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Paws in the Park

Humane Society event to raise money
for group’s operations

Organizers hope to raise $10,000
at this second annual event

GOSHEN, Ky. (October 2018) – Have fun while raising funds is the goal of the Humane Society of Oldham County’s fundraiser, Paws in the Park. The society provides many programs that not only help the animals but the people who take care of them as well.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, the Humane Society of Oldham County is playing host to a family oriented event at the North Oldham Lions Club’s Belknap Community Park, 12414 Hwy. 42 in Goshen, Ky.

Photo provided

The second annual Paws in the Park is expected to draw a crowd of pets and their owners.

“This is the second year Paws in the Park will be held at this location, and the organization is hoping to raise $10,000,” said Bobbi Dewey, event director for the society. The Humane Society has been in Oldham County since 1986.
This fundraiser will have something for everyone, Dewey promises. “David Benson, the professional dog trainer from Kentucky State Reformatory, will be conducting a training demonstration and then will run his own dog through the agility course to show you how it’s done.” His demonstration will take place at 11:15 a.m.
Following Benson at 12:30 p.m., the Mayor of Goshen, Bob Thacker, “will lead a parade style dog walk through the beautiful Belknap Park,” Dewey said. The first 100 dogs to register for the walk will receive a free bandana or Frisbee.
Dewey encourages attendees to get a team together to walk and raise pledges to make a big impact on donations raised for animals for this event. Asking coworkers, neighbors, friends or family to make a small pledge for your walk can make a big difference. Prizes will be given away to individuals for the most pledges raised.
Wingspan of Kentucky Inc., located in Prospect, will have a Birds of Prey demonstration at 1 p.m. The non-profit is dedicated to the preservation of wild birds through rescue, care and rehabilitation.
In addition, there will be a Cutest Dog Contest at 11:45 a.m., Best Dressed Contest at 12:10 p.m., a Musical “Sit” Contest at 1:30 p.m., and a contest for Fastest Time Through the Agility Course at 2 p.m. All competitions have prizes for the winners. Sign-ups will take place at the event.
There will literally be something for all ages at Paws in the Park. Kids will be entertained with a bouncy tent, face painting by Kid Canvas, bubble table, a stilt walker and music by DJ Rob Burgin.
Adults will have the opportunity to shop the vendors, raffles, silent auction and visit the Mile Wide Craft Beer tent. Refreshment options will also include barbecue and sides from Kentucky Smoked BBQ. Arctic Scoop will be selling ice cream for humans and their pets.
Offerings geared especially for pets will include a massage booth and canine photo booth.
For those interested in adopting a four-legged friend, the Humane Society will have dogs for adoption from KSR Camp K-9. Other local rescues will be at this event with adoptable animals as well. 
“One of the HSOC programs that events like this help to fund and support is the  KSR Camp K-9  prison dog training program,” said Dewey. In this program, rescued dogs are paired with inmates from the Kentucky State Reformatory.
Instead of being housed at the shelter in La Grange, the dogs live at the prison 24 hours a day, seven days a week. With the help of a professional dog trainer, the inmates work with the dogs on socialization, obedience and good manners. They even visit the mental health and medical units and act as therapy dogs. When the dogs “graduate” they are put up for adoption.
This process can “take a few weeks or a few months, depending on the dog’s situation when it came to KSR. Some of the dogs are identified as potential therapy or service dogs and are given additional training,” she said. Some go to live with veterans or individuals with special needs.
Recently, two dogs went to Norton Children’s Hospital and are now full-time therapy dogs. The Humane Society has been working with inmates since 2009 and has had dogs at KSR for the last three years. “In 2017 alone, 115 dogs went through the KSR program.”
Dewey said that “the amazing part of this is that these dogs were not bred for their service or trained from puppies. These dogs were rescued; some were facing euthanasia and now they have found homes where they are loved and needed. Our placement of these dogs is highly successful.”
Other programs run by the Humane Society include Snugglers for Seniors, which pairs adult cats with seniors at no cost; a Pet Food Bank, which assists people who can no longer afford to feed their pets; and low cost Spay and Neuter Clinics.
Registration and entrance fee is a suggested donation of $10 for adults and $5 for kids under 12. Funds raised will help rescued animals throughout the year. Individuals or groups can collect pledges for the dog walk to count toward the registration and entrance donation.

• For more information, pledge forms and a schedule of events, visit www.oldhamhumane.com.

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