‘Dog party’ beats Sunday heat

Deirdre Stanton cooled herself off in the shade after watching her dog Brie play in the hoses and kiddie pools that made up the canine water park.\nStanton joined hundreds of other animal lovers and their pets who braved the heat Sunday afternoon at Karst Farm Park, located at 2450 S. Endwright Road, for the 12th annual Walk for the Animals fundraiser.\nThe event raised money for the Monroe County Humane Association. The MCHA is involved with most animal-related events and organizations in the county, including low-cost spay/neuter clinics and educational programs.\nThe walk featured favorite activities like the dog water park and musical sit. \nThe Flying Paws Agility Club set up an agility course and had several dogs on hand for demonstrations.\nLeslie Ems, president of the club, said the walk is a great fundraiser and a good opportunity to get dog owners interested in the club.\n“Agility builds a better bond between people and their pets,” she said. “It builds great relationships.”\nEms said that she was glad that some of the money raised directly helps shelter animals. She rescued her four dogs from the shelter and now competes in agility competitions with two of them.\nThe walk also had animals from the shelter that were available for adoption, play areas and pet photography. Event sponsors and other animal welfare organizations set up booths with information and free samples as part of an animal fair. \nSuzanne Hampton brought friends to help her walk her three dogs. She said she loves the opportunity for all the animals to get together.\n“I love animals, she said. “It’s my passion.”\nStanton said she enjoys bringing her dog to the walk every year. \n“It’s such a good time,” she said. “And such a worthy cause.”\nStanton also helped at the VIPaws booth, where she answered questions about dog behavioral problems. Throughout the year, she teaches classes for therapy dogs through VIPaws. Dogs that pass the course then visit patients in hospitals and nursing homes. \nStanton said the walk is a good way to bring animals together and let them socialize while raising awareness about animal welfare in a relaxed setting.\n“It’s like a dog party,” Stanton said. “It’s a great opportunity for dogs to just be dogs.”