The Kansas City T-Bones are excited to host the inaugural Bark in the Park on Sunday, July 25 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark!

In association with Purina, Paw Prints Magazine, and YourDogsHeart.com, the T-Bones invite their fans to bring their dogs out to CommunityAmerica Ballpark on Sunday, July 25 for a night of Northern League baseball!

YourDogsHeart.com will have a mobile unit at the ballpark for the event where fans can visit with and get information from knowledgeable workers.  Also, be sure to visit their site online for educating articles for pet owners regarding the care and protection of their canine companions.

About 11 percent of the nearly 75 million dogs in the United States have heart disease, and that figure increases to as many as 60 percent among aged dogs and certain predisposed breeds. Yet, a national survey shows that more than half of dog owners are unaware that their dog may be at risk of heart failure.

 "Early diagnosis and treatment of heart failure can significantly prolong and improve the quality of a dog's life," says Dr. Kevin Christiansen, DVM, a Kansas City veterinarian with the Mobile Dog Heart Health Tour. "We look forward to educating local dog owners about heart disease in dogs and the treatment options. By emphasizing the importance of annual veterinary examinations and early diagnosis of heart disease, we hope to help more dogs live longer and better lives."

One such case is Max, a handsome 3-year-old Great Dane from Kauffan, Texas. When owner Holly Barnes began to notice the tell-tale signs of a possible heart condition in Max (coughing, less playful, labored breathing) she immediately sought out a heart examination from their veterinarian and Max was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Thanks to Holly’s awareness and proactive behavior, Max was diagnosed sooner and treatment was started early. "Max's activity levels have nearly returned to normal, and his endurance and breathing ability have substantially increased. If it were not for the availability of Vetmedin, Max most likely would not be with us today. He certainly would not have the same quality of life he's had over the last few months."

A special area near the right-field lawn portion of the ballpark will be sectioned off, and complimentary pet sitting will be available as no dogs are permitted on the main concourse. For more information on this event, and to register for the special ticket prices, call the T-Bones box office at 913-328-5618 or download the registration form here