About a dozen years ago, Connie Connor decided she wanted to celebrate her dog, Doc, an Australian Shepherd, and the many other wonderful dogs in her hometown of Essex. Doc served as a therapy dog and, later, one of the first ever Delta classroom canines, who helped more than 350 children learn how to read.

So Connor got together with some neighbors and area merchants and they came up with an idea to host the first Mutt Strut. The event has grown exponentially since its inception; last year, around 500 people attended, some from as far away as New York City.

The event is now called Dogs on the Dock, and it will be held this year on Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main St., Essex. Registration starts at 1 p.m., followed by a Blessing of the Dogs at 1:30 p.m., a parade and events — including best trick, best nautical costume, best “other” costume, best dog/owner lookalike, biggest dog, smallest dog, and best in show — and, finally, the big event, a dock-jumping contest at 2:30 p.m. All friendly dogs with current 2016 dog licenses and rabies tags are welcome to participate in all or some of the festivities, or to just watch. The event also is open to the general public, whether or not they have a dog.

The crown jewel

The dock diving event and prize “is the crown jewel,” says Phyllis Stillman, a development director at the Connecticut River Museum, and a dog owner and dog lover herself. “Everyone is always thrilled with that event, and they all crowd around the boat launch.”

She said only about five to eight dogs sign up for the dock-diving event, and even then, some of those dogs decline to participate once they reach the end of the dock. But there are usually several trained dock divers that go the distance in pursuit of their favorite toy, to the delight of the crowd.

This year’s event is a fundraiser for Homeward Bound, a Chester-based organization that helps rescue groups from all over the United States, find new homes for their dogs.

Doc — full name What’s Up Doc — has since passed away, but he inspired that same kind of love in his family, and many friends, according to Connor. Doc originally belonged to Connor’s son, who brought him home when Connor’s husband was in the midst of recovering from an illness. Connor saw at the time how good Doc was with her husband during his recovery. After Connor’s son passed away, he was a source of solace for the family, and Connor thought he might have a future as a therapy dog.

Doc started training as a therapy dog, and Connor said he was a great fit right from the start with his new job. She remembers going into one nursing home. It was late, it was hot, and Connor was tired from working. But Doc knew just what to do.

“He leaves my side and goes right up to this man in the first row of people. This man had had a stroke, and hadn’t used his hand in a couple of years. So Doc picks up a brush and stood there holding it, in a total stare down with this guy. He didn’t even blink. Eventually the gentleman took the brush, and tried to brush the dog,” she says. “Then he skips a couple of women, and goes over to another man. It was like Doc was in charge. He went over to this gentleman with a walker, and flipped his leash over the walker. And then he stood there, and stared at him. And he was never trained to do this. The man was like, ‘I know what you want. You want me to get up and walk.’ And he got up, with his walker, and walked with him.”

Then Doc went over to the women, did a few tricks, got a few treats, and came back to Connor and nudged her out the door.

Connor later worked with Doc and some area children to help develop the pilot project for what would become the Delta Classroom Canines program, which is designed to help children who have difficulty reading and writing. The Delta dogs sit by the children and provide an “attentive, loyal, and non-judgmental” presence, according to the Delta Society.

“One on one, he was just awesome,” Connor says. “He would do it at bookstores, at the church downstairs in the after-school program, and at the library ... He was so smart. His whole life was making sure everybody was OK.”

Connor says she misses Doc, but that she still loves participating in and helping to organize Dogs on the Dock.

“It’s crazy, but it’s so much fun!” she says, adding that she is so pleased that an organization like Homeward Bound will benefit this year.

“I wonder if they might be able to help me find another dog someday,” she muses.

IF YOU GO

What: Dogs on the Dock, a fundraiser for Homeward Bound dog rescue

When: Sunday; registration at 1 p.m. followed by Blessing of the Dogs at 1:30 p.m. and parade; dock-jumping contest starts at 2:30 p.m.

Where: Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main St., Essex

Registration fee: $10 for one dog and $15 for two dogs

Info: Call (860) 767-8269