Residents, Dogs Help Fight Cancer Through Bark for Life

Residents and their dogs take a break from walking laps to listen to a presentation during Bark for Life Menifee. Menifee 24/7 photos: Doug Spoon

The American Cancer Society received support from a group of spirited canines and their owners July 11 when the second annual Bark for Life was held at Menifee's Wheatfield Park.

In a shorter version of the 24-hour Relay for Life held in many cities raising funds to fight cancer, the Bark for Life invites residents to solicit donations from sponsors and walk their dog in laps around the park. Some of the participants in the Relay for Life Menifee, held in May, also took part in this event, which included booths with information from canine support groups about cancer, as well as games and an exhibition by members of the K9 Disc Drill team of Riverside.

"This is a smaller version of Relay for Life, because in a 24-hour event you can't include dogs," said Jamie Zellers, one of 19 people and their dogs representing Team Woof Walkers, supported by the Perris Walmart. "Even though it's a smaller event, we still raise a lot of money for the same cause. All of us have been touched by cancer in one way or another."

Team Woof Walkers had raised more than $9,500 even before the completion of the event. Zellers' American Bulldog, Abby, also received one of several prizes awarded, being named largest dog by girth. Team Woof Walkers was also named most spirited team.

Nicole Miller, event chair for the San Jacinto Relay for Life, attended with her 9-year-old miniature pinscher, Scooter. She said her experience at the Bark for Life has inspired her to take the same idea back to her city.

"There's a little more confusion among people when you go to collect donations for this, but they're very enthusiastic once they find out what it's about," Miller said. "This is not only about humans but also about canines with cancer, and about people who have gone through cancer and had the companionship of a canine."

David Procida of K9 Disc Drills entertained the crowd with several of his herding dogs that performed tricks chasing down frisbees. The most agile appeared to be Joker, a 2-year-old hanging tree cow dog (a herding breed from Oklahoma).

"They're bred to herd feral cattle," said Procida, who attends as many Bark for Life events as possible to support the cause. "He's a natural, and as you can see he's got excellent tracking ability. All the herding breeds have the ability to play."

For more information about those who participated and future events, visit the Menifee Bark for Life website here.

Members of Team Woof Walkers and other award winners pose for a group photo at Bark for Life Menifee.