Bark For Life: Cancer Council lodges to host dogs to help sufferers

BARK For Life is coming to Perth in November and Cancer Council Western Australia is calling on all dog owners and dog lovers to be a part of it.

The event highlights the importance of humanity’s best friend to people going through cancer.

At the Cancer Council’s two lodges for regional patients in Shenton Park and Nedlands, people’s pets play a key role.

Bark For Life is also a chance to unite and celebrate cancer survivors, patients and carers, honour loved ones lost, and raise money to fund cancer research, education and support services for WA families.

Cancer Council WA’s cancer information and support services director Sandy McKiernan said there was “often a strong bond that exists between dog owners and their pets, and it’s been shown that dogs can provide invaluable support during a cancer experience”.

She said guests at Milroy Lodge in Shenton Park and Crawford Lodge in Nedlands feel the connection with their pets very keenly.

“Often they’re away from their homes and their much-loved pets for long periods of time and miss the companionship that’s offered by their pooch. They’ll take every opportunity to have a cuddle with a pooch,” Ms McKiernan said.

The inaugural Bark For life will take place at the Paul Hasluck Reserve in Nedlands on Sunday 13 November and will include a group walk around the reserve, “pooch-perfect stalls”, as well as micro-chipping, vet checks, training demonstrations, and an obstacle course.