Dogs receive blessing at Uniontown dog park

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Those in attendance listen to the Rev. Laura Blank’s blessing at the “Blessing of Animals” Saturday at Tails of the Trail Dog Park in Uniontown.

Paul Paterra/Observer-Reporter

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The Rev. Laura Blank of Pleasant View Presbyterian Church with her dog Tilly, a mixed breed.

Paul Paterra/Independent-Observer

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The Rev. Laura Blank delivers the blessing.

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Ed Cope of South Union Township and his daughter Beth John of Orlando, Fla., with their black mouth cur, Kenny Ferguson, who is a rescue.

Paul Paterra/Observer-Reporter

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Christiana Cocciardo of Hopwood and her Boston terrier, Posey, receive an individual blessing from the Rev. Laura Blank.

Paul Paterra/Observer-Reporter

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Savannah Thomas of Perryopolis was at the Blessing of Animals with Cheddar, her labradoodle.

Paul Paterra/Observer-Reporter

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About a dozen dogs were blessed Saturday during a “Blessing of Animals” at Tails of the Trail Dog Park in Uniontown. “We’ve invited dogs from our church and around the community to come and receive a blessing because we know what a blessing our animals are to us,” said the Rev. Laura Blank of Pleasant View Presbyterian Church, who presided over Saturday’s event. “We’re out there to meet the community and make some new friends.” Blank said the blessing was held at the church for several years, but this year it was moved to the dog park. Blank offered a group blessing for the pooches in attendance and then blessed each individually. She also presented the owners with a certificate in the dog’s name. The event is held in conjunction with the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, who preached about treating animals with kindness and respect. “He was a great lover of animals, so we thought it would be fitting,” Blank said.