Bark in the Park draws dog lovers from throughout region for day of fun | News, Sports, Jobs

Dino and his owner, Karen Franklin, give a demonstration at Bark in the Park on Saturday. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Dogs and dog lovers alike congregated together at Jefferson County Memorial Park for the Animal Welfare Society of Jefferson County’s (AWS) annual Bark in the Park festival on Saturday morning.

According to AWS board member Jane Tarner, this year’s Bark in the Park drew attendees from as far out as Maryland and Virginia.

“Last year we had about 75 dogs through the course of the day. We’ll see how today turns out — we certainly have great weather for it!” Tarner said. “We’ve got a nice amount of vendors and games for the dogs to participate in.”

One of those games, an automated lure course, was run throughout the three-hour event by 3 Dog Farm, LLC. The business is a dog training, daycare and boarding center, serving the Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. region.

“This is one of our favorite events! When we were starting out and were worried about getting clients, we did this event and it really opened up the doors for us,” said 3 Dog Farm owner Gina Schaecher. “It really helped our business, when we were starting out, so we make sure to come back every year.”

A bulldog tries out the automated lure course, run by 3 Dog Farm, at Bark in the Park on Saturday. Tabitha Johnston

One of the newer vendors at Bark in the Park was Katelyn’s Pet Services. The business makes home visits, so pets can remain in a comfortable setting while having a variety of services done, such as having their nails trimmed and ears and anal glands cleaned.

“I started Katelyn’s Pet Services a couple of months, just to help my husband out with money,” said Katelyn Wright, who has been a veterinary technician for 10 years. “People don’t like to do nail trims on their own, because their dogs don’t like them. And, of course, their owners don’t want to make them upset. That’s where I come in — I enjoy being able able to provide professional care to pets in a comfortable environment!”

Across the lawn under a large tent, the series of events kicked off with the annual Blessing of the Animals, given for the second year-in-a-row by Rev. Jennifer Verdugo, of Riverside Church.

“I’ve had dogs my whole life and I know how much they add [to your quality of life]. It’s just a tremendous addition and enrichment of our lives, to have something that God created that connects with us in such a way that they become a family member,” Verdugo said. “I think we forget that sometimes that’s the family people have. So to me, this is such a precious ask, that they would be mindful to include this as part of the event.”

Following the Blessing of the Animals, a variety of competitions took center stage in the tent, including canine demonstrations, dog and owner games and canine contests. The events were emceed by AWS board member Cathy Heffner.

People from throughout the region wait to check their dogs in at Bark in the Park on Saturday. Tabitha Johnston

“This is my third year being the emcee, and I love it!” Heffner said. “I love dogs and I love interacting with dogs and making sure that people understand that a dog is more than just a pet — a dog is a family member and should be involved in pretty much every part of your life.

“We try to do our games and things like that, to get people involved with their dogs and see that dogs really can give a lot back to their owners,” Heffner said. “You may give them a home and shelter, but dogs can give you something, too — joy and unconditional love — things that you can’t get anywhere else!”

A group of children greet a dog at Bark in the Park on Saturday morning. Tabitha Johnston