43
Bark ’n the Park sparks awareness of proper treatment of pets
By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK
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 nonprofit 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 the 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.
“We’re not trying to tell people they’re wrong, but there are better ways, and we’re encouraging better education and awareness,” Brown said.
Patricia Kiser, of Vienna, and her dachshund/lab mix, Nickie, enjoyed the event.
“I think it’s really nice,” Kiser said. “It’s good for the dogs to get to know other dogs and be friendly with people.”
She also likes the idea of the Cadets for Pets program.
“I think it’s great, if they could teach [the kids] dogs are just like people — you have to be kind to them and teach them things,” she said.
Jessica Varga of Youngstown attended to check out the agility course with her blue pit bull, Titan.
Titan’s just 9 months old, so Varga also wanted to see how he reacts to crowds. She would like to train him to be a therapy dog.
“He’s really calm, sweet. He’s still young,” she said. “He’s just a baby. He’s just playful.”
Mike and Sherry Karis of Austintown attend many dog events with their two Maltese dogs, Jade and Snowflake.
The events are fun, Sherry said.
“We like to socialize our dogs with them,” she added. “We always like to donate for good causes.”
Participants also had a chance to check out the offerings of several vendors. Options included dog treats, fencing and more.