Dog owners are invited to learn more about their furry friends at Responsible Dog Ownership Day Saturday at Kiesel Park.
Booths featuring information about dog first aid, dental care, local vet hours and other pet safety tips will be set up near the pavilion from 9 a.m. to noon.
"We're going to have some giveaways available that are people and pet friendly," said Melissa Weldon, youth enrichment manager for Auburn Parks and Recreation and director of the event.
Students from the vet school and local veterinarians will host the booths.
"They'll have information on topics that are health related to help make your dog's life better," Weldon said.
These students will also have another booth set up showcasing important vaccinations and "ooey-gooey samples from the vet school of what heartworms actually look like," Weldon said.
Booths about household dangers will be there, "whether it's different foods around your house that may be all right for people but are harmful to your dog's health ... or different medications or plants," Weldon said.
"I think everyone, including college students, can benefit from learning the most up-to-date training techniques and health information that will allow us all to be more responsible pet owners," said Jessie King, a volunteer for the event.
King said she is most excited to visit the household dangers booth.
"Education is the key to keeping my four-legged friends safe and healthy," she said.
King and her husband serve as a foster home for Paws Rescue, a group of volunteers who rescue pets, rehabilitate them and get them ready for adoption.
"Seeing firsthand the needs of so many companion animals, I was excited to hear that an event like this was being organized," King said.
The event will also feature demonstrations from local business owners.
Weldon said Karlene Turkington of Karlene's K-9 Academy will be present.
"She's going to be doing some canine good citizen testing and will have information about dog training."
Veterinarians from Tigertown Veterinary Hospital will host demonstrations showing owners how to properly clean their dog's teeth as just one of the many health-related booths.
"We're going to have a veterinarian out there that's going to be doing some microchipping and another that will be giving rabies shots," Weldon said.
The Lee County Humane Society will be present to share information about volunteer opportunities and adoption. Some of the dogs available for adoption will be at the park.
"You might not have a lot of money, but you have time," Weldon said of the chance to volunteer for the LCHS.
The event is the first of its kind for the park and is sure to be useful for dog owners of all ages, Weldon said.
Will Powers, junior in industrial engineering, has recently started taking his 9-month-old dog, Leela, to Kiesel Park.
"My vet told me not to go until she was about this age because of diseases," said Powers. "Now I probably go one or twice a week."
Kiesel regulars and any other dog owners are encouraged to attend the free event, Weldon said.
"You'll be taking away more than you came with," she said.
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