Barks and Recreation - Hope, Healing, and Paws Unite

Meet The Alphas

Wish Of A Lifetime

Barks and Recreation

A Social Event Sparking Community for Veterans and Service DogsJoin us for Barks and Recreation, a fun-filled interactive event sparking community in support of veterans with PTSD and their service dogs. This uplifting gathering brings together community members for an evening of food, fun, fundraising, prizes, giveaways and meaningful connection.September 18, 2026VSP at 3333 Quality Drive, Rancho Cordova6:00pm – 9:00pm$45 per person/$85 per coupleLearn about our mission and discover how your participation will impact the lives of many!!

Stars & Stripes Dog Rescue

Barks and Recreation: A Journey of HopeExperience a one-of-a-kind immersive event where storytelling meets action. Grab an Event Passport, explore interactive art stations, and meet the rescue dogs and veterans your support empowers.Join Stars &amp; Stripes Dog Rescue and Wish of a Lifetime for a day of community, food trucks, and life-changing inspiration.One day. Two missions. Endless impact.

Origin Stories

Community Mural StationMake your mark! Add your hand print and name to our giant vinyl mural—a colorful symbol of our collective support for veterans and seniors.<ul><li>Impact: Represents your contribution to the SSDR &amp; WOAL missions.</li><li>Perk: Get your passport stamped here to move closer to winning door prizes!</li></ul>

Community Mural

Kindness Card Station Spread the love! Write a heartfelt note to a senior or veteran to brighten their day. This simple gesture brings our mission of connection to life—one card at a time.<ul><li>Action: Write a message, get a stamp, and make a difference.</li><li>Goal: Turning small words into big smiles for those who served.</li></ul>

Legacy Quilt Design

Wishing Jars Station What’s your wish for the future? Write it down and place it in our jars to join a collective display of hope. It’s a powerful way to align your dreams with the mission of Wish of a Lifetime.<ul><li>Action: Share a wish, get a stamp.</li><li>Goal: Inspiring a community of dreamers to support our seniors.</li></ul>

Wishing Jars

Kindness Card StationSpread the love! Write a heartfelt note to a senior or veteran to brighten their day. This simple gesture brings our mission of connection to life—one card at a time.<ul><li>Action: Write a message, get a stamp, and make a difference.</li><li>Goal: Turning small words into big smiles for those who served.</li></ul>

Kindness Cards

At the MoviesStep into the spotlight and see the mission in action! Relax and watch short films and powerful testimonials that showcase the real-life stories of the veterans and seniors we serve.<ul><li>Action: Watch a story, get a stamp.</li><li>Goal: Moving images that move the heart—see exactly how your support changes lives.</li></ul>

At The Movies

Reflection RotundaStep into a quiet space of deep connection. This immersive installation features hanging photos and powerful stories of the veterans and seniors we serve, allowing you to see the faces and lives transformed by your support.<ul><li>Action: Walk through the gallery, get a stamp.</li><li>Goal: A moment of pause to honor the legacy and resilience of our community members.</li></ul>

Reflection Rotunda

Doggy Meet &amp; GreetThe heart of our mission! Come meet the incredible rescue dogs and the veterans they support. It’s the perfect spot to see the real-world impact of your generosity firsthand.<ul><li>Action: Say hello to the pups, get a stamp, and feel the love.</li><li>Goal: Connecting our community with the furry heroes of Stars &amp; Stripes Dog Rescue.</li></ul>

A man and his best friend. Treasure Beach, Jamaica

Doggy Meet'n'Greet

Fish for a WishReel in a gift! Use a magnetic pole to "catch" a prize tagged with a special wish for your future. It’s a fun, nostalgic way to align with the dreams supported by Wish of a Lifetime.<ul><li>Action: Catch a wish, keep the gift, and get your stamp.</li><li>Goal: A playful reminder that every dream—big or small—is worth chasing.</li></ul>

A brazilian kid, fishing alone in the lake.

Fish for a Wish

Barks and Recreation: Engaging Experiences

Shop prints, framed prints, and canvas prints starting at $9! http://ryanstonephotography.com

Gallery

Dogs swim at Splash Dance 2018 at the Ross Park pool with tennis balls in Pocatello, Idaho.

Vegan goods market South Africa Cape Town

Dogs splash, retrieve, and meet and greet at the 2025 Splash Dance in Pocatello on September 20, 2025.

A woman reaches out to grab her dog during the 2025 Splash Dance dog swimming event on September 20, 2025, in Pocatello, Idaho.

This is Rocky Balboa, my Red Rough Brussels Griffon. We got him age 5 months - he was earmarked to be one of the breeder’s show dogs, but a change in circumstances meant we got to have him instead. He was initially very unaccustomed to city life, a little ball of nervous energy, who was scared of the hustle and bustle. 
This is him 18 months on at the Country Griffon Club of New South Wales Show in Australia, about to enter his very first show. It was my first dog show too, but I wanted to give him a chance to shine. We both absolutely loved it - and his confident strut made my heart melt.

A Labrador does a big dive into the pool at Ross Park's Splash Dance 2018 in Pocatello, Idaho.

Dog NameCharacter of the dog. A few sentences.Sponsored by if applicable

Alpha 1

Alpha 2

Alpha 3

Alpha 4

Alpha 5

Alpha 6

Veteran First Name &amp; Military BranchShort Bio of the veteran

USA American national flag - Star-Spangled Banner 

Veteran 1

Veteran 2

Veteran 3

Veteran 4

Veteran 5

Veteran 6

Veteran 7

Veteran 8

Veteran 9

Veteran 10

Veteran 11

Veteran 12

Meet The Veterans

Stars And Stripes Dog Rescue -- Updates on the Pack Section to be updated on an ongoing basis. Need ability for text, post pictures and videos. No updates allowed by anyone other than admins.