Pooch Park will host its 10th annual Mutt Strutt tomorrow at Reaney Park from 1-3:30 p.m. The festival-style fundraiser will allow dogs to have fun while raising money for the park and for the Whitman County Humane Society.

“I absolutely love being a part of Pooch Park,” said Brian Clark, Pooch Park grounds manager and volunteer at the Mutt Strutt. “The dogs love the park, and I love the dogs. With the Mutt Strutt, it’s a great way to be involved with the dogs and raise money for the park and the [Whitman County] Human Society.”

Clark is an advocate for owning a dog because of the health benefits related to interacting with the animal for both them and the human, like spending time outside and socializing the dog.

“The Mutt Strutt is a place where humans and dogs can get together and socialize,” Clark said. “Dogs are social animals, [so] hanging out with other dogs teaches them how to behave better. Plus, it’s good for the humans to get outdoors and play with their dogs.”

Kellie Klein, member of the Mutt Strutt and Pooch Park committees, believes the Mutt Strutt is important because it’s centered around the dogs rather than the busy lives we usually focus on.

“The Mutt Strutt is important because Pullman is a super dog-friendly town,” Klein said. “Everyone here loves their dogs so much, and it’s really fun to have an event where everyone can get together to have fun specifically for their dogs.”

The proceeds from the Mutt Strutt will be split between Pooch Park — one of the largest off-leash dog parks on the Palouse — and the Whitman Humane Society. Clark said he supports the Humane Society because his own dog came to him from one.

“The Humane Society needs these funds, and it’s such a great place,” Clark said. “I have a rescue dog and when we got him he had lost an eye, he was skinny, but despite all these trials and tribulations after just a few months with us he was immediately so sweet and mellow and well-mannered. That’s reason enough to support humane societies – because of the good they do for these animals.”

The dogs will be able to play several different games throughout the Mutt Strutt. They can also participate in several contests, including musical chairs, best smile and treat balancing.

“I love seeing all the different breeds and all the different dogs that come every year,” Klein said. “The contests are so cute, the costume contest is my favorite, seeing all the pups in their little costumes, and it’s so cute to see the same corgi win the Bobbing for Hot Dogs contest every year.”

The Mutt Strutt will take place from 1 to 3:30 p.m. tomorrow at Reaney Park. Admission is $10 per dog, including vendor ‘swag’ and two free game tickets. Extra game tickets will be available for purchase. Yellow Dog Flats will perform throughout the event starting at 12. For more information and the full schedule, go to the 10th Annual Mutt Strutt Facebook Page.

“The Mutt Strutt is a place where the dogs don’t really know what they’re doing,” Clark said. “They don’t realize they’re racing to lick peanut butter off a spoon or bobbing for hotdogs, but they’re having fun and showing off.”