“Doggies in Tiaras” FUN-FILLED DOG PAGEANT DEBUTS IN ST. JOSEPH, MICH., OCT. 19
ST. JOSEPH, MI – Putting on the dog will have special meaning when Blossomtime and The Petz Carlton present a beauty pageant for dogs. This fun-filled, family event will be held Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. on the Veranda at The Whitcomb, 509 Ship Street, St. Joseph, Mich. Money raised will support Healing Paws Therapy Dogs, a not-for-profit organization that trains privately owned canines and volunteers to work in health care and youth facilities.
“This contest is the dog version of Southwest Michigan’s popular Blossomtime pageants for teens,” said event Helen Fasano, event organizer and owner of sponsor Petz Carlton, a bed-and-breakfast dog care facility in Benton Harbor, Mich. Fasano said dogs will compete in several categories: Photogenic, Most Glamorous, Best Talent and Best Costume (sporting, diva, creative and outrageous). Awards will be given to Miss Dog Congeniality USA and “Peoples’ Choice.” Top honors will go to Miss Dog Diva who will receive a National Rhinestone dog-size tiara and Mr. King Dog who will leave with a handsome collar. Runners up will receive treats, toys and gifts for their owners. There is a $15 entry fee plus category fees: $5 each for Most Glamorous, Best Talent and Best Costume and $10 for Photogenic. Each entrant will receive a collar charm. Tickets to the event are $5 at the door. “Healing Paws Therapy brings a lot of joy and encouragement to patients reluctant to do their physical therapy,” said Fasano. She said the trained and certified dogs work one-on-one with patients and physical therapists to inspire communication, sensory processing, mobility and social skills. Volunteers bring their dogs to Lakeland HealthCare facilities, the Area Agency on Aging, the Sonya & Ansari Centers for Autism, and a new program at Boys & Girls Club in Benton Harbor, Mich. “One of my year end goals is to also start a program to help support our local veterans. Hopefully this event will garner more volunteers and enable us to certify more dogs to fill the need in SW Michigan.”
For more information about the dog pageant or Healing Paws Therapy, contact Fasano at (269) 422-5004 or visit thepetzcarlton.com.
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