TORRINGTON, Conn — A team in Torrington behind a real-life "rainbow bridge" held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday to unveil the final product of the project that began back in June.
“It’s a very emotional day for me. [I’m] excited, happy, emotional,” said Karen Rakyta-Bozak the mastermind behind the Over the Rainbow Bridge.
She first got the idea from a bridge built in North Carolina and wanted to honor her dog Lily with the same kind of memorial.
“I feel like she’s with me today looking down, and she’s probably really happy,” said Rakyta-Bozak.
Her daughter and granddaughter were at the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the John Toro Sports Complex to place the first collar and photo on the bridge.
“I was really excited for her, and I’m so, so proud of her to have actually had this vision and brought it to life and execute it,” said Marissa Romaniello, Karen’s Daughter.
Others who had a hand in the project’s success include Doug Benedetto, a member of the Torrington Board of Public Safety.
“It just shows you how much people love their pets,” he said.
With the bridge’s completion, two scouts with Troop 3 in Torrington have now finished their eagle scout project.
“I’m just very happy with all the work that Anthony and I have both done,” said Scoville Zielinski. “Anthony with the trail and myself with the bridge."
“It’s just an indescribable feeling,” said Anthony Uliano. “I could’ve never imagined this sort of response from the community.”
That community response has included nearly $5,000 donated through the sale of paw prints. The pathway to the bridge also features memory boards for local and state police to remember fallen K9 officers.
It’s a meaningful walk that all involved hope anyone grieving the loss of a pet will take.
“I have a vision of not seeing those metal railings. That they’re going to be so full of collars and memorabilia, leashes, whatever people decide that they want to put on there. I see that happening,” said Rakyta-Bozak.
“I want to see not just Torrington residents or Harwinton residents. I want to see people from all over Connecticut, all over the country come and visit this bridge,” said Benedetto.
Kaelee Collins is a multimedia journalist for FOX61 News. She can be reached at kcollins@fox61.com. Follow her on X, and Instagram.
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