Bark For Life Walk Saturday Morning in Hilo

The third annual Bark For Life event will be held Saturday at Liliuokalani Gardens in Hilo from 8 a.m. to noon.

Similar to Relay For Life, Bark For Life is a noncompetitive walk event for dogs and their owners to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer.

Dogs are often silent caregivers to their human companions with cancer.

However, dogs are often not allowed at the facilities where Relay For Life events are held. As a result, ACS created Bark For Life events nationwide to enable cancer survivors, their friends and families to include their canine companions in the festivities.

On Hawaii Island, the event is held every June in Hilo with similar events held on other islands around the same time.

Attendees at last year’s Bark For Life listen to a demonstration given by Carl O’Guss, director of the East Hawaii Dog Psychology Center. Photo by Denise Laitinen.

In addition to a short walk around Liliuokalani Gardens, the event will feature games, pet-related vendors, prizes, live music and contests.

Demonstrations will be held by a dog-agility club, a Hawaii Police Department K9 unit and the Hawaii Fire Department’s arson investigation canine.

Sponsors of Bark For Life include The Pet Hospital-Hilo, Big Island Pet Care Center, Kilauea Veterinary Services, Su Lin Kennels and Keauhou Veterinary Hospital.

For more information or to register call Cathy Hashimoto at (808) 935-0025 or go to www.relayforlife/barkhilohi.