On Saturday, June 4, we held our inaugural Bark & Brew presented by Chief Financial Credit Union. More than 2,000 attendees came out to Rochester Mills Beer Co. in support of Leader Dogs for the Blind, making our first year a resounding success!
Attendees enjoyed live music on the Sellers Subaru Stage from Single Shot Steve and Oakland University Gold Vibrations and danced the night away during Parallel Fifth’s set. Children had a blast in the Kids’ Play Area enjoying a bounce in the Andrews Realty Bounce House and other inflatables, face painting, a coloring station and five carnival games.
Chief Financial Credit Union, the presenting sponsor of Bark & Brew and the official credit union of Leader Dogs for the Blind, unveiled its special Leader Dogs for the Blind reward Visa card at the event. For every card opened between now and June 18, Chief Financial will donate $25 to Leader Dog. Not only that, the more you spend, the more rewards you earn and the more donations Chief will make to Leader Dog!
Our intent behind putting on Bark & Brew was to create an event in which families and people of all ages could come out to learn more about Leader Dog in a relaxed and casual atmosphere. We couldn’t have been more pleased with our turnout in year one, especially considering some of the heavy rains we experienced in the evening. Some of our younger attendees even took the opportunity to play in the rain!
There were plenty of Future Leader Dogs, Leader Dog moms and dads, Leader Dogs in training and working Leader Dogs in attendance which gave attendees the opportunity to learn more about the many facets of Leader Dog, up close and personal. (would love the pic of the dog and little boy by this)
Attendees learned about volunteer opportunities such as puppy raising and hosting a breeding stock dog and took advantage of viewing live training demonstrations to see how our expert trainers teach our dogs the necessary skills to become guide dogs.
All in all, it was a great day and we look forward to seeing everyone (and more!) back next year as we plan to make Bark & Brew and annual Leader Dog event.
By Dani Landolt, Director of Corporate Relations at Leader Dogs for the Blind
Our event couldn’t have been a success without the support of our sponsors – a special thanks goes to: Chief Financial Credit Union, Sellers Subaru, Coastal Pet Products, Purina Pro Plan, All American Pet Resorts, Three Dog Bakery, Andrews Realty Group/Somerset Lending Corp, WNIC, WJR, WXOU and WXYZ.
