Paws in the Park

As a volunteer for the booth benefiting Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, Dublin, I attended the first «Paws in the Park» dog event held at the National Show Centre, Cloughran, Co. Dublin, which ran 28 – 29 June 2014. This was a family and community centered weekend, and it welcomed people of every age and their doggie friends to enjoy a wide range of events, training sessions, and demonstrations/​performances that ranged from agility, obedience, games, «doggie dancing,» drill teams, sled dogs, and fun competitions. Embedded within all the fun was an emphasis on safe and responsible pet ownership.
Outside areas featured booths (where I was stationed) of interest to pet owners and enthusiasts, but there was also plenty of room to walk around with your dog, meet other people, and if you brought small children, allow them to take a turn in a bouncy castle. It was a relaxed atmosphere that was perfect for a family outing or just a couple of hours on one’s own to learn a few tips to improve owner-​pet relationships. Overall, it was a fantastic event, and with more exposure, I am sure that Paws in the Park will continue to thrive and attract even more visitors in years to come.
Pricing for 2014 was as follows, and again demonstrates that Paws in the Park was dedicated to making this a fun and affordable day for all:
(prices are listed for at the gate/​advanced booking)
Adult € 10.00/€ 8.50
Senior € 7.00/€ 5.00
Child (3 – 15 years) € 7.00/€ 5.00
Family (2 adults + 2 children) € 30.00/€ 25.00
Family (2 adults + 3 children) € 35.00/€ 28.00