All Creatures Great and Small Deserve a Blessing

Sept. 13, 2012 - PRLog -- Franklin Park, Pa – September 10, 2012 - Who says church is just for people? Ingomar Church loves your pets as much as you do!  Bring your dogs and cats, rabbits and fish, and even lizards and hermit crabs to the church’s annual Blessing of the Pets/Paws for a Cause event on September 23 at 1:00 pm in the outdoor chapel. Friendly pets of every stripe will receive a personal blessing from Pastor David Streets or Pastor Dianne Glave.

“I think it’s really cool that the church thinks my hermit crab is important too,” said 10-year-old Nate Hipwell after last year’s event.

Pets and their owners are invited to stay after the blessing for pet-related contests, games, shopping and entertainment. Proceeds benefit Hair Peace Charities, a nonprofit organization that helps women undergoing chemotherapy to buy wigs.

Hair Peace Director Bonny Diver, a pet lover and breast cancer survivor, said collaborating on a pet blessing was a natural choice for her organization because pets have proven to be a valuable part of cancer recovery.

“Taking your dog for a 45 minute walk everyday can reduce your reoccurrence of breast cancer up to 50 percent!” she said.

Following the blessing service, celebrities Scott Harbaugh from WPXI-TV, Melanie Taylor from Star 100.7 and Lori Geiger from KDKA will judge pet competitions. Categories include best trick, a pet/owner look-a-like, and happiest pet.

At the Sniff ‘N Shop, pet owners can browse product displays from pet related businesses and organizations, including Animal Friends, Healthy Pet Products and Soergel’s.

Have a question about caring for or training your pet? Get answers at Ask the Vet and Ask the Trainer sessions with Misty Pines dog park experts.

Pets and people alike can groove to live music from The Pooch Padres.

Diver founded Hair Peace in 2005 with the help of Ingomar Church. The organization has supported over 500 women in the Western PA region through funding, a support group and prayer.

You may register for the Blessing of the Pets/Paws for a Cause event at the church website, www.ingomarchurch.org.  However, registration is NOT required and walk-ins are welcome.

For more information or media inquiries, please contact Bonny Diver at bdiver1@verizon.net or 412-327-5177. Photo opportunities available.