TodayWeekend event is for the dogs
Pawsabilities 2008 raises money for Susquehanna Service Dogs
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Article RatingDoes your dog dance? Can he or she limbo? How ‘bout catch a flying disc?
If those activities sound like fun, you and your pet will want to attend Pawsabilities 2008.
The annual event will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the state Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.
Pawsabilities is devoted to dogs and their human companions of all ages and includes activities for people and pooches.
“It’s an event that brings together the local dog community,” explains Susan Tyson, a volunteer with Susquehanna Service Dogs, beneficiary of the event proceeds. “You can bring your dog and have a day of fun outside the house.”
Last year’s event attracted an estimated 4,000 people and 2,000 dogs.
Pawsabilities will include the Doggy Olympic Games, where you can show off some basic commands; agility obstacles; canine freestyle or dancing with your dog; and hunter retrieving. There will even be a costume contest, limbo contest and kiss-off contest.
Other dog demonstrations will include flyball teams as well as leaping Frisbee, the bloodhounds of Summit Search and Rescue and therapy dogs.
New this year is the sport of weight pulling. Demonstrations will be given and there will be opportunities for visitors and their pets to attempt it.
“We keep trying to find new activities every year,” Tyson said.
There will be games for children, too, like dog-related crafts and a one-on-one with a real service dog.
Keystone DockDogs will again hold its popular competition of dogs jumping across water. Last year’s entry was the largest in the nation with more than 150 dogs.
Pawsabilities will also feature a Canine Marketplace with 60 vendors offering the latest in toys, treats, canine clothing and pet photos.
On the stage will be experts to give training tips and advice on canine physical and mental health.
And, if your pooch isn’t as fresh and clean as he could be, there will be a dog wash and nail trimming area.
Each day ends with a dog parade — Uncle Sam and a band followed by people walking with their dogs and competing for prizes in many categories such as the cutest, longest tail, shaggiest, smallest, largest and happiest dog.
For a complete schedule of activities, visit www.keystonehumanservices.org/ssd.
While the event is all about fun, it’s also about raising money.
Pawsabilities helps fund the placement of service dogs through Susquehanna Service Dogs, a program of Keystone Children and Family Services, which is designed to train and provide service and hearing dogs to assist children and adults with disabilities to become more independent.
SSD was founded in 1993 with a small group of dedicated individuals. They have placed service dogs in at least 23 counties in Pennsylvania and several nearby states.
About 15 service dogs are placed each year with families. The dogs cost $20,000 to train and those who receive them must pay $5,000 for the dogs.
Money raised through Pawsabilities goes toward the training and placement of dogs with families.
Allison Goodhart knows how much of a difference a service dog makes. The Middlesex Township girl is paralyzed from the waist down, and two years ago, she got John, a Susquehanna Service Dog.
“He’s made a very big difference in my life,” Allison says. “He helps me do things I couldn’t do before.”
Allison says one of the great things John does is pick things up off the floor for her that she can’t reach. She encourages everyone to visit Pawsabilities to raise money for Susquehanna Service Dogs.
“They make a very big impact on people’s lives,” she says.
