Bark was the operative word last Saturday as thousands descended on Riverside Park to enjoy a day socializing their pups at the annual Bark in the Park, presented by the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County.
Tails were wagging, furry bodies were in constant motion and noses were on sniffer overload as four-legged companions, trying their very best to behave, dragged their humans from one tempting activity to another. There were mouthwatering treats to enjoy from the many pet-centric vendors on hand and an abundance of humans and other canines they all had to personally greet.
Some of the braver sorts flew through the air with the greatest of ease – landing with a splash into the Ultimate Air Dog Jumping pool. Still others strained at the leash, wanting to snatch just one of those Frisbees away from the famed Disc-Connected Canines. They sat and looked on in awe as members of the Indian River County Sheriff’s K-9s displayed their courage, and showed off a bit themselves on the lure course and agility course.
New this year, Marcel Goncalves, pet behavior and enrichment manager, demonstrated the HSVBIRC Play Dogs Play program, which is meant to identify dog personalities and behaviors in play groups, promote behavior modifications and improve dogs’ social skills as a way to increase adoptions.
This was the first Bark in the Park for Kate Meghji, who assumed the position of HSVBIRC executive director effective Jan. 2, but she said they had something similar to benefit the Lawrence Humane Society in Kansas, where she was previously executive director.
“It’s a similar demographic of where they’re coming from; stray intake vs. owner surrender,” said Meghji. “So I’m hopeful that we can take some of the things that we did at my last shelter and implement them here. There’s all kinds of fun things we’re going to do here and I think it’s going to be really beneficial for the animals and the community.”
A self-proclaimed ‘data nerd,’ Meghji said in addition to meeting with staff and getting a feel for general operations, she has been looking at such statistics as intake numbers, where the animals are coming from and why, and ways to reduce intake over time and increase adoptions.
Board member Wendy Trimarche chaired the event this year, and Tim Swift even returned from his home in Colorado to help out.
“Wendy and the volunteers and staff and Tim have been working really hard on this event,” said Meghji. “It’s really impressive how well-oiled this thing is.”
For more information visit hsvb.org.
Photos by: Leigh Green
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