Dog Walk for Cancer coming to Ocean County Park Sept. 13

The 6th Annual Dog Walk for Cancer will be held at Ocean County Park on Route 88 in Lakewood on Sunday, September 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event will feature a gift auction, agility lessons, face painting, dog kissing booth, pet portraits, magician, animal communicator, and a Frisbee dog demonstration. Canine contests will be held for the best dressed, best trick, smallest dog, largest dog, hairiest dog, best wag and best kisser, to name a few.

This year, Elwood, winner of the 2007 World's Ugliest Dog Contest will make and appearance at the Dog Walk and will be available to serve as “best man” at the canine wedding chapel.
Scara's Italian Ice in Point Pleasant has donated an autographed baseball signed by Yankee Derek Jeter which will be raffled off at the walk.

There is a minimum donation of $15 to participate. There will be prizes and giveaways with all donations. The participant with the highest pledges will win a special prize. All proceeds benefit the J. Phillip Citta Regional Cancer Center at Community Medical Center and local therapy dog organizations that certify pet therapy dogs. Community Medical Center's oncology patients receive daily visits from trained pet therapy dogs who contribute to the healing atmosphere, ease loneliness and bolster self-esteem.

The Dog Walk is not a race, but an event to symbolize concern for the cause of cancer and the benefit of pet therapy. To participate, dogs must be leashed at all times, up to date on vaccinations and handled by an adult.

To learn more about or to participate in the Dog Walk for Cancer, contact Tracie Barberi-Matthews at 732-831-0203, Renee Shriver at 732-673-1848 or e-mail Dogwalkforcancer@yahoo.com.