Bark For Life is this Saturday, April 5th, in Florham Park

Calling all dogs! The American Cancer Society’s Bark For Life event will take place this Saturday, April 5th, on the Gazebo Lawn outside Borough Hall. The rain date is Sunday, April 6th. Registration begins at 11:00 am. Opening ceremonies start at 12:00 pm. The event runs until 4:00 pm, following closing ceremonies. Bark For Life is designed as a lead-in to the annual Relay For Life of Madison/Florham Park in June, which raises money to support cancer research and patient support services.

Activities will include dog walks, dog contests, animal shelter and rescue dog organization booths, more than 20 retail vendors, children’s activity corner, and celebrity dog reading. Baked goods, pizza, and dog biscuits will be sold. Mascot Barkley the dog will be on hand to greet participants. A variety of demonstrations will be held such as Sheriff's K-9 unit, agility dogs, Reiki for pets, dog trainer Q&A, and dog and owner boot camp. Radio station WDHA will broadcast from the event. For more information on the schedule, visit www.relayforlife.org/barkflorhamparknj. Registration on-site costs $20.00 per dog and includes a doggie bandana. Humans are free.

Bark For Life invites dogs of all ages, colors, shapes, and sizes to bring their owners and meet other dogs at the 1st annual event. Participants will be able to take a stroll around with hundreds of dogs and their owners, and enjoy the celebration of their four-legged loved ones. The event is designed to celebrate canine caregivers (companion, guide, diagnostic, rescue, police, therapy, and service dogs, among others) because they help cancer patients and their families through their darkest hours by exhibiting unconditional love and security without judgment.

Bark For Life is chaired by Hanover Park High School freshmen brothers Brendan and Jason Sardo, and friend Derek Saul.

Volunteers from Relay For Life of Madison/Florham Park will be present at Bark For Life to sell Luminaria candles, as well as provide team and participant registration information. Relay For Life will be held on the grounds of Madison High School from Saturday afternoon, June 21st, to Sunday morning, June 22nd.

For more information, contact Caitlin Udall at the American Cancer Society at (973) 285-8030 or email at Caitlin.Udall@cancer.org. The American Cancer Society saves lives. We’re here to eliminate cancer as a major health problem.