The dreary weather did not deter the over 4,000 participants (human) from attending this fun annual event.
The day started with a “Walk for The Animals” pledge walk. 
Participates were encouraged to participate on an individual basis or by raising funds for this worthy cause. There were three categories; Youth, Individual and Group in which prizes were award.
Big kudos go out to Helen Gregory who individually raised $1,011 of pledges for the walk with her dog Angel.
Angel is a deaf little dog that brings inspiration to so many. Helen and Angel travel throughout many areas of Tennessee to raise money for different groups and organizations to help in the rescue and safe adoption of those animals in need.
Avery Trace raised almost $800 in pledges for their group walk.
The entire “Walk for the Animals” helped raise $3,000.
The “Walk for The Animals” included:
The youth Individuals: Carly Stout with “Sassy,” and Kylee Hendley with “Magnum." 
The top Individual winner was Helen Gregory with “Angel”
The top group award went to “Avery Trace Group Walkers”.
A special little puppy by the name of “Chance” came out for his big debut walk. Chance was given that name because he was given the best chance an abandoned puppy can be given “a chance at a happy loving life”.
Chance was thrown out of a moving vehicle and had one of his back legs severely injured. But with the loving and caring help of the Armell family Chance was given that second chance in life.
The Armell family took Chance into their home and got him an operation to put a pin and cast onto his back leg. Chance had just had the
pin and cast removed and successfully walked the 1.5 miles with his new family who are mom Heather, dad Ramey, son Jonathan and daughter Lindsey.
Part of Bark in the Park programs bring awareness to the terrible things humans can and do cause harm to animals. There are other options to help unwanted animals.
The first step is to have animals spayed and neutered to control unwanted puppies.
But in the event of an unwanted animal there are many rescues and shelters that these dogs can be brought to for a safe haven and and unharmed chance to be adopted by these types of families.
After the walk the gates opened to a fun filled day of free contests, agility course, lure course, splash water park, food, and lots of fun entertainment for the whole family, especially the lovable dogs that each family brought.
The dogs ranged from all sizes small and large to all different types of breeds and were all well behaved while interacting with each other.
The free contests was sponsored by Copyright Pet Resort and consisted of: Best Homemade Costume; Puppy Dash; Largest/Smallest Dog; Best Pet Swimsuit; Jump, Fido, Jump; Owner-Pet-Look-Alike and Best Purchased Costume.
Owners and dogs were able to test their skills on the agility course which offered them the chance to jump through hoops, walk through poles, walk through tunnels, 
and walk up and down ramps.
Some laid down and decided not to attempt the agility challenges. Some seemed apprehensive and just when you thought they would not rise to the challenge they scored and completed some of the course challenges.
At the lure course dogs chased a white object around a course.
This was a funny event as some dogs caught the white object, and others just ran and ran...giving it their best shot to catch the elusive white object.
There was a new attraction this year called “Bark-A-Rita-Ville” where the dogs played in small bone shaped pools of water and sand boxes. 
Bark-A-Rita-Ville was decorated like a doggy, tropical island paradise--complete with palm trees, cool water to splash around, sand to dig in, and bubble machines creating fun catching bubbles all over the area.
Naturally, Jimmy Buffet music played in the background.
The dogs dressed in their best attire for the numerous costume contests.
There were also booths set up by the Humane Society of Putnam and Jackson County, Cookeville/Putnam County Animal Shelter, Bless the Bully’s Pit Bull Rescue and Education, Animal Awareness Assoc. of Overton 
County and Wags & Whiskers Pet Rescue.
There were many different dogs on location from these organizations that were available for adoption as well as education information on these organizations and how they help with community awareness.
Ragland and Riley Veterinary Hospital were giving out free pet ID tags and general care information. There was also foster program awareness and information, spay and neuter awareness and information and Pit Bull Rescue and education.
All in all it was a very successful day for the 6th Annual Bark In The Park. 
Friends of Cookeville/Putnam Animals wanted to Thank everyone who came out and enjoyed and helped support this event.
All proceeds from this event will go toward the future P.E.T. Care Campus being planned for our community! The Pet Education Training Care Campus will include a new Cookeville/Putnam County Animal Shelter, Humane Society Spay/Neuter Clinic, Education/Training facility and a real dog park.
More details on this incredible project and its location will be announced, but in the meantime our eyes and efforts are focused on raising awareness of the many homeless animals in our community and raising project funding.
For more information p
lease visit Frends of Cookeville/Putnam Co. Animals website: http://friendsofcpcanimals.org/home.asp
