Dog event aims to teach proper treatment of pets

GIRARD

Dogs pulled their owners around Stambaugh Park, stopping here and there to give something a sniff.

Many also tried out an agility tunnel or chased bubbles streaming from a bubble machine.

They, and their human companions, were at the park to raise money and awareness.

St. Francis Pet Care, a non-profit organization that works to promote the proper treatment of pets, sponsored Saturday’s Bark ‘n the Park event.

“We’re trying to educate people that proper care of a pet is not putting it out in a pen or just fastening it to a chain and just leaving them,” said Cindie Brown, secretary of the organization’s board of directors. “Dogs are pack animals. We are part of their pack.”

Money raised at today's event will be used to fund the St. Francis Cadets for Pets Youth Program.

The program is similar to other youth programs, such as Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, Brown said, but its goal is to teach children the proper treatment of animals.

For more on the event, read Sunday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.