DOBSON — Next week, cancer survivors of a different sort and their pals will walk to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

Surry County will have its first Bark for Life, a canine event to fight cancer, next week at Fisher River Park in Dobson. The dog walk will raise money for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

“It’s an opportunity to come out, have fun, and help the community,” said Giny Haynes, ACS community manager for Surry County.

The event will take place on Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will begin with registration at 9 a.m., followed by an opening ceremony at 10 p.m. and then walking.

“It will be like a mini-Relay, except with dogs,” explained Haynes.

The relay will include a morning of activities, games and contests. The Mount Airy Police Department K-9 Unit will be on hand to provide demonstrations. There will also be food vendors set up, as well as water pools for the dogs.

People do not have to register ahead of time, but if they would like a registration form, they can pick them up at Froo Froo’s Pet Boutique in downtown Mount Airy. For the $10 registration fee, which will go to the ACS, canine participants will receive a bandana and goody bag.

If canine cancer survivors are present, they will receive a special silver bandana. Haynes said, “Any dog is welcome, but if we do have cancer survivors, we definitely want them to walk as well.”

The grand marshal of the event will be Meggie, a golden retriever from Stokes County who is a survivor of lymphoma. Meggie’s owner, Cindy Taylor, will speak during the opening ceremony.

This will be the first Bark for Life in Surry County. Similar events are taking place this month in Elkin, Greensboro and Winston-Salem. Bark for Life is a new concept for the area, but Haynes said, “In other areas, they have been very successful.”

The event will take place rain or shine, just like Relay for Life. There will be some Relay teams raising money at Bark for Life.

In addition to collecting registration fees, the ACS has a few sponsors for Bark for Life. These include Mount Airy Veterinary Hospital, State Road Animal Hospital and Timbercreek Veterinary Hospital.

Owners must show current proof at the event that their dogs have been vaccinated. Each dog must also be on a six-foot maximum leash. Owners will also be asked to clean up after their dogs.

For more information about the event, call 469-1661 or visit www.relayforlife.org/surrymtairy.

Contact Meghann Evans at mevans@mtairynews.com or 719-1952.