Pack Spotlight: Fenway Bark

Where a family's passion for caring didn't stop with children—it simply found four legs

By Charlene Arsenault

Some businesses are built around a product. Fenway Bark was built around a philosophy.

For more than 30 years, the Cunha family operated childcare centers, creating safe, enriching places where children could learn, grow, and thrive. When they decided to open a dog daycare, they didn't leave that philosophy behind—they simply adapted it for four-legged family members.

"We realized dogs deserve that same level of care," said Tara Cunha, director of operations at Fenway Bark. "It was never just about supervision—it was about creating a safe, enriching environment where children could learn, grow, build confidence, and have fun."

That same approach now defines Fenway Bark.

Instead of simply providing a place for dogs to spend the day, the Clinton-based business focuses on enrichment, structured play, socialization, and individualized attention. Dogs participate in activities ranging from scent games and puzzles to themed experiences and group lessons designed to build confidence and good manners.

"We don't believe dogs should spend eight hours simply running around a room," Cunha said. "Just like people, dogs need a balance of physical exercise, mental stimulation, social interaction, rest, and individual attention."

That commitment extends to every interaction. Fenway Bark's Canine Coaches are Fear Free Certified, giving them specialized training to recognize signs of stress and help every dog feel safe, comfortable, and confident.

"Our goal isn't just for dogs to leave tired," Cunha said. "It's for them to leave happy, confident, and excited to come back."

Tara Cunha, Fenway Bark's director of operations

That philosophy is one reason Fenway Bark has become a longtime supporter of Pet Rock Fest.

"Pet Rock Fest represents everything we believe in—bringing together animal lovers, supporting local rescue organizations, and celebrating the incredible bond between people and their pets," Cunha said. "It's more than just a fun event. It raises awareness and much-needed funds for animals in need while giving local businesses, rescues, and pet professionals the opportunity to come together for a common cause."

For the Fenway Bark team, being involved also means giving back to the community that has supported them since the beginning.

"We love meeting new families, reconnecting with our existing clients outside of daycare, and introducing people to our enrichment-based approach to dog care," Cunha said. "Most importantly, it's just a great day. Seeing thousands of people come together with their dogs, learning from one another, supporting rescues, and celebrating everything we love about our pets reminds us why we do what we do."

At its heart, Fenway Bark's mission is simple.

"We're family-owned, and we treat every dog like they're part of our own family," Cunha said. "When you leave your pup with us, you're placing your trust in us, and we take that responsibility seriously."

We're grateful to have Fenway Bark as part of the Pet Rock Fest family and thankful for its continued commitment to enriching the lives of dogs—and the people who love them.

Second Chance Animal Services receives $150,000 ASPCA grant for mobile veterinary unit

The new Community Support Vehicle brings low-cost preventive and basic veterinary care directly to pets and families facing transportation and financial barriers

By Charlene Arsenault

Ready to hit the road: The new Second Chance Community Support Vehicle, parked outside the North Brookfield hospital. The mobile unit was made possible by a grant from the ASPCA to help bring veterinary care to pets and families in need.

Second Chance Animal Services has received a $150,000 grant from the ASPCA to help purchase a mobile veterinary unit that will expand access to care for pets and families across the region.

The new Community Support Vehicle will allow Second Chance veterinary teams to bring preventive and basic care directly into communities, reaching pet owners who may have difficulty traveling to a veterinary hospital or affording traditional services.

The vehicle will be used at low-cost vaccine clinics across Massachusetts and will also support the organization’s Homebound to the Rescue program, which provides low-cost or no-cost veterinary care in senior and low-income communities.

“Access to veterinary care should never depend on a family’s ability to travel or overcome transportation barriers,” said Sheryl Blancato, chief executive officer of Second Chance Animal Services. “We are incredibly grateful to the ASPCA for this generous investment.”

Blancato said the vehicle will allow Second Chance to provide basic care on the road while connecting animals that need more advanced treatment with the organization’s hospitals.

“Together, these services help keep pets healthy, with the families who love them, and out of shelters,” she said.

Second Chance has provided community-based veterinary outreach for more than 16 years. The organization said the new vehicle is expected to triple its capacity to bring clinics into underserved neighborhoods and help pet owners before a lack of care becomes a crisis.

That early intervention can be especially important for seniors, people with disabilities and low-income families who may deeply love their pets but struggle to reach or pay for veterinary services. By bringing care closer to home, Second Chance hopes to prevent unnecessary pet surrenders and keep more animals with the people who love them.

“Lack of access to affordable veterinary care is among the top reasons families are forced to make the heartbreaking decision to relinquish their pet to a shelter,” said Karen Walsh, vice president of animal relocation at the ASPCA.

Walsh said the ASPCA was honored to support Second Chance’s work expanding veterinary access and helping animals remain healthy and in loving homes.

The ASPCA has provided more than $250 million in grant funding to animal shelters, rescue groups, government agencies and other organizations nationwide since 2001.

More information about Second Chance Animal Services is available at secondchanceanimals.org.

🐾 Pack Spotlight: Tito's Handmade Vodka

How a few stray dogs helped inspire one of Pet Rock Fest's biggest supporters

For years, Tito's Handmade Vodka has been known as the "Vodka for Dog People," supporting animal welfare organizations through its Vodka for Dog People initiative. This year, that commitment comes to Pet Rock Fest as Tito's joins the festival as a major sponsor, helping support the event's mission of improving the lives of animals throughout New England.

What's surprising is how it all began.

"Dogs have been a part of the Tito's Handmade Vodka story since the very beginning," the company said. "What started as lending a hand to a few dogs that found their way to the area surrounding the Tito's distillery has turned into a global initiative focused on helping pets and their people."

Today, that initiative supports animal wellbeing nonprofits around the world, helping fund affordable veterinary care, adoptions, spay and neuter services, and other programs that strengthen the bond between people and their pets. Over the past five years alone, Tito's has supported more than 2,500 animal-focused nonprofits.

One organization especially close to the company's heart is Emancipet, an Austin-based nonprofit that has spent more than two decades providing affordable veterinary care. Tito's has also partnered with numerous organizations here in Massachusetts, including Greater Dog Rescue of New England, Second Chance Animal Services, NISHA, Sweet Paws Rescue—and now, Pet Rock Fest.

For Tito's, giving back isn't simply part of a marketing campaign.

"Giving back has been a part of our DNA for almost 30 years," the company said. Through its broader philanthropic program, Love, Tito's, the company has supported more than 20,000 nonprofits over the past five years, encouraging employees to volunteer, support local causes, and give back in their own communities.

The connection to Pet Rock Fest was a natural one.

"Our Northeast Field Sales Manager, Victoria Lewis, met Pet Rock Fest founder Charlene Arsenault while she was fostering dogs for East Coast Canine Rescue, and the connection between Vodka for Dog People and the mission of Pet Rock Fest was felt immediately," the company said. "This year, Tito's is honored to be a part of Pet Rock Fest and hopes to inspire more people and companies to support animal rescues and shelters who are making a difference each and every day."

Lewis has fostered nine dogs herself through East Coast Canine Rescue and says one of the simplest ways people can make a difference is by supporting local rescues.

"That could mean adopting, volunteering, or fostering," she said. "Opening up your home even for just a short amount of time can make a life-changing difference for a pet in need."

At the end of the day, Tito's hopes people remember one thing.

"Giving back to your community, no matter how big or how small, creates a ripple of good," the company said. "Thank you for all you do to support animals in your communities and for giving Tito's the chance to be a part of it."

We're proud to have Tito's Handmade Vodka as part of the Pet Rock Fest family and grateful for its commitment to helping animals and the people who love them.