Mammoth Park in Mt. Pleasant Township will host 'Paws for Prevention Walk' for dogs, owners

There will be plenty of fun for four-legged family members at a fundraiser Saturday at Mammoth Park.

Organizer Sarah Opalinski said activities for dogs will be mixed in with community resources at Paws for Prevention Walk at the Mt. Pleasant Township park. The proceeds will benefit the Council on Substance Abuse and Youth, which aims at preventing drug and alcohol use by young people.

“They can bond with their dog, meet other dog lovers, get out in the sunshine and learn about ways to prevent underage drinking,” said Opalinski, community mobilizer for the council and prevention specialist at Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission.

For the event’s second year, it will take place at pavilions 11, 12 and 13 from 11 a.m to 2 p.m. New this year will be pet first aid demonstrations with Rodney Little from Youngwood Top Dog Services; a spray pool for dogs; a photo booth; and canine contests for best and worst hair, the dog that looks most like its owner and sweetest senior. Opalinski said there were quite a few dogs and owners at last year’s event.

“It was great, people were really excited about it,” she said.

A few food trucks will be on hand and raffles, prizes and a pet nail and rabies clinic are planned. There will be about 30 vendors participating, ranging from animal rescues to social service agencies.

“We want to … bring awareness to the public as far as prevention of underage drinking and substance abuse,” Opalinski said.

The council, overseen by Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission, received a federal Drug-Free Communities grant and is focusing its efforts in Mt. Pleasant. Certain items aimed at prevention — such as signage or additional lighting in public areas — are not permissible ways to spend the grant funding, she said. Donations could be used for those items.

Register in advance online for $18. Entry at the event will be $20. Registration includes a T-shirt, bandana, water bowl, treats and a raffle ticket.