Pooches and their owners can play while helping people with disabilities.

Dog Daze at Belmar, an annual fundraiser for Canine Partners of the Rockies, will have fun activities for breeds of all shapes and sizes, while raising money to train and place service dogs for Colorado residents with disabilities. Dog Daze at Belmar will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 23 and June 24, 2007.

Doggies can be pampered with massages, or have their paws painted or read by a psychic. They also can show off their talents in agility runs, a talent show or bobbing for tennis balls. Their owners can purchase dog art or photo portraits as well.

"This event raises money to fund service dog partnerships in Colorado," said Meri McCormick, executive director of CaPR. "For people with a disability, service dogs are more than helpful, loving companions. They become partners in life and can assist with tasks such as switching on a light, retrieving a dropped item or even pulling a wheelchair. Service dogs fulfill these important tasks with 'dogged' determination and unconditional love."

The event also will feature an agility team exhibition as well as the talents of other specially trained dogs such as canine flyball teams, disc dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, herding dogs and bomb-sniffing dogs.

The event is free and open to the public. Dog Daze at Belmar is being held at Belmar Square, a 2.1-acre park located at the intersection of South Teller Street and West Virginia Avenue in Lakewood. For more information, call 303-399-4575 or visit www.caninepartnersoftherockies.org.

Canine Partners of the Rockies, CaPR, trains and places service dogs for "mobility limited" Colorado residents to facilitate greater independence with the activities of daily living.

Belmar is a 104-acre, mixed-use development located at Wadsworth Boulevard and West Alameda Avenue in Lakewood, and serves as the downtown for the City of Lakewood. Belmar includes shops, restaurants, entertainment, cultural activities, offices, homes and plenty of free parking. For more information visit www.belmarcolorado.com.