The Market Blog

American Cancer Society Bark For Life Is July 24
posted July 11, 2011

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The American Cancer Society Bark For Life is an event for dogs and their human companions. Bark For Life, held Sunday, July 24, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the First Tennessee Pavilion, honors the care-giving qualities of canine “best friends” and includes a one mile walk and special activities and contests for dogs and their human companions. 

The pre-event registration fee is $20 per dog/human team and includes a bandana for the dog and a T-shirt for the human. The day of Bark For Life, the registration fee will be $25 per dog/human team. 

Volunteers for Bark For Life are also being recruited; opportunities include joining the planning committee and day of event volunteers. To register and/or volunteer for Bark For Life vist relayforlife.org/barkchattanooga or contact Christy Johnson at 499-2603 or christy.johnson@cancer.org.

The 2011 Bark For Life will be held in conjunction with the Chattanooga Market and is sponsored by Animal Medical Center of Fort Oglethorpe, Ooltewah Animal Clinic and The Arc Pet Spa and Hotel.

The events will kick off at 11 a.m. with the Chattanooga Market’s opening. Bark For Life registration will take place under a tent in the middle of Carter St. from 11 a.m.–12:45 p.m. The Bark For Life Opening Ceremony will begin at 12:15 with the walk taking place at 1 p.m. The walk will travel around the concourse of Finley Stadium, with plenty of shade and water stops along the way. After the walk, the event will continue with contests including “musical dogs” – a canine version of musical chairs and cutest trick. The best dressed dog and dog/owner look-alike competitions will be held at 3:30. 

Vendor booths will be open from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. There will be local pet-friendly businesses at the Bark For Life supporter booths located in the middle of the First Tennessee Pavilion.

The American Cancer Society Bark For Life honors the life-long contribution of Canine Caregivers. Canine Caregivers are Canine Companions, Guide Dogs, Service Dogs, Rescue Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Police Dogs, Cancer Survivor Dos, and Diagnostic Dogs, who with their owners, are joining the American Cancer Society to celebrate cancer survivorship, to honor people lost to cancer, to fundraise in support of cancer research, education, awareness, patient services, advocacy, and to help eliminate the suffering that cancer causes worldwide. 

“Canine companions represent unconditional love, joy, security, compassion, and no judgments of human abilities or appearances,” said American Cancer Society Representative Christy Johnson. “Bark For Life is a way to ‘take a bite out of cancer,’ smile, and make new friends, both canine and human, while supporting the life-saving mission of the American Cancer Society.”