Man and man’s best friend will join forces in the fight against cancer this weekend, as the local Relay For Life brings the popular Bark For Life event back to Dowagiac.

Local residents and their dogs are invited out to the event, which takes place from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, at the Dowagiac Union High School running track, located at 701 W. Prairie Ronde St. Registration costs $10 per dog participating in the walk.

Similar to the annual Relay For Life event, which took place this year in July, attendees of Saturday’s Bark For Life will have the opportunity to make multiple laps around the high school track to show their support of cancer research and to honor survivors and victims of the dreaded disease — only this time, they can bring their four-legged friends along for the jaunt.

Several other activities for people and pets alike are lined up for the morning, including toenail trimming, musical “sit” and peanut butter licking contest for dogs, and silent auctions and a dog poop toss for their owners. A “kissing booth” will also be set up that morning, where attendees can take pictures with their dogs.

As with the traditional Relay, registration fees and other money generated by the event will be donated to the American Cancer Society for cancer research and support.

This is the first time in several years that organizers with the Cass County Relay For Life have put on the canine-centric cancer fundraiser in Dowagiac.

“I figured this would a good opportunity to get some new people involved,” said Kristan Stelmasiak, the lead organizer for the event. “Relay typically draws the same crowd every year, so I figured by doing this we might draw in other people.”

Stelmasiak has been involved with the Relay committee for the last several years, getting involved in the national fight against cancer for the same reason as many other locals — because of family. Her grandmother and grandfather both died after battling cancer, while her mother was diagnosed with colon cancer last year.

The Bark For Life also provides the Dowagiac woman with an outlet for another cause she holds dear, the welfare of animals. While not a dog owner herself, Stelmasiak is a frequent volunteer with the Homeward Bound Animal Welfare Group rescue group, where she helps walk the dogs living at the South Bend shelter, she said.

While typically a disease associated with people, cancer is also a major blight for canine health as well. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, dogs develop cancer at around the same rate as humans, with 1 in 4 animals growing a tumor at some point during its lifetime.

“There will also be a survivor lap [Saturday] as well, so hopefully we will have some dogs that are also cancer survivors,” Stelmasiak said.

Each animal that participates in Saturday’s walkathon will receive a goody bag, with a Frisbee, bandana and food scoop, Stelmasiak said.

The organizer is hoping that at least 30 pets participate this weekend, Stelmasiak said.

“It’s for a good cause,” she said. “It’s a great way for people to come out and enjoy their Halloween morning and show off their dogs.”