Strong Dogs Day at Somerset Hills YMCA

The Somerset Hills YMCA Invites Everyone to Strong Dogs Day! 

On Saturday, September 22^nd, the Somerset Hills YMCA invites all members of the community to its 3^rd annual Strong Dogs Day. The day of fun will be held from 1pm to 4pm in the Y’s backyard at 140 Mt. Airy Road. All dogs and their human companions are welcome. The day will kick off with a blessing of the hounds, followed by a dog wash, obstacle course, pet grooming and special activities for the entire family. Many local vendors, kennels, and groomers will also attend. Sponsorship opportunities are available at various levels.

During the weeks leading up to Strong Dogs Day, the Y will be raising funds for the Strong Kids Annual Campaign through “Paws with a Cause”.  For a $5 donation, paw prints can be purchased and personalized in honor of a pooch or family pet.  The paw prints will be displayed around the Welcome Center. 

The Y’s Strong Kids Campaign is a financial assistance program that provides funding to local families in need by sending children to Y summer camp, providing childcare services, offering reduced memberships, and supporting community outreach programs.

“The concept behind the Strong Dogs event is to encourage the community to take steps toward a healthier lifestyle,” said Peter Barry, Director of Competitive Swimming at the Y and Strong Dogs coordinator. “There have been a number of reports that conclude that owning and walking a dog can lead to a healthier lifestyle. It’s along the lines of ‘Show me a healthy dog and I’ll show you a healthy family.’ When you consider the fact that more than 1,800 residents of Bernards Township alone have licensed dogs, we are expecting a terrific turnout that will benefit pet owners, as well as our Strong Kids Financial Assistance Campaign. There will be plenty of promotions, dog ownership tips and giveaways for all.”

For more information about Strong Dogs Day and opportunities to be a sponsor of or a vendor at the event, please visit www.somersethillsymca.org or contact Julie Pascarella at jpascarella@somersethillsymca.org or 908-766-7898 x343.