dog's day Out

One-hundred and fifty dogs invaded Third Street Park and roamed the downtown streets of Bloomington Sunday to help celebrate the bond between humans and their canines by participating in the Monroe County Humane Association's ninth-annual "Walk for the Animals."\n"This event is our biggest fund-raiser of the year," said Sarah DeLone, Walk coordinator and education program director for the Humane Association. "We are hoping to raise $20,000 for major programs through donations from community members, as well as donations from our major sponsors."\nThis family-friendly event was even more dog-friendly, as many of the events throughout the afternoon catered directly to man's best friend. \nEvents included the "Doggie Dash," an agility trial area for animals to compete in various contests, including the Musical Sit Contest, Best-Dressed dog and even a Doggie Talent show. The afternoon was heavenly for all canines that wandered the park.\n"The main event was the Walk through downtown Bloomington, where the canines and their owners walked in support of this worthy cause," DeLone said.\nMany people from the Bloomington community got involved to show their support, including Mayor Mark Kruzan, whose dogs served as Grand Marshals of the Walk.\nAn event of this magnitude and importance for the Humane Association takes time to prepare for, with the help of many sponsors, as well as volunteers -- including IU students.\n"Because of my passion for animals and animal welfare," said senior Emily Cantrell. "I am a year-round staff member at the Monroe County Humane Association, but I volunteered at the event by setting up tables for sponsors, working the registration table, and any other jobs that came up during the afternoon." \nPlanning for the actual event comes well in advance.\n"Preparation starts in January as the committee meets to plan what activities we are going to have at the event, as well as who we would like the sponsors to be, and most importantly how we can get more people to participate," DeLone said.\nCantrell said the first step to getting involved with an event such as this, or the Humane Association in general, is quite simple and something many students should look into.\n"IU students are always welcome to get involved with the Humane Association and Bloomington Animal Shelter," Cantrell said. "We are looking for volunteers, but another good way to help is through donations of food, pet toys and blankets."\nMany sponsors from around the state came to set up tables at the Walk to show their support for the Humane Association's "pet project." \nRescue Farm Incorporated, whose main goal is to try and take in animals that might not get adopted or are going to be put to sleep, traveled from Ellettsville to show their support of adopting homeless animals from shelters.\n"I think that the best way that this event is helping this cause is by allowing people to see that there are many, many homeless animals in Monroe County, as well as reminding the community to adopt, because there are so many wonderful animals waiting at shelters for a great home," said Vice President of Rescue Farm Inc., Jodi Schermerhorn.\nThroughout the afternoon, more than 500 people from the Bloomington community, as well as animal lovers from around the state, stopped by the park to enjoy the festivities. \nKim Jackson and her adopted beagle-mix Ralphie traveled from Bedford to participate in the Walk.\n"I wanted to come up for the event because of my passion for the animals and for the cause of the Humane Association -- especially the one in Monroe County," Jackson said. \nJackson was first introduced to a program at the Association called The Puppy Train. The Puppy Train is a program that allows people to bring in stray animals if they are under six months old. \n"After I found out about the program and used it once, I knew that I wanted to do everything I could to help raise money to support this program, and I knew that coming to the Walk was a great way to start," Jackson said.\nWith the invasion of canines and dog-lovers alike into Bloomington Sunday came awareness, realities and fun to help The Monroe County Humane Association promote their mission in the area.\n"I think an event like this sets the bar a little bit higher for all of the other Humane Associations in the area to do their part to involve their community, which is always a good thing," Jackson said. "And as long as you can get this many people together with the same passion, only good things can come of it."\n-- Contact staff writer Lindsey Fox at lbfox@indiana.edu.