AAAH 2013 Dogfest booth

Beginning in 2011, Arise Church, located in Pinckney, launched a dog lover’s event known as DOGFEST. The event is centered around the special bond between Man (and Woman’s) Best Friend and is intended “as a way to promote the Arise Church Community Dog Park”. The event had 450 attendees in 2011, nearly 1,000 people in 2012 with the tally from this past Saturday’s event still being counted (although expectations are that 2013’s  attendance will exceed last year’s DOGFEST event).

This year’s event was held Saturday, September 14^th with hundreds of dog lovers and approximately 30 vendors attending making for a memorable event on a beautiful fall day. The Ann Arbor Animal Hospital was invited to participate in the “Speaker Series” educating attendees on Acupuncture For Pets.

Dr. Jessica Franklin, one of two DVMs at the Ann Arbor Animal Hospital trained in Acupuncture, gave a live demonstration with the assistance of Colleen McGraw, a long time Licensed Veterinary Technician at the hospital, and “Harry”, a 14 ½ year old dog and patient at the Ann Arbor Animal Hospital.

Dr. Franklin and Colleen discussing Acupuncture at the event.

DOGFEST had great things available this year, including lots of participatory activities for dogs and their owners. This year’s DOGFEST included a Weight pulling dog demonstration, Sheep herding demonstration, Treiball demonstration (a herding game for dogs using large exercise balls and a goal), Blood tracking demonstration, a Lure course where dogs chase a dog toy (think greyhound racing where they chase a simulated rabbit), Agility course, Triathlon Course, Flyball demonstration, live music, free games and activities for kids. Of course, lots of dog play took place in the Arise Church Community Dog Park. Finally, admission to DOGFEST was $10 per vehicle, or just $5 with a dog food donation to Gleaners Pet Pantry.

In case you’re wondering, the dog park hours are Mondays through Saturday’s daylight to dusk and Sundays from noon to dusk. The Arise Community Dog Park is free, open to the public and is a 2 acre fenced in area where dog owners can bring their dogs for unleashed socialization, exercise and play with other dogs. It is located at 11211 Dexter-Pinckney Rd, just south of Darwin Rd, about one mile south of the Pinckney High School.

Dr. Franklin and Colleen performing an actual Acupuncture procedure on Harry.