Photo Courtesy Vianca Ortega - Flyer for the Paws at the Park Event
The Office of Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez will host Paws at the Park, an event designed to promote responsible pet ownership while giving students and families a chance to relax and connect with the community.
Hidalgo County Judge Executive Assistant Vianca Ortega said the event is planned to support students outside of the classroom.
“One of the things that students struggle with is the stress and anxiety of keeping up with their classes. We know that animals are vital to our mental state. They can help us decompress,” Ortega said.
The executive assistant said Paws at the Park will be a free community event where the county will share resources and information with students and attendees.
“We’re gonna have different things that they can do, different types of socialization aspects to it, such as coffee. There’ll be hot chocolate. Additionally, there’ll be different resources for them such as microchipping and we’re also going to offer free vaccinations,” Ortega said.
Hidalgo County Judge Program Manager Lizbeth Gonzalez said the event will have a lot of learning, networking and resources for pet owners.
“It’s a lot that you can learn from, a lot of you can take advantage of, the mental hearth portion of it, which is perfect.” Gonzalez said.
The program manager said students and community members planning to attend the event must remember to take a leash in order to control their pets and make sure their fur babies are up to date with all their vaccines.
“If you were wanting to have your pet microchipped, it’s important that you also take proof of a US rabies vaccine,” Gonzalez said.
Biology junior Miranda Treviño said events such as Paws at the Park make it easier for college students and dog owners to take care of their pets by highlighting responsible ownership and guiding them toward the right resources.
Treviño said it is nice to see the community come together around animal health to create a safer environment for pets and owners.
Paws at the Park will take place from 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday at Bill Schupp Park, located at 1300 Zinnia Ave. in Mcallen.
Students and community members can also find more information and register online at hidalgocounty.us.
