“What started as a few friends getting together has become a real community”
A community dog-walking group has celebrated its first anniversary after growing from just five friends and seven dogs, into a weekly gathering of dozens of people and pets in West Belfast.
Doggy Danders marked one year since its first walk with a special outing during its regular free Sunday meet-up at Falls Park, where 56 dogs and 85 people turned out to celebrate how far the group has come in just 12 months.
The group began on Boxing Day 2024 when a small group of friends decided to meet up for a casual dog walk, never imagining it would grow into a thriving community that now attracts people from across Belfast and beyond.
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Every Sunday, Doggy Danders meets at the gates of Falls Park for a 1.30pm departure, with walkers travelling in from areas including Lisburn, Crumlin, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey. One family has even made the journey from Derry with their dog, while visitors from outside the region have also joined in while passing through the city.
Falls Park has since become a regular meeting place for people from all walks of life, with the group bringing together dog lovers of different backgrounds who bond over their shared love of animals. Although the weekly walk is the group’s main activity, Doggy Danders also organises occasional pop-up events and has supported a number of community causes along the way.
Belfast Live spoke to one of the group’s founders, Jim Deeds, 54, from Anderstown, who said the popularity of Doggy Danders showed there was a real need for community connection.
“Every week we have new people coming along as word gets out,” Jim said.
“After the first few months we realised this was meeting a need. People are looking for company, to laugh, to smile and to feel part of something.
“All you really need to be part of it is a love of dogs. Creating a happier, healthier world, one paw at a time is our slogan, and it really sums up what we’re about. We see first-hand the positive impact group dog walking has, not just on people but on the dogs themselves.”
Doggy Danders is open to everyone, and you don’t need to own a dog to take part. Some people attend for the exercise, while others come along simply to enjoy interacting with the animals.
Jim said Belfast charity Foodstock had included flyers about the group in its Christmas hampers, highlighting the role Doggy Danders plays in tackling loneliness and encouraging people to get outdoors and socialise.
“What started as a few friends getting together has become a real community,” he said.
“We now have 11 or 12 volunteers who turn up every week to make sure everything runs smoothly. There’s no money involved — people do it purely because they enjoy it and believe in what we’re doing.”
The friendships formed through the group have also led to several offshoot activities, including a Dungeons and Dragons group and a creative writing workshop.
Jim believes the group’s success also reflects a wider change in society following the pandemic, with more people owning dogs and looking for ways to socialise.
“A lot of people got dogs during coronavirus and are now looking for something to do with them,” he said.
“Doggy Danders provides the perfect outlet and it’s one of the things I’m most proud of — if I was to be knocked down by a bus tomorrow, it would still continue. And that is a great thing for me because other people are involved in building this group. We work together and Doggy Danders really has grown to have a life of its own.”
The weekly walks typically last around 45 to 50 minutes, with regular breaks built in and water bowls provided for the dogs. Falls Park, Jim said, has proven to be an ideal location.
After the walk, many of the group head to Seven Coffee, which is dog-friendly and has become another social hub for members to chat and relax.
Jim owns four dogs, and the group’s logo features his former pet Cody, who sadly passed away. Cody, a St Bernese — a Bernese Mountain Dog and Saint Bernard cross — is remembered on group hats, T-shirts and other items.
“We’ve lost people and dogs over the past year and it’s been hard,” Jim said.
“We share the joys and the lows together. On Sunday we celebrated a dog’s sixth birthday and everyone sang happy birthday to Brody — moments like that really show what the group means to people.”
He added that the group is particularly welcoming to newcomers who may feel nervous, including those with shy dogs.
“We get messages from people who’ve never been to the park or are worried about how their dog will react,” he said.
“We’ll have a volunteer meet you at the gate and walk with you. The important thing is just taking that first step.
“If I had to describe the group in one word, it would be wholesome. We encourage anyone who wants to join in to reach out and give it a go.”
For more information, people can find Doggy Danders on social media, including here
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