Family Fun Day brings crowds, pets to park

STAFFORD — A crowd of 400 displayed a dogged determination to attend the seventh annual Family Fun Day at Duff McDuff Green Park on Sunday. They braved an angry sky to participate in the fun, but informational activities.

A Congressional Opening

U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Va., opened the event sponsored by the Coalition for a Community Without Violence, saying the group’s work is critical to preventing needless crimes.

He lauded the participating organizations and said, “You are leading the way for improved victims’ assistance and recovery programs that are crucial for so many individuals that have been victimized.”

Stafford’s George Washington District Supervisor Harry Crisp also thanked the coalition for its efforts in crime prevention as well as coordination of the day’s activities.

Dogged Pursuits

As attendees trudged across soggy fields, several dozen exhibitors found shelter under canopies as the clouds again began to spill out a chilly shower. However two exhibit staffers seemed more than happy to romp through the rain. Black Labrador Retrievers Karl and Ankkar engaged in a playful dance with each other as they crossed the open field giving a whole new meaning to the cliché “raining cats and dogs.”

Their caretakers Emily and Laura Fernan and their mother Karen of Dumfries provided information about Assistance Dogs at the Lions Project for Canine Companions for Independence booth. They are currently raising their fifth CCI puppy. Information on becoming a CCI puppy raiser or applying for an Assistance Dog is available at cci.org.

The Friends Fur Life Spokesdog Toby was also a crowd magnet as he helped staff the combined charity and Pet’s Choice, Inc. exhibit.

The pet sitting company and the animal charity have joined forces for Pet’s Choice, Inc.’s second annual “Alpha Fido” Fundraiser for Take Your Dog To Work Day. The proceeds will benefit the Friends Fur Life Pet Sanctuary’s fund raising efforts to build a shelter in the area.

Pet’s Choice, Inc.’s co-owners Leslie Cockrell-Nalls and Amanda Heishman are aware that many domestic abuse victims will not check into a shelter because they cannot bring their pets and fear their abuser will harm their pet in their absence.

Cockrell-Nalls said they just recently began to focus on this situation, noting, “We fully support providing animal shelter facilities for victims of domestic abuse.”
Friends Fur Life president Brandy Henderson said she hopes to help provide temporary shelter for pets of those victims once they have enough funds to build their sanctuary.

Information about the new shelter can be found at friendsfurlifeps.com and details of the 2008 ‘Alpha Fido’ Fundraiser contest to support their efforts can be found at petschoiceinc.com.

Stafford sheriff’s Deputy B.D. Miller and 5-year-old German shepherd K-9 Officer Griff, as well as Deputy David Thompson and 7-year-old Belgian Malinois K-9

Officer Vlad had a crowd transfixed as the dogs ran through their paces. Stopping on a dime from a verbal or hand command, they ran through a tracking exercise. Upon successful completion of a task the dogs are allowed to play with a ball as a reward.

Equines and Birds

A corral of seldom seen small equines attracted young and old alike. Cavallini di Amore uses the miniature horses to help build and instill trust in children in an effort to stop the cycle of child abuse and neglect.

At risk children are given the chance to care for one of the animals and in so doing experience unconditional acceptance and love.

A Red Robin Restaurant robin was whirling about early in the day, but many in the crowd were anxiously awaiting the arrival of another whirly bird.
Two helicopters arrived about 1 p.m. but did not stay long as they had to take advantage of a break in the clouds for their return flight. However that did not diminish the thrill of flight for those watching form the ground.

Some other participants were a professional racing car, fire engines, a MADD crash car, Mary Washington Hospital Forensic Nurses, Sparky the Fire Dog, and the Circle of Parents.

Joint Efforts

The Planning District 16 coalition covers Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, and Caroline Counties and the City of Fredericksburg. It includes crime victim, child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence advocacy and support organizations.

It was organized to improve the community’s quality of life by providing a safe environment where all individuals are respected and valued.

Marty van Duyne is a member of the Dog Writers Association of America. She often contributes articles to the Stafford County Sun.