GH-1762 Strut Mutt CNJ 4C_GH-1762 Strut Mutt CNJ 4C 9/15/11 11:09 AM Page 1
It’s Time to Strut Your Mutt By Patricia Smillie-Scavelli Garden State Veterinary Specialists
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n Sunday, October 16, 2011 the Friends of the Monmouth County Parks System will be holding their 8th Annual Doggie Costume Contest and Pet Fair sponsored by Garden State Veterinary Specialists. This annual event is an opportunity to bring your dog to Thompson Park dressed in a Halloween costume and possibly win a prize in one of several categories, including: the Best Canine/Human Combo, Most Original, Scariest, Funniest, and Prettiest. Winners in each category will be selected during the pet parades held at noon and 3:00 p.m. The Monmouth County Sheriff ’s K-9 Unit will be demonstrating the skills of their specially trained dogs and their human partners at 1:30 p.m. Pet product vendors will be offering unique items for your pet and the pet lover in all of us during the Pet Fair. The Pet Fair is a great experience for true animal lovers. You can take your dog to the park; enjoy the Pet Fair with them and even dress up for Halloween. While enjoying your day, you and your dog can support the Monmouth County Parks system, including the off-leash dog areas. The importance of off-leash dog areas in an urban environment has been established in research studies. A community which has an offleash dog area provides a place for both dogs and humans to socialize with each other. Play is an important activity for a dog and is pretty important for humans as well. Having a designated space for dogs and their owners reduces the likelihood that dogs will be let loose in other areas where they could adversely affect the rights of other park users. Dogs often help people break the ice,
getting people who share similar interests to socialize while exercising their dogs. The opportunity to socialize builds a sense of community which benefits everyone. The Monmouth County Parks System has designated two off-leash dog areas for Monmouth County, one located in Thompson Park on Newman Springs Road in Lincroft and a second one at the Wolf Hill Recreation Area in Oceanport. The Thompson Park location offers a 1.5 acre space for larger dogs and a ¼ acre “small dog area”. This location offers water to both humans and canines. At the Wolf Hill Recreation Area there are concrete patios with sheltered picnic tables. Both off-leash dog areas are open 7 days a week during regular park hours. Every dollar raised during this event goes to the Friends of the Parks and supports the programs and facilities of the Monmouth County Park System that made the Off-Leash Recreation Areas for Dogs possible. We urge everyone to come out and support this event. Bring your dog on a leash and enjoy the day in the park together while you browse among the pet related displays at the Pet Fair or participate in the Costume Contest. If you would like to enter your dog (or you and your dog) in the Costume Contest you can register ahead of time or at the Fair, for more information on the event call the Friends at 732.975.9735 or visit their website at www.friendsofmonmouthcountyparks.com. To see pictures from last year’s Strut your Mutt Doggie Costume Contest visit www.gsvs.org. Stop by the Garden State Veterinary Specialists booth at the Pet Fair and learn more about veterinary specialty services that are available in your community. See you at the Pet Fair!
GARDEN STATE VETERINARY SPECIALISTS Proudly Sponsors
Friends of the Parks Monmouth County Park System
Strut Your mutt 8th Annual
Doggie Costume Contest and Pet Fair
Join the Friends of the Parks for some doggone fun and raffle prizes. Trophies awarded in 5 categories: funniest, scariest, prettiest, most original, and best canine/ human combo. Thompson Park Day WHEN: Sunday 10/16/11 WHERE: Thompson Park 800 Newman Springs Rd., Lincroft, NJ 07738 TIME: 11 am - 5 pm Contest Times: 12 noon • 3:00 pm Pre-Registration Welcomed! $10.00 Entry Fee by 10/7/11 $15.00 Entry Fee Day of Event Call 732-975-9735 or visit www.friendsofmonmouthcountyparks.com
All of the funds raised at this event benefit: The Monmouth County Parks System including Off-Leash Dog Area
VETERINARY REFERRAL HOSPITAL 24/7 EMERGENCY CARE
GARDEN STATE VETERINARY SPECIALISTS One Pine Street • Tinton Falls, NJ 07753
tel: 732-922-0011 fax: 732-922-0991 w w w. g s vs. o rg • w w w. f e l i n e hy p e r t hy ro i d i s m . c o m S/B GSP Exit 102, N/B GSP Exit 100A Director: Thomas D. Scavelli, DVM, Diplomate ACVS
COMMUNITY MAGAZINE 27