Woman’s Video of Dog Racing Down Driveway Brings People ‘to Tears’ (Exclusive)

Nestled in the heart of the West Virginia mountains, there’s a quiet rhythm to life that Leah Stankus knows well.

Growing up, she and her siblings were raised on a small farm at the bottom of a hill – one full of animals and endless woods that once served as the backdrop to an idyllic childhood.

“This hill has always been special. Growing up, our family tradition was watching the sunset from the top of the hill,” Stankus tells PEOPLE exclusively.

“As the last rays of light faded, we would start our race down the hill, our family dog Bentley was always glad to run down, right beside us,” she adds.

As time passed, however, the ritual evolved. Instead of running down the hill with Bentley, they would let him out of the car at the top of the hill and drive beside him, cheering as he raced home with a joyful, determined grin. “We would always let him win,” Stankus admits.

These days, the 26-year-old is the only sibling still nearby. After college and during the height of the pandemic, Stankus returned to her hometown, where she purchased a charming 1900s fixer-upper and lovingly restored it with her dad.

In the fall of 2022, Stankus adopted her own lovable goldendoodle, Otis, who quickly turned her house into a home. “Otis is a very silly and cuddly dog,” she says. “Every day is a good day for him. He is a friend to all other dogs, people and living creatures.”

Over the course of just three years, Otis has also formed a deep bond with her parents — and even more so with Bentley.

“The two are inseparable,” Stankus reveals. “Otis adores my parents and many times has a hard time leaving when I come to pick him up from play dates or sleepovers. Their home has become a second home for him.”

Living just 15 minutes away from her parents, Stankus treasures the closeness it brings. Weekday dinners, spontaneous hikes and running downhill with their dogs are all part of the routine.

With 12-year-old Bentley now retired from running, Otis carries on the family tradition – sprinting down the same hill with the same excitement.

“When we turn onto the road that leads to my parents’ house, Otis always perks up from lying down in the car and starts looking out the window side to side,” Stankus says.

The hill stretches just under a quarter mile, and Otis flies down the slope in under a minute. At full speed, he can hit 27 mph – an impressive blur of fur and joy racing toward her parents’ front door.

In the summer, they often wait until the hay is cut, since the tall grass makes the hill difficult to run through. As a result, Otis and Stankus count down the days for fall, when they can walk, hike and enjoy the crisp autumn air.

“In the spring, each time I go to my parents’ house, I let him run down the hill,” Stankus shares. “It’s not often that a dog gets to run as fast as they can to one of their favorite places – it’s really such a special thing to watch.”

One of her viral videos of Otis sprinting down the hill garnered over 16 million views. Stankus tells PEOPLE every dog deserves the chance to run free – to feel the wind on their face and stretch their legs.

“A lot of people have commented that seeing my dog running freely and joyfully reminds them of their own dog,” she explains.

“Many have said the video brought them to tears because it’s exactly how they picture their own dogs, who have passed, running free and happy in doggy heaven.”

In order to make sure Otis is living his best life, Stankus takes him nearly everywhere with her.

He’s now become best friends with her bank teller, the cashier at Lowe’s and has even formed a sweet bond with their 86-year-old neighbor, Yolanda, who now buys treats just for him.

“Otis is everyone’s friend,” Stankus says. “Having an animal like Otis has opened my heart to new friendships and possibilities as a person.”