Barking for a Cause: First Bark for Life Event Coming to Berlin

There will be plenty of barks and howls to go around when area dogs join together in support of Relay for Life at the A.S. Labieniec store on Oct. 19 as berlin celebrates the first-ever community "Bark for Life."

The event, which organizers hope will become an annual fundraiser for the Berlin Relay for Life, is giving pet owners and enthusiasts an opportunity to share their love of animals.

"The premise behind the whole thing is we’re celebrating care-giving qualities of our canine friends,” Robin Guzauckas, Bark for Life of Southington committee member, told the Berlin Citizen. “If you don’t feel good, your dog always knows it — your dog’s always there for you.”

The event comes to Berlin just a few weeks after a similar program in Southington, which has seen success over the last two years since brining the event to town. 

The 2012 event proved beneficial to many from Berlin and led volunteers to plan their own in 2013 said Holly Ceruti, Bark for Life of Berlin committee member, in an interview with the Berlin Citizen.

Ceruti said a table at the Berlin Fair last weekend helped increase the number of participants, with over 35 now set to participate, and has increased hope that the event will raise more than $5,000 for cancer research. 

According to the American Cancer Society website, "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.

"By supporting Bark For Life, you help the American Cancer Society save lives, and that helps us move closer to our ultimate goal of a world with less cancer and more birthdays," the website states.

Bring your best canine friend and join us for a fun-filled day starting with a walk, and then continuing with demonstrations, contests, and games. The event will begin with registration at 12:30 p.m. and a survivor's lap at 1 p.m. A.S. Labieniec is located at 179 Farmington Ave. in Berlin. 

For more information, or to pre-register, contact Ceruti at (860) 828-3633, email aslabieniec@sbcglobal.net, or visit www.relayforlife.org/barkberlinct. 

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