The TurfMutt Foundation’s Signature Events Bring Furry Friends & Fun to Equip Exposition 2025

Emmy Award-Winning Host of Lucky Dog, Brandon McMillian, to Appear at Mulligan’s Mutt Madness

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The TurfMutt Foundation, dedicated to championing green spaces for both pets and people, announces the return of its signature events at Equip Exposition 2025, the award-winning trade show for the international landscape and outdoor living industry. Attendees can get active for a worthy cause with Mulligan’s 5K Fun Run & Walk (sponsored by Active Dynamics) on Wednesday, October 22, and help rescue dogs find forever homes with the 7th Annual Mulligan’s Mutt Madness on Thursday, October 23.

Brandon McMillan, the celebrated three-time Emmy-winning host of CBS's Lucky Dog and a world-renowned animal trainer, will be visiting with Mutt Madness adopters during the Mutt Madness event. As a proud sponsor of Lucky Dog, the TurfMutt Foundation shares valuable insights from Mulligan the TurfMutt through the show, promoting pet-friendly green spaces.

"We're excited to welcome Brandon to Mutt Madness – an event that showcases the profound appreciation our attendees and adopters have for both green spaces and shelter dogs," says Kris Kiser, President and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) and the TurfMutt Foundation. "With our very own rescue dog, Mulligan the TurfMutt, leading the charge, the TurfMutt Foundation truly embodies the transformative power of our parks and yards within our communities."

At Mulligan’s 5K Fun Run & Walk on Wednesday before the blockbuster show, participants will gather at Slugger Field for snacks and beverages before the event starts at 7 a.m. The 5K route treks by award-winning Waterfront Park, home of The TurfMutt Foundation Great Lawn, before crossing the Ohio River on the Big Four Pedestrian Bridge. The 5K benefits Kentucky Humane Society (KHS), and all registrants receive a long-sleeve running shirt and a commemorative medal. Register here.

Mulligan’s Mutt Madness takes place in partnership with KHS on Thursday during Equip from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the South Wing A Lobby at the Kentucky Expo Center. Since it started in 2018, the event has matched nearly 100 rescue dogs – including Mulligan the TurfMutt who was adopted by Kiser at the 2019 Mutt Madness – with new families in the Equip Expo community.

“Mulligan’s Mutt Madness is a highlight for KHS, and we can't thank the TurfMutt Foundation and Equip Exposition enough for their incredible partnership,” says Alisa Gray, President & CEO of KHS. “Their support literally transforms lives, helping us connect so many amazing dogs with their perfect families. We're excited to make more happy matches at Mulligan’s Mutt Madness 2025!”

For those considering adoption, Liz Kozlowski, who adopted her dog Lilah at the very first Mutt Madness in 2018, offers this advice: “Please do not hesitate – adopt! The love the shelter provided Lilah and how well she fits into our family was amazing. I would 110% recommend adopting at Mutt Madness; I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

Link to Photos: https://bit.ly/4lR2DS7

About Equip Exposition
Equip Exposition, the international landscape, outdoor living, and equipment exposition, is held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, and is one of the top five largest trade shows in the United States. The show is a Trade Show Executive Gold 100 Grand Award Winner, and is co-located with Hardscape North America. Equip publishes “equip" magazine and is owned and managed by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, an international trade association representing manufacturers of outdoor power equipment, parts, small engines, battery power systems, portable generators, utility and personal transport vehicles, and golf cars, and their suppliers. For more information visit www.EquipExposition.com.

About the TurfMutt Foundation

TurfMutt, which celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2024, was created by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s (OPEI) TurfMutt Foundation and has reached more than 70 million children, educators and families since 2009. The Foundation is title sponsor of “Lucky Dog,” the Emmy Award-winning CBS broadcast television show in support of dog rescue and rehabilitation. Both TurfMutt spokesdogs have been rescue dogs, and Mutt Mulligan is a cast character on the show, where her “Mulligan Minute” segments teach viewers about the benefits of green space. In 2024, the Great Lawn at Louisville’s award-winning Waterfront Park on the Ohio River was renamed the TurfMutt Foundation Great Lawn as part of a $1 million sponsorship. Championed by Mulligan the TurfMutt, and through education partners such as Scholastic, Discovery, Weekly Reader, and the USBGC Global Learning Lab, TurfMutt has taught students and teachers how to “save the planet, one yard at a time.” TurfMutt has been an education resource at the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Green Apple, the Center for Green Schools, the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, the National Energy Education Development (NEED) project, Climate Change Live, Petfinder and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2017, the TurfMutt animated video series won the coveted Cynopsis Kids Imagination Award for Best Interstitial Series. More information at www.TurfMutt.com.