By Brian M. Boyce
TERRE HAUTE — Poodles, Great Danes and every breed in between descended on Deming Park on Saturday morning as more than 250 pet owners let their canine comrades “bark in the park.”
“This has gotten to be such a great event we’re going to have to consider other locations,” Rachel Leslie of the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce said as the crowd marched by.
The event marks the second year for Bark in the Park, an event sponsored by the Terre Haute Young Leaders, a division of the Chamber of Commerce. This year, all proceeds raised from the 3-mile walk will go to the Terre Haute Humane Society and the 14th and Chestnut Community Center, according to Erin Mackey of Clabber Girl.
Many of the owners brought three or four dogs, and more than 1,000 total participants lined the park trails. Rest stops along the way provided doggie treats and water in kiddie pools.
First Financial Bank was presenting sponsor of the event, but a number of area businesses lined a shelter in support of the cause.
Stephanie Boyd, owner of Hallie Hound Barkery and a member of the Terre Haute Young Leaders, was selling dog treats from her booth. “I make them all by hand,” she said. “They’re all natural, no preservatives.”
Boyd is one of the original Bark in the Park committee members who got the idea after volunteering to help at the Terre Haute Humane Society. After seeing how much financial need the agency had, she ended up adopting one of the dogs, Guido, and suggesting a fundraiser to her fellow Young Leaders.
“Indianapolis had its Mutt Strut,” she said, adding the local event continues to grow as more people become interested.
Anita Crane and Ryan McFarland of Express Employment gave away “pig ears” from their booth, as well as information on area jobs.
“It’s been a popular item,” Crane said of the pig ears owners give their dogs as chew toys.
Express Employment has a number of job openings in the Terre Haute area, both said.
“We have quite a few actually,” McFarland, also a Young Leader, said. “We enjoy being part of the local community.”
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.
