one of its earliest members with his long-haired chihuahua, Newton.
Courtesy of Jerick Johnston
Johnston agrees the group has been a positive experience for local pet owners.
“Living in such a divided time, this group gives people a way to come together and connect based on their commonalities and to build bridges to allow people to understand and appreciate their differences,” Johnston said in an email to The Crow’s Nest. “You’re not going to find something that’ll bring people together more than dogs.”
Now a senior public policy and administration major at St. Petersburg College, Bryce said that the two groups have made a significant impact on both he and Koda.
“It has changed my life, and my dog Koda’s life, for the better. I have developed friendships with some incredible people, and so has Koda,” Bryce said. “I hope (both groups) continue to offer people an hour or two out of their day where they have no worries or stresses. Where the only things on their mind are outside, dogs and friends.”
The Italian Greyhound Community meets at Northshore Dog Park in downtown St. Petersburg as well as Chase Park in Gulfport. The Small Dog Community meets exclusively at Northshore Dog Park. Each group regularly meets at least once a month on Sundays at 1 p.m.
Bryce asks that members be local to the Tampa Bay area and that their pets are a small dog breed. According to Bryce, dog parks often define “small” as 25 pounds or less.
He invites pet owners interested in joining the Italian Greyhound Community or the Small Dog Community to request membership via their respective Facebook groups and to visit a meeting. He reminds prospective group members that the park sizes allow for adequate social distance and that anyone is welcome.
Aron is an amazing person and started these awesome groups! I have 2 Italian greyhounds and look forward to each meet up .